France Sees Spike in Crypto-Linked Kidnappings: 88 Charged, 75 Held

France's National Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (PNACO) says kidnappings and illegal detentions tied to cryptocurrencies are rising sharply, according to ChainCatcher. Across 12 active investigations, prosecutors have filed charges against 88 people—including more than 10 minors—while 75 suspects have been placed in pretrial detention. Prosecutors' data show that since 2023, French authorities have logged 135 crypto-related cases: 18 in 2024, 67 in 2025, and 47 so far in 2026. The cases often feature violent abductions, ransom demands, and coerced transfers of crypto assets. Authorities also say some suspects recur across multiple files, pointing to a potentially organized criminal network. The kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland is cited as a notable sign of growing security risks for France's crypto sector.