The Growing Threat of Physical Coercion Against Crypto Owners: France at the Forefront

A surge in crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions, known as wrench attacks, has placed France under the international spotlight. The country has witnessed at least 41 such incidents this year, occurring at a rate of approximately one every two to three days. This alarming trend was highlighted during an annual international blockchain and crypto conference in Paris, where government officials expressed concern over the scale of the problem. Jean-Didier Berger, Minister Delegate to the Interior Ministry, announced that new measures are being developed to tackle the issue, including a prevention platform that has already garnered thousands of registrations. However, authorities acknowledge that further steps are necessary as incidents continue to escalate. 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. Attackers are shifting their approach from targeting technical vulnerabilities to building profiles of potential victims, 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, as seen in a case where a French tax official sold sensitive data to wrench attackers. The pool of potential victims has expanded, with mid-level holders being targeted 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. The increase in attacks has raised questions about the risks of self-custody, a core principle of cryptocurrency, with some security experts recommending measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits to reduce risk.