The Alarming Rise of Crypto-Related Violence: How France Became a Hotbed for 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 take action. This year alone, the country has experienced at least 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions, occurring at a rate of 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 issue, including a prevention platform that has already garnered thousands of registrations. However, authorities admit that further steps are necessary as incidents continue to rise. The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, and researchers note that attackers are now targeting mid-level holders, using tactics such as building profiles, tracking routines, and identifying points of weakness. The problem is exacerbated by insider leaks and compromised state data, which can feed directly into wrench attacks. According to security researchers and law enforcement data, the trend is on the rise globally, with 72 verified physical coercion incidents reported in 2025, a 75% increase from the previous year. The increase in attacks has raised questions about the risks of self-custody, a core principle of cryptocurrency, and security experts point to measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits as ways to reduce risk.