A surge in crypto-related kidnappings has put France under international scrutiny, prompting government officials to acknowledge the scale of the problem and vow to take action. The country has become the epicenter of a global rise in wrench attacks, with crypto holders being targeted with increasing frequency and violence. According to security researchers and law enforcement data, the trend is on the rise globally, with 72 verified physical coercion incidents reported 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 for some attackers, it is easier 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 have involved prolonged captivity, torture, and even murder, making it harder to categorize the attacks by severity. Security experts point to measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits as ways to reduce the risk of wrench attacks, but the increase in attacks has raised questions about the risks of self-custody, a core principle of cryptocurrency.
As crypto adoption grows, attacks are becoming more frequent and severe, turning what was once a niche concern into a broader security risk.