Armed Break-In Targets Binance France President Amid Rising Crypto Crime Wave

Armed men attempted to break into the home of Binance France President David Prinçay on Thursday morning, highlighting a growing surge in crypto-related crime across France. According to French media outlet RTL, three hooded suspects entered a residential building in Val-de-Marne around 7:00 a.m. on February 12. The individuals, reportedly armed, were searching for Prinçay’s apartment but fled after discovering he was not home.

Reports indicate the suspects forced another resident to assist them in locating the correct apartment. Police confirmed that the attackers searched the Binance executive’s residence before leaving with two stolen mobile phones. Just over two hours later, at approximately 9:15 a.m., authorities in Hauts-de-Seine responded to a separate violent incident in Vaucresson, where a resident was assaulted with rifle butts by hooded men.

Investigators later connected the two attacks. Surveillance footage allegedly showed the same vehicle at both locations, and the stolen phones were traced to the second crime scene. Witnesses reportedly heard the suspects admit they had the wrong address before fleeing once again.

French law enforcement quickly launched a coordinated operation involving the Paris Brigade de Répression du Banditisme (BRB), regional police units, and transport authorities. The suspects were tracked via public transportation after boarding a train to Lyon. Authorities alerted Lyon’s BRI unit, which arrested the three men at Lyon Perrache station later that day. The investigation remains ongoing.

Binance co-founder Yi He confirmed on X that Prinçay and his family are safe. The attempted home invasion adds to a troubling rise in crypto-linked kidnappings, extortion attempts, and violent robberies in France throughout 2025. Law enforcement reports suggest criminals are increasingly targeting crypto executives and wealthy investors using data from dark web leaks and social media profiling, raising concerns about security within the digital asset industry.