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

A surge in crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions has put France under the international spotlight, prompting government officials to take action. This year alone, the country has seen at least 41 such incidents, which translates to approximately one every two to three days. The French government is preparing a new set of measures to tackle the issue, including a prevention platform that has already drawn thousands of registrations.

The country has become the epicenter of a global rise in wrench attacks, with security researchers and law enforcement data indicating a significant increase in attacks on crypto holders. Globally, the trend is also on the rise, with 72 verified physical coercion incidents reported in 2025, representing a 75% increase from the previous year.

The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, and for some attackers, it is easier to coerce a person than to break encryption. Researchers say the way attackers identify victims has also changed, with a shift 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. The pool of potential victims has widened, with mid-level holders increasingly being targeted.

Cases now include families, with children targeted alongside crypto-holding parents, making the attacks harder to categorize by severity. In some instances, attacks have involved prolonged captivity and torture.

Both opportunistic and organized groups are involved, with signs of increasing coordination. After obtaining funds, attackers tend to move quickly, converting crypto assets into stablecoins and routing them across multiple chains, making recovery more difficult.

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. Security experts recommend measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits to reduce risk by limiting how much can be accessed under duress.