Since 2019, the United States has been the country with the highest number of recorded cases, but Europe remains the most affected region.
According to a Binance report, the United States is the country that has recorded the greatest number of crypto-related kidnapping cases since 2019, despite a recent increase in incidents in France.
At the regional level, however, Europe remains the area with the highest number of crypto-related kidnappings: 59 cases over six years. During the same period, North America — which includes the United States and Canada — recorded 48 cases. Particularly notable is the data concerning the entire Asian continent, where 62 cases of crypto-related kidnappings have been documented, most of which are concentrated in Southeast Asian countries.
France emerges as a concerning hotspot for crypto kidnappings, with six recent cases, three of which have already occurred in 2025.
The primary targets of these kidnappings include executives of crypto companies, professional traders, exchange employees, and entrepreneurs in the sector. Family members and close associates of victims are often targeted as well. An emerging phenomenon involves tourists suspected of possessing large amounts of cryptocurrency funds.
Kidnapping cases in 2025
The year 2025 has already seen particularly serious episodes of kidnappings linked to the digital asset world. The most notable case involved David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, and his wife, who were abducted from their residence in France earlier this January. The incident drew international attention from both the crypto industry and law enforcement agencies.
Another attempt took place in Paris, where armed men tried to kidnap the daughter and granddaughter of the CEO of the French exchange Paymium. Overseas, in New York, police arrested 37-year-old John Woeltz after discovering that an Italian tourist had been held captive and mistreated for weeks in a luxury Manhattan apartment.
Binance highlights a direct correlation between the price trend of Bitcoin and the increase in kidnappings. Since Bitcoin reached new all-time highs this year, attacks involving physical threats have also increased proportionally, the exchange suggests.
In 2025 alone, at least 15 kidnapping episodes have already been documented, many involving ransom demands denominated in bitcoin.
