Binance confirms France CEO targeted in Feb 12 home invasion

What happened: Attempted home invasion targeting Binance France CEO; no injuries

On Feb. 12 near Paris, three intruders allegedly targeted the head of Binance’s French unit in a botched home invasion; no injuries were reported, as reported by Forbes. Authorities intervened and the executive and family were unharmed.

French police subsequently arrested three suspects in connection with the incident, according to the same report. An investigation was opened and initial indications point to a failed attempt to physically coerce access related to digital assets.

Why it matters: Surge in crypto ‘wrench attacks’ and safety risks

Physical coercion against crypto professionals, often called “wrench attacks”, poses risks that digital security alone cannot mitigate. Such incidents typically attempt to force victims to surrender device access or credentials under duress, elevating duty-of-care obligations for employers and heightening executive-security requirements.

Based on data from CertiK, confirmed physical attacks on crypto personnel rose 75% in 2025 to 72 cases globally, placing this episode within a broader upward trend. The figures indicate that the threat environment has expanded beyond online exploits to include organized, real-world targeting.

Company leaders publicly emphasized safety and cooperation with authorities following the incident. “The employee is safe, and we’re grateful for the swift response by the BRB,” said Yi He, co-founder of Binance.

Immediate impact: Three arrests; BRB investigating; identity unconfirmed by Binance

According to Cointelegraph, three individuals were arrested in Lyon and the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme (BRB) is leading the probe. The outlet also reported that the company has not confirmed the identity of the executive involved, despite multiple media mentions.

At the time of this writing, Binance Coin (BNB) traded around 616.07 with sentiment described as Bearish, 14.63% volatility (very high), and an RSI-14 near 26.45 (oversold). Short-term technical context also showed 13 green days over the past 30 (43%), while price sat below the 50- and 200-day simple moving averages cited in recent readings.

Security response: Measures Binance and industry adopt after the incident

A review of public executive statements and law-enforcement acknowledgments indicates immediate cooperation with investigators and a renewed emphasis on employee safety. In practice, post-incident steps typically include escalating liaison with specialist police units such as the BRB, reassessing executive travel and residential protocols, and tightening access controls around sensitive workstreams.

Industry-standard measures commonly extend to advance route planning, discretion around identifiable routines, separation of personal and work devices, and the use of duress and panic features where lawful. Firms also refresh staff training on incident reporting and rehearse playbooks that prioritize rapid notification of authorities and preservation of evidence while avoiding confrontation.