Armed Intruders Attempt to Extort Cryptocurrency in France

Two masked men armed with guns invaded a couple's home in Arles, southern France, at 5 a.m. on Saturday, attempting to force a cryptocurrency transfer. The victims were bound and threatened for over two hours, with their young child present in the residence. One of the intruders was armed with a firearm, while the other carried a knife, demanding valuables through cryptocurrency transactions. Investigators have yet to confirm whether the couple possessed any digital assets and their quantity. The victims' screams drew the attention of neighbors, who subsequently contacted the Arles police station. By the time officers arrived, the intruders had escaped, and neither has been arrested; the case has been handed over to the organized and professional crime department in Nîmes. This incident comes amid a spate of violent attacks in France targeting individuals suspected of holding cryptocurrency, with approximately 80 cases of kidnapping, unlawful detention, or extortion related to cryptocurrency recorded in the country since January. According to CertiK's "2026 Mid-Year Personal Attack Report," France accounts for 33 out of 52 verified cases globally, with home invasions rising from one in the first half of 2025 to 20 a year later.

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