22 kidnappings in 5 months, encryption wealth attracts "murderous intent"

Editor: TB, ChainCatcher

Where do you live? What time do you usually leave? Have you ever shared your crypto assets on social media?

These seemingly harmless pieces of information are becoming navigation coordinates for criminals in the real world. As Bitcoin breaks historical highs and crypto assets enter the mainstream, it's not just institutions that are paying attention; violent criminals are also eyeing on-chain wealth and you off the chain.

The wave of violence involving kidnapping, coercion, and extortion may be more serious than we imagine.

The kidnapping incident has raised concerns in the political arena.

Recently, a video has been widely circulated on the X platform: the daughter and grandson of the co-founder of the French cryptocurrency exchange Paymium were recently involved in an attempted armed kidnapping in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. Four masked assailants ambushed them, trying to forcibly drag the mother and son into a van. The woman fiercely resisted and managed to seize one of the assailants' weapons, causing chaos, and after bystanders intervened, the kidnappers fled in a panic.

The incident quickly attracted public attention and even stirred the French political arena. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has announced an emergency meeting with cryptocurrency industry practitioners this Friday to discuss how to respond to the increasing threats of violent kidnappings targeting cryptocurrency entrepreneurs.

The Global Spread of Crypto Violence

The attempted kidnapping incident in Paris is just the tip of the iceberg in a series of violent threats facing the cryptocurrency industry.

According to statistics from the public tracking tool created and maintained by Casa's Chief Technology Officer Jameson Lopp, there have been at least 22 recorded physical attacks against cryptocurrency practitioners or their relatives worldwide in the first five months of 2025. This number is nearly equal to the total for the entire year of 2023 (24 incidents) and is approaching the total for 2024 (32 incidents). What is concerning is that these are only the publicly disclosed cases; the actual number may be much higher.

Attacks are not limited to a specific region. France, Brazil, Hong Kong, the Philippines... wherever crypto wealth goes, the risk of violence spreads. We have compiled some cases:

How to build a safety barrier in life?

On-chain addresses expose the scale of assets, social media statements reveal activity traces, and lifestyle hints at economic strength. When risks spread from the virtual world to real life, how should we protect ourselves and our family's personal and property safety?

True security starts with awareness and is implemented in every detail of life. ChainCatcher has compiled some practical suggestions to help you establish a real security defense from your daily routine:

Discretion is the most reliable layer of protection

Try to avoid exposing your assets, trading profit screenshots, and so on. If you are a publicly known KOL or trader, it is recommended to "anonymize" your on-chain address to avoid directly associating your identity with substantial assets.

Do not disclose location information casually

Many people are accustomed to posting content on social media such as "Just arrived in Singapore" or "Gathering tonight in Central Hong Kong," which greatly reduces the cost of being "precisely tracked." It is advisable to delay posting location updates to avoid revealing your permanent residence, travel routes, and hotel addresses. During industry conferences, try to keep your accommodation and itinerary confidential.

Ensure a clear separation between on-chain and real-world identities

High-net-worth wallets should try to disconnect from social identity associations. Avoid making ENS domain names, address abbreviations, and X usernames too similar to reduce the possibility of social graphs being reconstructed.

Meetings require caution, and friends also need verification

Some criminals set traps under the guise of "business negotiations" and "offline meetings." In over-the-counter transactions, it is advisable to choose monitored public places (such as Starbucks or office building lobbies), inform friends of your whereabouts in advance, and establish a regular safety check-in mechanism.

Set "home" as part of the security system

Consider using a business address to receive deliveries. Installing smart locks, cameras, and alarm systems not only enhances security capability but also provides countermeasures in case of danger.

Security awareness is a 'consensus agreement' among family members

Security awareness should not be solely the responsibility of individuals. Even if one remains vigilant, family members, children, or assistants should also possess basic preventive awareness, such as not disclosing location information or asset status over the phone, and understanding how to identify phishing emails and scam messages. For high-net-worth individuals, the entire family can often become potential targets for attacks, so all members should receive basic education on digital security and physical security.

Emergency Response Plan

If you manage a large volume of cryptocurrency assets, it is advisable to establish an "emergency strategy" to ensure that even in the event of an attack, funds can be prevented from being quickly transferred. At the same time, establish an "emergency code" mechanism with trusted contacts, so that you can send a distress signal in case of coercion. For high-risk groups, consider purchasing "kidnapping and ransom insurance" or hiring a professional security team.

! 22 kidnappings in 5 months, crypto wealth provokes "killing"

Wealth is visible, security is priceless.

When violence becomes the most primitive "private key extractor", no amount of 2FA can help. We are already accustomed to defending our assets, yet we often neglect the most vulnerable part: our own flesh and blood.

Cold wallets can protect wealth, and a calm security awareness is essential for survival.