France Becomes a Hotbed for Crypto-Related Kidnappings and Wrench Attacks

A surge in crypto-related kidnappings has put France under the international spotlight, prompting government officials to acknowledge the scale of the problem and implement new measures to tackle the issue. At least 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions have been reported in France this year, occurring at a rate of approximately one every two to three days. The country has become the epicenter of a global rise in wrench attacks, with security researchers and law enforcement data indicating that attacks on crypto holders are becoming more frequent and violent worldwide. In 2025, there were 72 verified physical coercion incidents globally, representing a 75% increase from the previous year. The trend is attributed to the increased use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, as it is often easier to coerce a person than to break encryption. 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 leaked datasets to identify 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 expanded to include mid-level holders, with cases involving families and children being targeted alongside crypto-holding parents. Experts emphasize that anybody can be a potential victim and that the biggest avoidable mistake is tying real-world identity, location, and routine too tightly to visible crypto wealth. To reduce the risk of wrench attacks, security experts recommend measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits to limit access to funds under duress.