Crypto Holders Under Siege: The Alarming Rise of Wrench Attacks in France

A surge in crypto-related kidnappings has put France at the forefront of a global rise in wrench attacks, with the country experiencing at least 41 such incidents this year, averaging one every two to three days. The phenomenon has prompted government officials to acknowledge the scale of the problem and announce plans to introduce new measures to tackle it. The increase in wrench attacks, which involve the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, has been attributed to the growing value of cryptocurrencies and the relative ease of coercing individuals compared to breaking encryption. According to security researchers, the trend is not limited to France, with a 75% increase in verified physical coercion incidents globally in 2025. The attacks often involve sophisticated planning, with perpetrators using social media activity, public appearances, and leaked datasets to identify and track potential victims. In some cases, insider leaks and compromised state data have been used to facilitate the attacks. The pool of potential victims has expanded, with mid-level holders and even families being targeted. The attacks have resulted in severe physical and emotional harm, including kidnappings, torture, and sexual violence. Experts point to the need for increased awareness and security measures, such as multi-signature setups and withdrawal delays, to reduce the risk of wrench attacks. As the cryptocurrency market continues to grow, the threat of wrench attacks is becoming a broader security concern, highlighting the need for a concerted effort to prevent and respond to these incidents.