Crypto Holders Under Siege: The Alarming Rise of Wrench Attacks in France

A surge in crypto-related kidnappings has put France at the forefront of a global rise in wrench attacks, with the country experiencing one such incident every two to three days. The trend has prompted government officials to take action, with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and Minister Delegate Jean-Didier Berger preparing new measures to tackle the issue. A prevention platform has already been launched, but further steps are needed to address the growing problem. The rise of wrench attacks, which involve using physical force to extract access to digital assets, has been fueled by the increasing value of cryptocurrencies and the ease with which attackers can coerce victims into handing over their assets. According to security researchers, the number of verified physical coercion incidents globally has increased by 75% in 2025, with many more cases going unreported. The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, and for some attackers, it is easier to coerce a person than to break encryption. Researchers say that attackers are now identifying victims by building profiles, tracking social media activity, public appearances, and leaked datasets, and looking for points of weakness. The problem is exacerbated when attackers receive insider information from government officials, as seen in a case where a French tax official sold sensitive data to wrench attackers. The pool of potential victims has widened, with mid-level holders increasingly being targeted, sometimes based on limited or indirect signals. Anybody can be a potential victim, with cases now including families and children being targeted alongside crypto-holding parents. The attacks have become more frequent, brazen, and violent, with cases involving prolonged captivity, torture, and even murder. Security experts point to measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits as ways to reduce the risk of wrench attacks by limiting how much can be accessed under duress. As crypto adoption grows, attacks are becoming more frequent and severe, turning what was once a niche concern into a broader security risk.