The Alarming Rise of Crypto-Related Violence: How France Became a Hotbed for Wrench Attacks

A surge in crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions, known as wrench attacks, has put France under the international spotlight. The country has witnessed at least 41 such incidents this year, averaging one every two to three days. Government officials have expressed alarm at the scale of the problem, prompting the preparation of new measures to tackle the issue. A prevention platform has already been launched, but further steps are needed as incidents continue to rise. The trend is not unique to France, with a 75% increase in verified physical coercion incidents globally in 2025, according to Certik and crypto researcher Jameson Lopp's data. The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, which can be easier for attackers than breaking encryption. Researchers say the way attackers identify victims has shifted from scanning for technical vulnerabilities to building profiles based on social media activity, public appearances, and leaked datasets. The problem is exacerbated when attackers receive insider information from government officials. The pool of potential victims has widened, with mid-level holders increasingly being targeted. Cases now include families, with children targeted alongside crypto-holding parents, making the attacks harder to categorize by severity. Experts point to measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits as ways to reduce risk 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.