A surge in crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions has put France under the international spotlight, prompting government officials to acknowledge the scale of the problem and announce new measures to tackle it. The country has become the epicenter of a global rise in wrench attacks, with incidents becoming more frequent and violent. According to security researchers and law enforcement data, 72 verified physical coercion incidents occurred globally in 2025, 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 it is often easier for attackers to coerce a person than to break encryption. Researchers say that attackers are now 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 insider information from government officials, and the pool of potential victims has widened to include mid-level holders and even families. Cases of prolonged captivity, torture, and violence have been reported, and security experts point to measures such as multi-signature setups and withdrawal delays as ways to reduce the risk of wrench attacks.
As crypto adoption grows, the frequency and severity of attacks are increasing, turning what was once a niche concern into a broader security risk.