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

A disturbing trend is emerging in France, where crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions have become increasingly frequent and violent. The country has witnessed at least 41 such incidents this year, prompting government officials to acknowledge the scale of the problem and pledge to take action. The rise of wrench attacks, which involve the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, has put France under the international spotlight. Security researchers and law enforcement data indicate that the trend is not limited to France, with a 75% increase in verified physical coercion incidents globally in 2025. 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. 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. The problem is exacerbated when attackers receive insider information from government officials, as seen in a recent case where a French tax official sold sensitive data to wrench attackers. The pool of potential victims has widened, with mid-level holders increasingly being targeted, sometimes based on limited or indirect signals. Cases now include families, with children targeted alongside crypto-holding parents, making the attacks harder to categorize by severity. In one notable case, Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped in France along with his partner, and one of his fingers was severed and sent to associates as part of a ransom demand. Other cases have involved prolonged captivity and torture, such as one in New York, where a crypto investor was held for more than two weeks. Experts believe that both opportunistic and organized groups are involved, with signs of increasing coordination. After funds are obtained, attackers tend to move quickly, converting crypto assets into stablecoins and routing them across multiple chains, making recovery more difficult. France's role in this trend may reflect a mix of factors, including cases involving leaked personal data and cross-border criminal networks. Rising asset prices have increased the potential payoff from a single attack, 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. Some security 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.