The Alarming Rise of Crypto-Related Kidnappings in France and the Global Surge in Wrench Attacks

A disturbing trend is emerging in France, where crypto-related kidnappings, known as wrench attacks, are becoming increasingly frequent, brazen, and violent. This shift was evident during a recent international blockchain and crypto conference, where a police motorcade escorted VIP guests to a dinner at the Palace of Versailles, and security was reinforced at the Carrousel du Louver. Government officials acknowledged their alarm at the scale of the problem, revealing that France has suffered at least 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions this year, equivalent to one every two to three days. Minister Delegate to the Interior Ministry, Jean-Didier Berger, announced that a new set of measures is being prepared to tackle the growing issue, including a prevention platform that has already drawn thousands of registrations. However, authorities admit that further steps are needed as incidents continue to rise. 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. According to security researchers and law enforcement data, the trend is also on the rise globally, with 72 verified physical coercion incidents reported in 2025, a 75% increase from the previous year. Many more cases go unreported, and the problem is exacerbated when attackers receive insider information from government officials. 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 biggest avoidable mistake is tying real-world identity, location, and routine too tightly to visible crypto wealth. The pool of potential victims has widened, with mid-level holders increasingly being targeted, sometimes based on limited or indirect signals. Cases now include families, with children targeted alongside crypto-holding parents, making the attacks harder to categorize by severity. In one notable case, Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped in France along with his partner, and during the attack, one of his fingers was severed and sent to associates as part of a ransom demand. Other cases have involved prolonged captivity and torture, such as one in New York, where a crypto investor was held for more than two weeks. 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.