Binance France President David Prinçay was the target of an attempted armed home-jacking in the Val-de-Marne region this week, according to a report by RTL France. The incident marks the latest in a series of physical security threats targeting individuals connected to the digital asset industry, underscoring the growing real-world risks facing high-profile crypto figures.
Armed Intruders Sought Binance France Director
The attack reportedly unfolded on February 12, when three masked and armed men forced their way into a residential building where Prinçay resides. The suspects initially entered the wrong apartment while searching for their intended target and forced the resident to show them the correct address. However, they fled the scene upon realizing that the crypto exec was not home, but not before stealing two mobile phones from the apartment.
Investigators later linked the suspects to a second attempted intrusion in Vaucresson the same day. During that incident, a resident sustained head injuries. Authorities believe both attempts were part of a coordinated effort targeting individuals perceived to hold substantial wealth in digital assets.
Law enforcement agencies moved swiftly following the attacks. Using phone tracking data and surveillance footage, police identified and pursued the suspects across multiple jurisdictions. Coordination between regional police units and France’s elite Brigade de Recherche et d’Intervention (BRI) led to the arrest of three individuals at Lyon-Perrache train station later that day.
The suspects are now in custody as authorities continue their investigation. Officials have not disclosed whether the attackers had direct knowledge of the executive’s holdings or whether the attempt was based on publicly available information regarding the individual’s position within Binance France.
Rising Physical Threats in the Crypto Sector
The attempted home invasion highlights an increasingly concerning pattern across Europe and beyond. As cryptocurrency adoption has expanded and digital asset valuations have grown, certain executives, entrepreneurs, and prominent investors have become targets for organized criminal activity. The episode also arrives amid ongoing reputational scrutiny facing Binance and other major exchanges globally.
France, in particular, has seen several high-profile cases involving crypto-linked kidnappings and extortion schemes in recent years. Criminal groups view digital assets as attractive ransom vehicles due to their liquidity and global transferability. Unlike traditional bank accounts, they are often perceived as more immediately accessible once private keys or access credentials are obtained.
Although Binance itself was not directly compromised, nor was the intended target harmed, the incident may prompt internal security reviews and enhanced protective measures.
The CoinRemark Team
Temitope Olajide
