French crypto bosses have reacted with fear and anger after a series of violent kidnappings. While some have stepped up security and are considering bodyguards, others are calling for the right to bear arms, a tougher crackdown on crime plus deregulation to keep the crypto paper trail more anonymous.

On Tuesday, a masked gang tried to abduct the daughter of Pierre Noizat, the CEO of the French crypto firm Paymium, from a street in Paris in broad daylight.

It was at least the third such attack in recent months.

In January, the co-founder of French crypto company Ledger and his wife were kidnapped, while in May the father of a crypto company head was snatched. All were rescued but both men lost a finger.

A ransom in cryptocurrency was paid during the kidnapping of the Ledger co-founder, but quickly recouped by investigators.