The Alarming Rise of Crypto-Related Attacks in France and the Global Implications

A surge in crypto-related kidnappings has put France under the international spotlight, prompting government officials to acknowledge the scale of the problem and announce new measures to tackle it. This year, the country has seen at least 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions, with one incident occurring 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, 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 extract access to digital assets, and researchers note that attackers are shifting their approach from targeting technical vulnerabilities to building profiles of potential victims, tracking their social media activity, public appearances, and routines to identify points of weakness. The problem is further complicated by cases of insider leaks and compromised state data, which can provide attackers with sensitive information. As the pool of potential victims expands to include mid-level holders and even families, authorities and security experts are emphasizing the need for increased awareness and precautions, such as multi-signature setups and withdrawal delays, to mitigate the risk of wrench attacks.