Two major crypto events canceled after city hit by 18 violent physical attacks on crypto holders amid market downturn

NFT Paris and RWA Paris 2026 have been officially canceled, with organizers citing the severe market collapse and inability to sustain costs despite drastic cuts. This cancellation occurs against a concerning backdrop in France, where there has been a string of at least 18 violent physical attacks targeting individuals perceived to hold crypto, including kidnappings and home invasions, reported over the past year.

While the organizers officially attribute the cancellation to financial pressures—a common fate for events during crypto downturns when sponsor confidence and spending diminish—the pervasive safety concerns likely act as a significant constraint. The rise in physical threats shifts the community's focus from financial risk to personal security, making high-profile events riskier for speakers, sponsors, and attendees who must weigh visibility against potential danger.

The contrast between the canceled NFT event and other scheduled institutional crypto events in Paris suggests that while retail-facing, sentiment-driven gatherings suffer, events focused on tokenization and institutional finance, which operate on longer planning horizons, may still proceed. Ultimately, the situation highlights a critical juncture where a soft market combines with a fearful atmosphere, fundamentally changing the calculus for public community gatherings.

(Source：CryptoSlate)