In brief
- The CEO of Binance France was the target of a home invasion attempt by three intruders, according to a local news report.
- The executive and his family are safe, and the three individuals were arrested later that day.
- Physical attacks for crypto, or “wrench attacks,” were on the rise last year with $41 million in confirmed losses according to CertiK.
A trio of criminals attempted to rob the CEO of Binance France, but only made away with two cell phones before being arrested later that day, according to a local news report from RTL News.
The report did not name the executive, but David Prinçay holds the role CEO of Binance France. The executive was not home when the intruders entered his residence, and they fled shortly thereafter.
“We’re aware of reports concerning one of our colleagues in France. He and his family are safe and working closely with law enforcement,” Binance co-CEO Richard Teng posted on X. “Authorities have informed us that three individuals have been arrested. The investigation remains active, and we are cooperating fully.”
A spokesperson for Binance told Decrypt that it “would not comment on specific details to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation and ensure the safety of all involved individuals.”
According to the local news report, the assailants first entered a different residence in the building while seeking directions to the executive’s apartment. Later, the trio used the same vehicle, captured in CCTV footage, to travel to another residence. There they were reportedly overheard discussing an incorrect address before fleeing the scene.
Around this time, police were mobilized and were able to track the group on public transport, before they were apprehended and taken into custody at the Lyon Perrache train station.
“Good to hear David and his family are safe. This highlights the importance of safety and privacy,” Binance co-founder and former CEO Changpeng Zhao posted on X.
The failed invasions were the latest in a series of attempted or completed crypto-related physical attacks in France, often called “wrench attacks.” Last week, six individuals were arrested after kidnapping a magistrate and seeking a crypto ransom, plus multiple reported physical attacks took place in January.
Last month, a cybersecurity expert told Decrypt that France has experienced “one of the most visible waves of violent, crypto-linked kidnappings and extortion attempts in the EU.” It was also home to one of last year’s most high-profile wrench attacks, which involved the kidnapping of another crypto executive, Ledger co-founder David Balland.
A database of wrench attacks compiled by Casa co-founder and Chief Security Officer Jameson Lopp lists 14 physical wrench attacks since the year began—11 of which are labeled as occurring in France.
Wrench attacks jumped 75% year-over-year in 2025 and reached a record high in confirmed crypto losses, totaling nearly $41 million, according to a report from blockchain security firm CertiK.
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