Global Surge in Crypto Kidnappings Sparks New Fears for Digital Asset Holders

[etfs]

A Dec. 1 kidnapping in Val-d’Oise, France — targeting the father of a Dubai-based crypto entrepreneur — highlights a sharp rise in physical attacks tied to digital wealth.
Jameson Lopp, Casa’s chief security officer, has tracked more than 225 verified attacks in his six-year database, with 2025 cases up 169%. While theft by force isn’t new, criminals are increasingly shifting from cash and gold to crypto, where victims can be coerced into transfers on the spot.
The U.S. leads in total incidents, but per-capita risk is highest in the UAE and Iceland, driven by bull-market activity and OTC dealmaking.

[Nahid Hossen]

A worrying trend—offline threats are becoming more common.

[Abdul Khan]

Security awareness is now essential for every crypto holder.