The Alarming Rise of Crypto-Related Violence: How France Became a Hotbed for Wrench Attacks

A surge in crypto-related kidnappings has thrust France into the international spotlight, prompting government officials to acknowledge the scale of the problem and vow to take action. At least 41 such incidents have occurred in the country this year, equivalent to roughly one every two to three days. The trend is not limited to France, as security researchers and law enforcement data indicate a global rise in wrench attacks, which involve the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets. In 2025, there were 72 verified physical coercion incidents worldwide, representing a 75% increase from the previous year. The term 'wrench attack' refers to the exploitation of physical force to gain access to digital assets, often proving easier for attackers than attempting to break encryption. According to Jameson Lopp, a crypto researcher, 'every time a wrench attack is successful, it sends a message that crypto owners are vulnerable targets.' Unlike traditional bank transfers, crypto transactions are irreversible, allowing funds to be swiftly transferred across wallets and chains once a victim is coerced into authorizing a transfer. Researchers have observed a shift in the way attackers identify victims, from scanning for technical vulnerabilities to building profiles based on social media activity, public appearances, and leaked datasets. Attackers are increasingly targeting mid-level crypto holders, sometimes based on limited or indirect signals, and the pool of potential victims has expanded to include families with children. Cases of wrench attacks have involved prolonged captivity, torture, and even murder, 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 to make recovery more difficult. The rise in wrench attacks may be attributed to a mix of factors, including rising asset prices, which increase the potential payoff from a single attack, and improvements in digital security, which have reduced the effectiveness of purely technical exploits. As crypto adoption grows, attacks are becoming more frequent and severe, raising questions about the risks of self-custody and the need for increased security measures, such as multi-signature setups and withdrawal delays, to reduce the risk of wrench attacks.