A surge in crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions has put France under the international spotlight, prompting government officials to take action against the escalating problem. This year alone, the country has experienced at least 41 such incidents, occurring at a rate of approximately one every two to three days.
Minister Delegate to the Interior Ministry, Jean-Didier Berger, announced plans to introduce new measures in collaboration with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to tackle the issue. A prevention platform has already garnered thousands of registrations, but authorities acknowledge that further steps are necessary as the number of incidents continues to rise. The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to gain access to digital assets, often proving easier for attackers than attempting to break encryption.
According to security researchers and law enforcement data, the trend is not limited to France, with a 75% increase in verified physical coercion incidents globally in 2025. The shift in attack strategies has been noted, with a move from targeting technical vulnerabilities to 'hunting' individuals, tracking their social media activity, public appearances, and leaked datasets to identify points of weakness.
The problem is exacerbated when attackers receive assistance from government officials, such as in a notable case where a French tax official sold sensitive data to wrench attackers. The pool of potential victims has expanded, with mid-level holders increasingly being targeted, sometimes based on limited or indirect signals.
Cases now include families, with children being targeted alongside crypto-holding parents, making the attacks harder to categorize by severity. In response to the growing threat, security experts recommend measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits to reduce the risk of self-custody, a core principle of cryptocurrency. As crypto adoption continues to grow, the frequency and severity of attacks are increasing, transforming what was once a niche concern into a broader security risk.