- Binance France executive targeted in coordinated home invasion; suspects arrested in Lyon.
- France recorded 19 verified wrench attacks in 2025, leading the global incident share.
- Stolen phones and vehicle tracking linked Paris-area raid to second Vaucresson attack.
A failed home invasion targeting a senior executive at Binance’s French affiliate has intensified scrutiny of a growing pattern of physical attacks against cryptocurrency figures. In early February 2026, assailants attempted to break into the Paris-area residence of David Prinçay, president of Binance France, in what authorities and industry trackers describe as part of an escalating trend of so-called “wrench attacks,” where criminals use force to obtain access to digital assets.
According to reports, three hooded men first forced entry into the wrong apartment on February 12 before reaching Prinçay’s residence. He was not home at the time. The suspects stole two mobile phones and fled. Binance later confirmed that an employee had been targeted and stated that the individual and his family were safe.
Suspects Arrested After Second Attack
Hours after the attempted break-in, the same group allegedly carried out another home invasion in Vaucresson, a commune west of Paris. French media reported that the attackers assaulted a crypto entrepreneur inside the residence after gaining entry. During the incident, a woman reportedly overheard the suspects questioning whether they had the correct address, citing confusion over house numbers.
Law enforcement tracked the stolen phones and the vehicle used in both incidents to Lyon. The three suspects were arrested at Lyon Perrache station. Authorities linked the same car to the attempted raid on Prinçay’s home and the Vaucresson attack.
Reports indicate that during the initial attempt, the suspects asked other residents in the building to direct them to Prinçay’s apartment, suggesting prior knowledge of their intended target. French outlets described the sequence as coordinated rather than opportunistic.
France Sees Disproportionate Share of Cases
The incident aligns with data compiled by Bitcoin security researcher Jameson Lopp, which shows France recorded 19 verified wrench attacks in 2025. That figure represents more than double the total reported in the United States and accounts for over a quarter of documented global cases.
Tracking into early 2026 indicates that France continues to register a large share of such incidents. Recent cases have included home invasions, street abductions, and family targeting.
In a public statement following the attack, Binance CEO Richard Teng said the company’s French colleague and his family were safe and cooperating with law enforcement.
Related: Binance Impounds 94% of $12.5M Funds Stolen from Abducted Execs
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