A surge in crypto-related kidnappings has put France at the forefront of a global rise in 'wrench attacks', which involve the use of physical force to gain access to digital assets. The country has seen at least 41 such incidents this year, prompting government officials to acknowledge the scale of the problem and announce new measures to tackle it. The trend is not limited to France, with security researchers and law enforcement data showing a 75% increase in verified physical coercion incidents globally in 2025. The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, often because it is easier to coerce a person than to break encryption.
Researchers say attackers are becoming more sophisticated, using social media activity, public appearances, and leaked datasets to identify victims and track their routines. The problem is exacerbated when attackers receive insider information 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 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.
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.