A surge in crypto-related kidnappings, known as wrench attacks, has put France under the international spotlight. The country has experienced at least 41 such incidents this year, with one occurring every two to three days.
Government officials have expressed alarm at the scale of the problem and are preparing new measures to tackle it. A prevention platform has already been launched, but further steps are needed as incidents continue to rise.
The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, and the trend is not limited to France, with a 75% increase in verified physical coercion incidents globally in 2025. Researchers say that attackers are now identifying victims by building profiles, tracking routines, and identifying points of weakness, rather than scanning for technical vulnerabilities. The problem is exacerbated when attackers receive inside help from government officials, and the pool of potential victims has widened to include mid-level holders and even families.
Security experts recommend measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits to reduce the risk of wrench attacks.