A surge in crypto-related kidnappings has put France at the center of a global rise in wrench attacks, with at least 41 cases reported this year, averaging one incident every two to three days. The country's authorities have stepped up security, acknowledging the scale of the problem and preparing new measures to tackle the issue. The global trend is also on the rise, 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, often because it is easier to coerce a person than to break encryption.
Researchers note 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, such as 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 being targeted, and cases now include families with children being targeted alongside crypto-holding parents. 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.