France Sees Alarming Rise in Crypto-Related Kidnappings and Home Invasions

A surge in crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions, known as wrench attacks, has put France at the center of a global issue. The country has experienced at least 41 such incidents this year, equivalent to roughly one every two to three days. This alarming trend prompted government officials to address the problem at a recent blockchain and crypto conference in Paris. Minister Delegate to the Interior Ministry, Jean-Didier Berger, announced plans to introduce new measures to tackle the issue, including a prevention platform that has already garnered thousands of registrations. However, authorities acknowledge that more needs to be done to combat the rising number of attacks. The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to gain access to digital assets, often proving easier for attackers than attempting to break encryption. According to security researchers and law enforcement data, the global trend is also on the rise, with 72 verified physical coercion incidents reported in 2025, representing a 75% increase from the previous year. Many more cases are believed to go unreported. Researchers note that attackers are shifting their approach from targeting 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 further complicated when attackers receive assistance from government officials, such as in a widely reported case where a French tax official sold sensitive data to wrench attackers. The pool of potential victims has expanded, with mid-level holders increasingly being targeted based on limited or indirect signals. Cases now include families, with children being targeted alongside crypto-holding parents, making the attacks harder to categorize by severity. In some instances, attacks have involved prolonged captivity and torture, such as the kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland in France, who was rescued after a police operation. Security experts point to the increasing coordination among attackers, with some groups operating with defined roles and pre-planning, including surveillance and follow-home tactics. After obtaining funds, attackers tend to move quickly, frequently converting crypto assets into stablecoins and routing them across multiple chains, making recovery more difficult. France's role in this trend may be attributed to a mix of factors, including cases involving leaked personal data and cross-border criminal networks. Rising asset prices have increased the potential payoff from a single attack, while improvements in digital security have reduced the effectiveness of purely technical exploits. The increase in attacks has raised questions about the risks of self-custody, a core principle of cryptocurrency. Some security experts recommend measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits 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.