Crypto-kidnappings: 6 out of 10 French people want to protect themselves, crypto holders already do

Welcome to the club. According to an Elabe survey for BFMTV published on Wednesday, October 21, 61% of French people believe that they need to "protect themselves by their own means." Crypto holders did not wait for the violence of the weekend to protect themselves. For the past year and a half, crypto-kidnappings have converted them to asset self-defense. Masked addresses, split wallets, kidnapping insurance: the toolkit is well-known, as highlighted by Laurent Nuñez's plan.

Key points of this article:

• Cryptocurrency holders have adopted asset self-defense measures in response to a rise in crypto-kidnappings, with 77 incidents reported since January.
• A survey reveals that 61% of French people find it necessary to protect themselves by their own means, considering the authorities overwhelmed by recent violence.

Crypto-kidnappings: 77 incidents in six months, holders must protect themselves

The figure comes from Laurent Nuñez himself. On June 30, in front of the Adan, the Minister of the Interior reported 77 "kidnappings, abductions, extortions, or attempts" since January. This marks a significant increase over the year, according to a report published by Capital. Furthermore, during the same period, police and gendarmerie had arrested 200 individuals. The minister's new plan relies on shared intelligence with the sector. Additionally, it aims for better coordination of services and more cooperation with countries where the perpetrators hide.

The state is acting, therefore. But on the ground, potential victims must first protect themselves. Guidelines from the community advise first to not show one's face or assets on social media. Next, one never publishes their wallet addresses. Finally, funds should be spread across multiple wallets, some of which are multisig (requiring multiple signatures to move funds). Thus, under threat, a single person cannot yield everything. The insurance market has also followed suit. According to France Épargne, Nexus Mutual has been offering kidnapping and ransom coverage for crypto holders since February. Premiums range from 0.75% to 2% of the capital covered annually.

In crypto-kidnappings, the profile of the perpetrators does not help one sleep peacefully. Among the 88 individuals charged, there are more than ten minors. Perpetrators based abroad often recruit them. However, the alert system sometimes works very quickly. On June 26, in the Somme, a victim was able to alert the ministry's platform. The gendarmes arrested the assailants eight hours later.

Elabe Survey: 61% of French people want to protect themselves

Elabe surveyed 1,001 people online on October 20 and 21, just after the violence on Saturday, October 17. The survey asks the question directly. Should one "protect themselves by their own means" because "law enforcement can no longer protect the population"? Or is it a case of "a temporary failure"? The first response prevails at 61%, against 37%.

This is not exactly fear. Only 49% of respondents fear for their physical safety or that of their property. Conversely, 50% do not worry. If so many French people want to protect themselves, it is because 74% consider the authorities "overwhelmed". And 90% demand expedited procedures and harsher penalties. A majority thus concludes that the crypto community has been practicing since 2025, even without feeling threatened.

Looting and crypto-kidnappings: the same reflex

The parallel between the survey and crypto-kidnappings has its limits. A storefront looting and a targeted kidnapping do not fall under the same crime. And bitcoin played no role in the violence of Saturday. However, the reflex is identical. When in doubt about the state, one seeks to protect oneself by reducing their exposure.

On October 17, the violence resulted in one death in Paris and led to 2,397 arrests. Rioters partially set fire to the headquarters of the neobank Qonto. For its part, the Minister of the City now estimates the cost at over one billion euros.

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