[Increase in Crypto-Related Kidnapping Cases in France, Pnaco Has Prosecuted 88 Individuals] Deep Tide TechFlow reports, on April 25, according to *Le Monde*, the French National Organized Crime Prosecutor's Office (Pnaco) revealed that since 2023, kidnapping and extortion cases related to cryptocurrency have surged dramatically—only 18 cases in 2024, skyrocketing to 67 cases in 2025, and reaching 47 cases in 2026, totaling 135 cases. Among the 12 ongoing cases, 88 individuals (including over 10 minors) have been formally prosecuted, and 75 individuals have been temporarily detained. Prosecutor Vanessa Perre pointed out that investigations have identified multiple individuals repeatedly involved in several cases, uncovering the existence of a structured criminal network. Typical cases include: - December 2025, three masked assailants in Charente forced a couple to transfer approximately €8 million in cryptocurrency. - January 2025, Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped. Pnaco stated that it will continue to strengthen nationwide criminal enforcement efforts.