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 take action against the rising trend of wrench attacks. This year alone, the country has seen at least 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions, with one incident occurring every two to three days. The French government is preparing new measures to tackle the issue, including a prevention platform that has already drawn thousands of registrations. However, authorities acknowledge that further steps are needed to address the growing problem. The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, and researchers say that the way attackers identify victims has shifted from scanning for technical vulnerabilities to building profiles based on social media activity, public appearances, and leaked datasets. The problem is exacerbated when attackers receive insider information from government officials, and the pool of potential victims has widened to include mid-level holders and even families. Experts point to measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits as ways to reduce risk by limiting how much can be accessed under duress. As crypto adoption grows, attacks are becoming more frequent and severe, turning what was once a niche concern into a broader security risk.