A disturbing trend is emerging in France, where crypto holders are being targeted in a wave of violent attacks known as 'wrench attacks.' These incidents have become increasingly frequent, brazen, and severe, prompting government officials to take action. This year alone, France has seen at least 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions, which translates to approximately one every two to three days.
In response, the government is preparing a new set of measures to tackle the issue, including a prevention platform that has already garnered thousands of registrations. However, authorities acknowledge that more needs to be done to curb the rising tide of violence.
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.
The ease with which crypto transactions can be made, combined with the irreversible nature of these transactions, makes them an attractive target for attackers. Researchers note that attackers are shifting their approach from targeting technical vulnerabilities to building profiles of potential victims, using social media activity, public appearances, and leaked datasets to identify points of weakness.
The problem is further exacerbated when attackers receive inside help from government officials or gain access to sensitive data. The pool of potential victims has expanded, with mid-level holders and even families being targeted. Cases have involved prolonged captivity, torture, and severe violence, making it harder to categorize the attacks by severity. Security experts point to the need for increased awareness and precaution, highlighting measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits as ways to reduce the risk of wrench attacks.
As crypto adoption continues to grow, the frequency and severity of these attacks are likely to increase, turning what was once a niche concern into a broader security risk.