tl;dr
Since 2019, crypto kidnapping cases have risen globally, with Europe leading at 59 cases over six years, followed by North America with 48, and Asia recording 62 cases mainly in Southeast Asia. The US experienced the highest number of such incidents since 2019, despite recent increases in France. Cr...
The US recorded the highest number of crypto kidnapping cases since 2019, despite a recent rise in France.
Europe leads globally with 59 crypto kidnapping incidents over six years, followed by North America with 48 cases.
Criminals increasingly use physical threats to steal digital assets, expanding attacks beyond North America and Europe to Southeast Asia.
High-profile abductions of crypto executives and their families highlight the growing physical danger linked to digital asset holdings.
Notable incidents include the kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland in France and a prolonged captivity case in New York.
Binance data shows a correlation between rising Bitcoin prices and an increase in crypto kidnapping and ransom demands.
In 2025, at least 15 crypto kidnapping cases have been reported, indicating attackers’ growing willingness to use violence to access funds.
Since 2019, crypto kidnapping cases have risen globally, with Europe leading at 59 cases over six years, followed by North America with 48, and Asia recording 62 cases mainly in Southeast Asia.
The US experienced the highest number of such incidents since 2019, despite recent increases in France.
Criminals increasingly use physical threats and kidnappings to steal digital assets, targeting crypto executives, traders, exchange staff, business owners, and sometimes their families or tourists with wallet credentials.
Notable incidents in 2025 include the kidnapping of Ledger's co-founder in France and an Italian tourist held captive in New York.
Binance reports a correlation between rising Bitcoin prices and increased physical attacks, with at least 15 such cases documented in 2025 involving ransom demands in Bitcoin.
Europe remains the region with the most crypto kidnapping incidents, with 59 cases in 6 years, while North America saw 48 cases during the same period.
Asia has recorded 62 cases, mostly in Southeast Asia.
France has seen six such cases recently, three of which occurred in 2025 alone.
Victims include crypto executives, traders, exchange staff, business owners, and sometimes their families or tourists suspected of carrying valuable wallet credentials.
One of the most serious incidents in 2025 was the abduction of David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, and his wife in France.
Another attempt took place in Paris, where armed men reportedly tried to abduct the daughter and grandchild of a French crypto exchange CEO.
In New York, John Woeltz was arrested for kidnapping and torturing an Italian tourist for weeks in a luxury Manhattan apartment.
Binance data highlights a clear pattern: as Bitcoin prices rise, attacks involving physical threats also climb.
In 2025, at least 15 such attacks have been documented, many involving ransom demands paid in Bitcoin.
This trend signals attackers’ increasing willingness to resort to violence and intimidation to access digital assets.