🛑 Binance France CEO escapes home invasion as crypto crime rises in France.
In a series of events that reads like a chaotic thriller, Binance France CEO David Prinçay (and his family) escaped harm after his home was targeted in an attempted invasion on February 12, 2026. $BTC
The incident highlights a disturbing trend of "wrench attacks"—physical violence used to extort digital assets—which have seen a significant rise in France and across Europe recently.
Timeline of the Attempted Robbery
The suspects, described as three masked and armed individuals, displayed a mix of aggression and striking incompetence:
7:00 AM (Val-de-Marne): The trio broke into an apartment but realized it was the wrong one. They forced the neighbor at gunpoint to point out Prinçay’s door.
The Break-In: They breached Prinçay’s home and ransacked it. Fortunately, Prinçay was not home at the time. The attackers fled with only two mobile phones. $OM
9:15 AM (Vaucresson): Still searching for a target, the group broke into another home and pistol-whipped a woman. However, they realized they had once again failed to find their target. The victim overheard them arguing that "Stéphane lives at number 41," likely referring to a different local crypto entrepreneur.
The Arrest: Police tracked the stolen phones and used CCTV to identify the getaway vehicle. The three suspects were intercepted and arrested at the Lyon Perrache train station later that day. $DASH
Official Response
Binance Co-Founder Yi He and former CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) both issued statements confirming that their "French colleague" and his family are safe. The company has emphasized that it is working with law enforcement to enhance security protocols for high-profile employees.