French crypto executive assaulted in violent robbery, zip ties used as a weapon

According to PANews on January 13, France has recently experienced another violent robbery targeting crypto industry executives. A crypto investment executive and their family were attacked at their home in Verneuil-sur-Seine by three armed assailants. The family was beaten and bound with zip ties, prompting widespread concern within the industry about personal safety.

Frequent Violent Incidents, Zip Ties as New Crime Tools

According to Decrypt, this incident is not an isolated case. In the same region, a similar attack occurred near Cholet the day before, where another investor was kidnapped and beaten, then abandoned 50 kilometers away. Criminals used violence threats and tools like zip ties to force victims to hand over crypto assets. These cases all employed similar violent methods and tools, indicating the operation patterns of organized crime groups.

Crypto Assets as Robbery Targets, Security Gaps Raise Alarm

France has recently seen a series of similar violent robberies, with criminal groups specifically targeting crypto investors. These incidents typically involve home invasions, threats to personal safety, and asset extortion, exposing security vulnerabilities faced by industry practitioners. Beyond direct physical harm, such cases often reveal deeper data leaks—criminals may have prior knowledge of targets’ identities and asset sizes through information leaks.

Industry Warning: Prevention and Response Are Urgent

These events serve as a wake-up call. Crypto executives and asset holders need to strengthen personal security measures and improve awareness of information protection. The widespread use of tools like zip ties indicates that criminals have developed relatively complete methods of operation. French law enforcement agencies and crypto industry associations should enhance cooperation to jointly address the growing threat of violent crimes against crypto professionals.