Binance France President Targeted in Armed Kidnapping Attempt

Armed men attempted to break into the home of Binance France President David Prinçay on Thursday morning, marking the latest in a growing wave of crypto-linked attacks across France.

According to French outlet RTL, three hooded individuals entered a residential building in the Val-de-Marne region around 7:00 a.m. on February 12. They were reportedly armed and searching for Prinçay’s apartment.

However, the attackers fled after discovering he was not at home.

Armed Commando Flees, Then Strikes Again

Local reports suggested the group first forced another resident to help them locate the correct apartment. Police said the suspects searched the Binance executive’s residence before leaving with two stolen phones.

Shortly afterward, at approximately 9:15 a.m., police in Hauts-de-Seine responded to another incident. A resident in Vaucresson reported being struck in the head with rifle butts by hooded men.

Authorities later linked the two events.

According to RTL, surveillance footage showed the suspects using the same vehicle seen earlier in Val-de-Marne. The stolen phones were also traced to the second location.

Witnesses reportedly overheard the attackers saying the address was incorrect before fleeing again.

Arrested at Lyon Perrache Station

French law enforcement launched a coordinated operation involving the Paris Brigade de Répression du Banditisme (BRB), police units from Hauts-de-Seine, Val-de-Marne, Yvelines, and transport police.

Investigators tracked the suspects via public transportation.

The three men boarded a train to Lyon. Authorities alerted the Lyon BRI unit, which intercepted and arrested them at Lyon Perrache station later that day.

They are now in custody. The investigation remains ongoing.

Binance Co-Founder Yi He addressed the incident on X, confirming that the targeted executive and his family are safe.

Is France Becoming a Haven for Crypto Crime?

The attempted attack comes amid a surge in crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions across France.

In May 2025, French police arrested more than 20 suspects linked to a series of kidnappings in the greater Paris area and surrounding regions, where criminals targeted affluent crypto investors.

Throughout 2025, French law enforcement continued to dismantle cells linked to crypto-focused extortion. 

Investigations revealed that attackers frequently used private information obtained from dark-web leaks or social-network scraping to profile potential targets.

Methods ranged from staged home invasions — often in the early morning — to coordinated abductions and forced movements between locations to evade detection.