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

A surge in crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions has put France at the forefront of a global rise in wrench attacks, prompting government officials to take action. This year alone, the country has seen at least 41 such incidents, averaging one every two to three days. The trend is not limited to France, with security researchers and law enforcement data indicating a 75% increase in verified physical coercion incidents globally in 2025. The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, often targeting crypto holders. Researchers note that attackers are shifting from scanning for technical vulnerabilities to building profiles of potential victims, tracking their social media activity, public appearances, and routines to identify points of weakness. The problem is exacerbated by insider leaks and compromised state data, which can feed directly into wrench attacks. The pool of potential victims has widened, with mid-level holders and even families being targeted. Cases have involved prolonged captivity, torture, and severe violence, making the attacks harder to categorize by severity. Security 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.