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

A surge in crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions has put France under the international spotlight, prompting government officials to acknowledge the scale of the problem and vow to take action. This year alone, the country has seen at least 41 such incidents, which works out to roughly one every two to three days. The phenomenon, known as 'wrench attacks,' involves the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, and it's becoming increasingly frequent and violent. According to security researchers and law enforcement data, the trend is on the rise globally, with 72 verified physical coercion incidents reported in 2025, representing a 75% increase from the previous year. The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to coerce individuals into giving up access to their digital assets, which can be easier for attackers than trying to break encryption. Once a victim authorizes a transfer under duress, the funds can be quickly moved across wallets and chains, making it difficult to recover them. Researchers note that attackers are now 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 from government officials, as was the case in one notable incident in France. The pool of potential victims has expanded to include mid-level holders, who are being targeted based on limited or indirect signals. Cases now involve families, with children being targeted alongside their crypto-holding parents, making the attacks harder to categorize by severity. In some instances, attacks have involved prolonged captivity, torture, and even mutilation. Security experts point to the increasing coordination among attackers, with some groups operating with defined roles and pre-planning, including surveillance and follow-home tactics. After obtaining funds, attackers tend to move quickly, converting crypto assets into stablecoins and routing them across multiple chains to make recovery more difficult. The rise of wrench attacks in France may be attributed to a combination of factors, including leaked personal data and cross-border criminal networks. As asset prices continue to rise, the potential payoff from a single attack increases, while improvements in digital security have reduced the effectiveness of purely technical exploits. The increase in attacks has raised questions about the risks of self-custody, a core principle of cryptocurrency, and some security experts recommend measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits to reduce risk by limiting access to funds under duress.