The Alarming Surge of Crypto-Related Kidnappings in France

A disturbing trend is unfolding in France, where the frequency and brutality of crypto-related kidnappings, known as 'wrench attacks,' are escalating. This shift is evident in the heightened security presence at a recent international blockchain and crypto conference in Paris, where a police motorcade escorted VIP guests and security was reinforced at the conference venue. Government officials have expressed 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 new measures are being prepared to tackle the growing issue, including a prevention platform that has already drawn thousands of registrations. However, authorities acknowledge 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, often because it is easier to coerce a person than to break encryption. According to security researchers and law enforcement data, the trend is not unique to France, with a 75% increase in verified physical coercion incidents globally in 2025, and a 250% rise in cases involving physical assault. Attackers are shifting their approach from targeting technical vulnerabilities to building profiles of potential victims, tracking their social media activity, public appearances, and leaked datasets 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, making the attacks harder to categorize by severity. Cases have involved prolonged captivity, torture, and even murder, with attackers often using coordinated tactics and moving quickly to convert stolen assets into stablecoins and route them across multiple chains. The rise in attacks has raised questions about the risks of self-custody, a core principle of cryptocurrency, and the need for measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits to reduce risk. As crypto adoption grows, attacks are becoming more frequent and severe, turning what was once a niche concern into a broader security risk.