In the first half of the year, France experienced 77 cases of cryptocurrency kidnapping, and the Interior Minister promised to strengthen response measures

According to Cointelegraph, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that there were 77 crypto-related kidnapping extortion cases in France in the first half of 2026, a significant increase from 45 cases in all of 2025. France is one of the largest hotspots for "ransomware attacks" globally, with about 11% of the population holding crypto assets. Authorities have launched a rapid alert system, with 724 people registered, and emergency measures have led to the arrest of 200 individuals. Nuñez pledged to implement a three-part plan to enhance security measures in the crypto industry, including strengthening intelligence sharing, deepening cooperation with ADAN, and improving coordination among security departments. CertiK stated that France has become a center for attacks due to several leading crypto companies and their executives being based locally, the presence of a "show-off culture and voluntary identity disclosure culture" within the community, and multiple sensitive data leaks.