France to Boost Crypto Sector Security Amid Rising Crime Wave

France is set to bolster security measures for those involved in the cryptocurrency sector, which has become a prime target for criminal networks. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that 77 incidents, including sequestrations, kidnappings, and extortion attempts, have been recorded this year, a sharp increase from 45 in the previous year.

Nuñez acknowledged the legitimacy of concerns within the industry, assuring that emergency measures implemented a year ago have proven effective. He highlighted that 200 individuals have been arrested in connection with these crimes, either after the fact or proactively. The minister cited an example where perpetrators were apprehended just eight hours after a crime occurred in the Somme region.

The new, more ambitious plan will operate on three key pillars. Firstly, it will strengthen intelligence exchanges, which Nuñez described as fundamental and highly effective, especially given that some masterminds operate from abroad. Secondly, the ministry will enhance its partnership with the Association of Digital Asset Holders (Adan), establishing a network of experts from both the crypto industry and relevant state agencies. The third pillar involves reinforcing operational coordination among security services to neutralize criminals and improving cooperation with countries where perpetrators are based.

Nuñez pointed to a past success where the arrest of a Franco-Moroccan suspect in Morocco in June 2025, believed to have orchestrated several kidnappings in the crypto sphere, including the high-profile case of Ledger co-founder David Balland, led to a sudden halt in such activities. This series of crimes had intensified in Paris from January to May of that year, causing widespread fear among crypto stakeholders.