Encryption wealth attracts "murderous intentions": 22 kidnappings in 5 months, how should practitioners protect themselves?

Wealth is visible, safety is priceless.

Written by: Fairy, ChainCatcher

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

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

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

Kidnapping Incident Sparks Political Attention

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 the targets of 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 the assailant's weapon, causing chaos. After bystanders intervened, the kidnappers fled in a panic.

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

The Global Spread of Cryptocurrency Violence

The attempted kidnapping 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 crypto practitioners or their family members globally in the first five months of 2025. This number is nearly on par with the total for the entire year of 2023 (24 attacks) and approaches the total for 2024 (32 attacks). What is concerning is that these are only the publicly disclosed cases, and the real number may be much higher.

Attacks are not limited to any 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 asset scales, while social media statements reveal activity trajectories, and lifestyles hint at economic strength. As risks spread from the virtual world to real life, how can we protect the personal and property safety of ourselves and our families?

True security begins with awareness and is reflected in every detail of life. ChainCatcher has compiled some practical suggestions to help you establish a true security barrier from your daily routine:

Being low-key is the most reliable layer of protection.

Try to avoid exposing your assets, trading profit screenshots, etc. If you are a public figure KOL or trader, it is advisable to "anonymize" your on-chain address to avoid directly associating your identity with large assets.

Do not disclose location information indiscriminately ###

Many people are accustomed to posting content on social media like "Just arrived in Singapore" or "Gathering in Central Hong Kong tonight," which significantly lowers the cost of being "precisely tracked." It is recommended 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 proper separation of on-chain and real-world identities.

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

Meetings should be approached with caution, and friends should also be verified.

Some criminals are setting 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, office building lobbies), inform friends of your whereabouts in advance, and establish a regular check-in mechanism.

Set "home" as a part of the security system.

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

Security awareness is the '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 nearby should also have basic prevention awareness, such as not disclosing location information or asset status over the phone, and knowing how to identify phishing emails and scam messages. For high-net-worth individuals, the entire family can often become a potential target for attacks, so all members should receive basic education in digital and physical security.

emergency response plan

If you manage a large amount of crypto assets, it is advisable to develop 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 password" mechanism with trusted contacts, so that you can send a distress signal if coerced. For high-risk groups, consider purchasing "kidnapping and ransom insurance" or hiring a professional security team.

Wealth is visible, security is priceless

When violence becomes the most primitive "private key extractor," no amount of 2FA can help. We have long been accustomed to securing our assets, yet often overlook the most vulnerable part: our own flesh and blood.

Cold wallets can protect wealth, and a calm security awareness can save lives.