In a disturbing development underscoring the rising security threats facing high-profile figures in the crypto industry, shocking video footage has surfaced showing a failed broad daylight kidnapping attempt on the daughter and grandson of Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat in Paris’ 11th district.
Armed Attack in the Heart of Paris
As reported by AFP and corroborated by France24, the incident involved four masked and armed men who were seen jumping out of a van and assaulting a couple with a child on a busy Parisian street. The attackers attempted to force the woman and child into their vehicle, while her partner was violently beaten for resisting.
Remarkably, the woman managed to fight back, grabbing one of the attackers’ handguns and throwing it away. Her brave resistance, along with the screams and commotion, drew the attention of nearby passersby, forcing the attackers to flee the scene.
The getaway van was later found abandoned nearby. All three victims sustained minor injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment.
Victims Linked to Prominent Crypto Executive
According to French media outlet Le Parisien, the woman involved is the daughter of Pierre Noizat, CEO and co-founder of Paymium, one of France’s oldest cryptocurrency exchange platforms. The child is believed to be Noizat’s grandson.
The case is currently under investigation by the Brigade for the Suppression of Banditry (BSB), a specialized division of France’s Ministry of the Interior focused on organized crime and high-risk criminal activity.
Growing Trend of Crypto-Related Abductions
This latest attack adds to a troubling series of violent incidents targeting crypto investors and executives around the world:
- Earlier this month, the father of a crypto-millionaire was kidnapped by a group demanding ransom payments in cryptocurrency. Authorities later arrested seven suspects in connection with the case.
- In Las Vegas, three Florida teenagers allegedly abducted a man following a crypto event, forcing him to transfer $4 million worth of digital assets before abandoning him in a remote desert. The teens face multiple felony charges including kidnapping, robbery, and extortion.
- In January 2025, social media rumors falsely claimed that Ledger CEO Erich Larchevêque had been kidnapped, though the news was swiftly debunked.
A Stark Warning for the Crypto Community
As crypto assets remain attractive and often difficult to trace, industry leaders and wealthy holders are increasingly being targeted for extortion and violence. Experts warn that security protocols and personal safety measures must be reassessed as crypto adoption grows.
The attempted kidnapping of Pierre Noizat’s daughter and grandson highlights just how real and urgent the threats are, especially in an industry where wealth can be digitally transferred under duress.
