In a shocking escalation of violence targeting cryptocurrency executives, France’s Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has called an emergency security summit following the Paymium CEO kidnapping attempt that nearly saw Pierre Noizat’s daughter and grandson abducted in broad daylight.
The May 13 attack in Paris’ 11th arrondissement has sent shockwaves through Europe’s crypto community, exposing the growing risks faced by digital asset entrepreneurs.
After the Paymium CEO kidnapping attempt: masked assailants foiled by quick-thinking bystanders
The Paymium CEO kidnapping attempt unfolded when three masked men ambushed Noizat’s 28-year-old daughter as she walked with her partner and 3-year-old son near Place de la Bastille. Witnesses described the assailants attempting to force the victims into a white van before a café worker intervened with a fire extinguisher.
“I heard screaming and saw a young woman struggling against men in balaclavas,” testified Marc Lefèvre, the barista whose actions disrupted the kidnapping.
“When I sprayed the extinguisher, they panicked and fled like rats.” Police later found the abandoned van containing zip ties and chloroform rags—hallmarks of a professional abduction plot.
This Paymium CEO kidnapping attempt marks the fourth high-profile crypto-related kidnapping in France since 2023. Security analysts suggest that criminals are shifting tactics from digital theft to physical extortion as blockchain tracing improves.
Government vows crackdown on crypto-targeted crimes
Interior Minister Darmanin’s emergency meeting, scheduled for May 21, will include executives from Ledger, Paymium, and other French crypto firms.
“We cannot allow France to become a hunting ground for crypto criminals,” Darmanin declared during a press conference. “These gangs mistakenly believe cryptocurrency professionals are easy targets.”
The Paymium CEO kidnapping attempt has exposed critical security gaps. Unlike traditional finance executives who benefit from state protection, crypto entrepreneurs often lack formal security frameworks. Pierre Noizat himself confirmed via Twitter that he’d received no prior threats, making the attack “a complete shock to our family.”
Epidemic of “wrench attacks” sweeps crypto sphere
Security firm Crystal Blockchain reports a 217% surge in physical crypto crimes globally since 2022. The Paymium CEO kidnapping attempt mirrors a disturbing pattern dubbed “wrench attacks”—a reference to the XKCD comic depicting thieves using physical force to bypass digital security.
“Your Trezor won’t save you from a taser,” remarked cybersecurity expert Jameson Lopp, whose GitHub database tracks 22 confirmed wrench attacks in 2024 alone. “The Paymium case proves even family members are now fair game.”
Recent incidents paint a grim picture:
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January 2024: Ledger co-founder Pascal Gauthier escapes kidnapping after police raid a Marseille safehouse
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March 2024: Swiss Bitcoin advocate Luca Merli hospitalized following a chloroform attack
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April 2024: Dubai-based trader pays $4.2 million ransom after gunmen hold his mother hostage
Paymium CEO kidnapping attempt: Crypto community debates security solutions
In the wake of the Paymium CEO kidnapping attempt, industry leaders are divided on solutions. Some advocate for decentralized security networks, while others push for government-backed protection.
“Anonymity is the only real shield,” argues Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith. “But when you’re a known entity like Noizat, you need ex-DGSE bodyguards, not just VPNs.”
Contrastingly, Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire insists on institutional cooperation: “We’re working with Interpol to establish crypto executive protection protocols. The Paymium incident should be a wake-up call.”
Psychological toll on crypto families
Beyond physical harm, the Paymium CEO kidnapping attempt has inflicted deep psychological wounds. Noizat’s daughter has reportedly left France temporarily, while crypto executives across Europe are reassessing family security arrangements.
“My children now have panic buttons sewn into their school bags,” shared a Paris-based DeFi founder who requested anonymity. “The Paymium case made us realize—we’re all targets.”
As authorities investigate possible connections between the Paymium CEO kidnapping attempt and earlier crimes, one chilling detail emerges: the abandoned van contained a dossier with transaction histories of multiple French crypto executives. Investigators fear this could signal a coordinated campaign.
With the security summit days away, France stands at a crossroads—will it become the first nation to implement state-level protections for crypto professionals, or will the Paymium CEO kidnapping attempt merely be the first chapter in a darker story? For now, the industry holds its breath, waiting to see if words will translate into actionable security measures. The Bit Gazette will keep an eye on this story and report developments.
