A surge in crypto-related kidnappings has put France at the forefront of a global rise in wrench attacks, where individuals are coerced into relinquishing their digital assets. This year alone, the country has seen at least 41 such incidents, prompting government officials to acknowledge the scale of the problem and announce new measures to tackle it.
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 because it is easier to coerce a person than to break encryption.
As crypto transactions cannot be reversed, once a victim authorizes a transfer under duress, the funds can be quickly moved across wallets and chains. Researchers note that attackers are shifting from targeting 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 when attackers receive insider information, such as in a case where a French tax official sold sensitive data to wrench attackers. The pool of potential victims has expanded, with mid-level holders and even families being targeted.
Cases have involved severe violence, including kidnapping, torture, and ransom demands. Security experts point to the need for increased awareness and measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits to reduce the risk of wrench attacks. As crypto adoption grows, the frequency and severity of these attacks are turning a once niche concern into a broader security risk.