- Wave of cryptographic kidnappings
- Notre-Dame towers reopened
Changpeng Zhao, former executive director of Cryptocurrency Exchange Binance, recently made a pessimistic observation about France, claiming that the second largest economy in the European Union has gone “downhill” in recent years.
Zhao has indicated a wave of cryptocurrency kidnappings that have occurred in France in recent years, as well as the controversial arrest of the Telegram CEO, Pavel Durov, which took place last August.
That said, Zhao expects things to improve for one of the main EU countries.
It is also worth noting that France also launched a probe in Binance in early 2025, according to Reuters.
Wave of cryptographic kidnappings
France has repeatedly reached the headlines this year in Crypto Media due to a wave of kidnapping related to cryptocurrencies.
In January, the co -founder of Ledger, David Balland, was kidnapped from his home in the center of France, with his kidnappers demanding a rescue of 10 million euros. Balland had one of his fingers cut during a kidnapping before being rescued by France’s elite security forces.
In May, the father of a millionaire of cryptocurrency was kidnapped before being rescued by the police. During the same month, the daughter of the CEO of Paymium, Pierre Noizat, was attacked by masked men along with her son. The masked attackers tried unsuccessfully to force her to a truck.
Approximately 25 people connected to the worrying kidnapping series have been charged by the French authorities. New security measures adapted for cryptography professionals have also been introduced.
Notre-Dame towers reopened
Zhao’s criticism to France occurs after the reopening of the medieval twin towers of Notre-Dame. He took five years to rebuild them after the devastating fire that occurred in April 2019.
CZ says that Binance donated to the restoration of Notre-Dame “quite early”, and adds that it is good to see that the iconic milestone is finally reopening.
“I hope it helps to make France a safer country (even if it is only somehow),” said CZ.
