A surge in crypto-related kidnappings has put France under the international spotlight, prompting government officials to acknowledge the severity of the issue and take action. The country has experienced at least 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions this year, averaging one every two to three days. Minister Delegate to the Interior Ministry, Jean-Didier Berger, announced that new measures are being prepared to tackle the problem, including a prevention platform that has already drawn thousands of registrations. The rise in wrench attacks, which involve the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, is a global trend, with 72 verified incidents reported in 2025, a 75% increase from the previous year.
Security researchers and law enforcement data indicate that these attacks are becoming more frequent, violent, and brazen. The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to coerce individuals into revealing their digital asset access. Unlike traditional bank transfers, crypto transactions are irreversible, making them an attractive target for attackers. Researchers note that attackers are shifting 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 exacerbated when attackers receive insider information from government officials. The pool of potential victims has widened, with mid-level holders 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. Experts point to measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits as ways to reduce risk by limiting how much can be accessed under duress. As crypto adoption grows, attacks are becoming more frequent and severe, turning what was once a niche concern into a broader security risk.