Pavel Durov has publicly linked France’s wave of crypto-related kidnappings to alleged tax data leaks that may have exposed wealthy digital asset holders to organized criminal networks.

According to Durov, the growing number of abductions and violent extortion attempts targeting crypto investors is not random, but the consequence of sensitive ownership information falling into the wrong hands. He pointed to both large-scale database breaches and the alleged sale of taxpayer records by a former French tax employee as a likely source of victim identification.

The accusation comes as France experiences an alarming rise in so-called “wrench attacks” — physical kidnappings, torture, and hostage situations aimed at forcing crypto holders to surrender wallet access or pay ransoms. Reports suggest the country has recorded more than 40 such incidents since the start of 2026, an unusually high concentration for a single jurisdiction.

Among the most disturbing cases was the abduction of David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, who was kidnapped alongside his wife in an attack that shocked the European crypto industry. Several additional incidents this month involved families of crypto entrepreneurs being held hostage inside their homes.

Durov argues that once government-held financial records identifying crypto ownership are leaked or sold, criminals no longer need blockchain forensics to find targets — they simply receive a precompiled list of individuals likely to control significant digital wealth.

The comments have intensified a wider debate now spreading across Europe: as crypto wealth becomes easier to trace through KYC records, tax filings, and exchange disclosures, cybersecurity is no longer just about protecting private keys — it is increasingly about protecting personal identity and physical safety.
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