A surge in violent attacks on cryptocurrency holders, known as 'wrench attacks,' has put France under international scrutiny. The country has witnessed at least 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions so far this year, averaging about one incident every two to three days.

This trend has prompted government officials to acknowledge the scale of the problem and pledge to take action. Minister Delegate to the Interior Ministry, Jean-Didier Berger, announced plans to introduce new measures to tackle the issue, including a prevention platform that has already garnered thousands of registrations. However, authorities concede that more needs to be done as incidents continue to escalate. The phenomenon of wrench attacks, where physical force is used to extract access to digital assets, is not unique to France but has become particularly pronounced there.

Globally, the number of verified physical coercion incidents rose by 75% in 2025 compared to the previous year, with many more cases likely going unreported. Security researchers attribute the increase to the relative ease of coercing individuals compared to breaking encryption, as well as the irreversibility of crypto transactions. Attackers are also evolving their tactics, shifting from targeting technical vulnerabilities to building profiles of potential victims based on social media activity, public appearances, and leaked datasets.

This shift has led to a broader range of victims, including mid-level crypto holders and even families with children. The severity of the attacks has also intensified, with cases involving prolonged captivity, torture, and severe violence.

Experts warn that the pool of potential victims has expanded, and anybody could be a target. The involvement of both opportunistic and organized groups has been noted, with signs of increasing coordination among attackers.

After obtaining funds, attackers quickly convert them into stablecoins and route them across multiple chains, making recovery challenging. France's position as a hotspot for these attacks may be attributed to a combination of factors, including leaked personal data and cross-border criminal networks.

Rising asset prices have increased the potential payoff for attackers, while improvements in digital security have reduced the effectiveness of purely technical exploits. The issue of underreporting also complicates efforts to understand the true scope of the problem, as many incidents are recorded as standard robberies or home invasions without mention of crypto. To mitigate the risks associated with self-custody, a core principle of cryptocurrency, security experts recommend measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits to reduce the incentive for attackers. As crypto adoption continues to grow, the frequency and severity of these attacks are likely to increase, transforming what was once a niche concern into a broader security risk.