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France responds with new security measures as a string of crypto kidnappings shakes the nation. With three happening in 2025, authorities believe the events are connected.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is working to arrest the perpetrators, protect leading crypto entrepreneurs, and train law enforcement. Still, the father of the most recent victim does not seem satisfied with the measures.

Crypto Kidnapping Wave Strikes France

Typically, crypto thefts take place through hacks and social engineering scams, but that isn’t always the case. In January, a French crypto co-founder was kidnapped in an attempt to steal his private key; he was rescued, but attackers cut a finger off.

Another kidnapping happened in early May, followed by a third attempted this week: a spree is burning through France.

In particular, the details of this last attempted kidnapping shocked the people of France. One woman, the daughter of an exchange’s CEO, was attacked in broad daylight with her partner and 2-year-old child present.

The incident was largely captured on video, further sparking public horror. In response, the authorities have introduced new security measures:

“These repeated kidnappings of professionals in the crypto sector will be fought with specific tools, both immediate and short-term, to prevent, dissuade and hinder in order to protect the industry,” claimed Bruno Retailleau, France’s Interior Minister.

France has enacted a few specific methods to counteract these ambitious kidnapping efforts. Several French crypto leaders have been invited to safety briefings and will receive priority access for emergency calls and regular home visits.

Additionally, law enforcement officers will undergo training on crypto money laundering to better target perpetrators.

Minister Retailleau claimed that several kidnappers have already been arrested. He is also organizing a meeting of France’s prominent crypto entrepreneurs, but the kidnapping victim’s father is unsatisfied.

Pierre Noziat, CEO of Paymium, told local reporters that he believed this upcoming meeting is only a “communications operation.”

Officials believe these kidnappings are all part of a greater ring, and are taking efforts to track and arrest its members across France.

Hopefully, their investigations will bear fruit. Other countries have also seen aggressive criminals stealing keys and hardware wallets, but a violent conspiracy like this is unprecedented.

The post France Enforces Strict Security for Crypto Leaders After Latest Kidnappings appeared first on BeInCrypto.

A city-wide smart infrastructure initiative enters a new phase with a multi-million-dollar expansion and a growing Web3 footprint.

Târgu Mureș, located in central Romania, is actively using NeoTech’s AI-powered 3D mapping technology to modernize urban systems. This is not a new move; the partnership began back in 2022, with strong support from local officials. 

Through NeoTech’s 2 cm-accurate 3D mapping, the city can model roads, buildings, public green spaces, and infrastructure assets in high fidelity. This data is already being applied to real-world planning, from simulating public works projects to visualizing zoning decisions.

In one notable use case, Târgu Mureș opened an international architectural competition using NeoTech’s 3D models. Architects worldwide used the digital twin to design a new parking structure entirely virtually without ever stepping foot in the city.

From Infrastructure to On-Chain Revenue

In collaboration with both the City Hall and Mureș County Council, NeoTech is now executing a seven-figure agreement to expand its digital twin infrastructure across the region, making it one of the most comprehensive municipal 3D mapping deployments in Eastern Europe.

The latest phase of the partnership will see over $100,000 in revenue reinvested directly into the NEOT token ecosystem. This approach connects physical infrastructure with digital economies, starting from a city contract to platform revenue to on-chain buybacks and token utility.

It’s a tangible demonstration of how Web3 technology can serve public sector goals while supporting tokenized ecosystems.

Political Support and Long-Term Vision

Mayor Zoltan Soos has been a supporter of the technology, noting the city’s ability to track investments, improve accountability, and forecast urban change, all through NeoTech’s interface.

“We are impressed by the results… We can follow in real time all the costs, budget and investments,” said the Mayor.

This kind of support highlights the growing institutional appetite for decentralized platforms that offer practical value.

What Sets NeoTech Apart

NeoTech combines LiDAR-based scanning, AI-powered processing, and blockchain-based asset tokenization, all into a single platform. Its sub-2cm digital twins are used not only by city governments but also by metaverse developers, real estate firms, and virtual tourism platforms.

Key features include:

• Ultra-precise mapping for smart cities
• NFT-based asset ownership for real-world locations
• Tokenized infrastructure with built-in monetization
• B2B marketplace for licensing digital assets

The company has already scanned over 500 cities across seven countries, with more deployments in progress. Unlike traditional GIS platforms that silo data, NeoTech enables shared access, tokenized ownership, and decentralized governance. Assets can be rented, traded, or used in metaverse applications, all tied back to verifiable real-world locations.

This model opens up new possibilities in areas like: urban planning, digital advertising, immersive simulations, AI training datasets, on-chain asset trading, etc.

Looking Ahead

With Târgu Mureș as a leading example, NeoTech is now in discussions with additional municipalities and private sector partners in Europe, the Middle East, and North America. The goal is to expand the smart city network and the on-chain economy that supports it.

As cities continue to explore new models for managing data, planning infrastructure, and engaging citizens, NeoTech offers a working blueprint.

About NeoTech

NeoTech is a leading AI-powered 3D mapping and RWA tokenization company with a strong foundation in enterprise geospatial solutions. Having worked with governments, municipalities, and businesses in Romania, NeoTech is now expanding into Web3 to bring real-world asset ownership to blockchain.

The post NeoTech Lands Major City Deal as Romania’s Târgu Mureș Scales Its Digital Twin Infrastructure appeared first on BeInCrypto.