A surge in crypto-related kidnappings, known as wrench attacks, has put France under the international spotlight, prompting government officials to acknowledge the scale of the problem and announce new measures to tackle it. At least 41 such incidents have occurred this year, translating to one every two to three days. The country has become the epicenter of a global rise in wrench attacks, with security researchers and law enforcement data indicating that these attacks are becoming more frequent and violent across multiple jurisdictions. Globally, verified physical coercion incidents rose by 75% in 2025, with cases involving physical assault increasing by 250% year-over-year.
The trend is attributed to the ease of coercing individuals to access digital assets, rather than attempting to break encryption. Researchers note that attackers are shifting 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 exacerbated by insider leaks and compromised state data. Mid-level crypto holders are increasingly being targeted, and the pool of potential victims has widened to include families.
Experts point to measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits as ways to reduce risk. As crypto adoption grows, the frequency and severity of attacks are increasing, turning a once niche concern into a broader security risk.