Key Takeaways
- Chainalysis CEO says criminals mistakenly imagine Bitcoin is untraceable.
- Two high-profile crypto-related kidnappings occurred in Paris this month.
- France’s authorities is participating with the crypto trade over rising threats.
Two high-profile crypto-related kidnappings in Paris this month could also be rooted in a significant false impression: that Bitcoin is untraceable.
Chainalysis CEO Jonathan Levin addressed the problem in the course of the 2025 Consensus convention, arguing that some organized crime teams nonetheless imagine Bitcoin transactions can’t be tracked.
Levin stated:
For no matter motive, there’s a notion… that crypto is an asset that’s untraceable. Apparently, the know that crypto just isn’t untraceable hasn’t been obtained by among the organized crime teams… concentrated in, you realize, France, however not completely.
Latest kidnapping incidents
The feedback comply with two tried kidnappings focusing on crypto executives’ households in Paris.
On Might 13, three attackers tried to abduct the daughter and grandson of Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat.
Earlier, on Might 3, police rescued the daddy of one other crypto entrepreneur from a €7 million ($7.8 million) ransom plot.
Authorities & trade response
In response, France’s inside minister has met with crypto trade leaders to deal with rising security considerations.
Traceability & regulation enforcement success
Levin emphasised that crypto ransoms are more and more traceable and recoverable, noting that regulation enforcement has made…
… numerous arrests.
He added that assaults aren’t all the time worthwhile and infrequently end in prison networks being held accountable.
Levin stated:
There’s the flexibility to doubtlessly recuperate a few of these funds as properly.
Ongoing threats & precautions
Regardless of progress, Levin warned that bodily assaults stay a risk and urged people to restrict private data shared on-line.