A disturbing trend is unfolding in France, where crypto-related kidnappings, known as 'wrench attacks,' are becoming increasingly frequent, brazen, and violent. This shift was evident during a recent international blockchain and crypto conference, where heightened security measures were visibly implemented. The French government has taken notice, with officials acknowledging the scale of the problem, which has seen at least 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions this year alone, averaging one every two to three days.
Minister Delegate to the Interior Ministry, Jean-Didier Berger, announced that new measures are being prepared to tackle the issue, including a prevention platform that has already garnered thousands of registrations. However, authorities concede that further steps are necessary as incidents continue to rise.
The phenomenon of wrench attacks, where physical force is used to extract access to digital assets, is not unique to France but has become a global concern. According to security researchers and law enforcement data, such attacks are becoming more frequent and violent worldwide.
In 2025, there were 72 verified physical coercion incidents globally, marking a 75% increase from the previous year. The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to coerce individuals into granting access to their digital assets, often proving easier for attackers than attempting to break encryption. Unlike traditional bank transfers, crypto transactions are irreversible, allowing funds to be quickly moved across wallets and chains once a victim authorizes a transfer under duress. Researchers note that attackers are shifting their approach from targeting technical vulnerabilities to 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 assistance 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 expanded, with mid-level holders being increasingly targeted based on limited or indirect signals. Cases now include families, with children being targeted alongside crypto-holding parents, making the attacks harder to categorize by severity.
High-profile cases, such as the kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland, have raised concerns about the severity and organization of these attacks. Security experts observe that both opportunistic and organized groups are involved, with signs of increasing coordination and pre-planning. After obtaining funds, attackers quickly convert them into stablecoins and route them across multiple chains, making recovery more difficult. France's role in this trend may be attributed to a mix of factors, including leaked personal data and cross-border criminal networks.
Rising asset prices have increased the potential payoff from a single attack, while improvements in digital security have reduced the effectiveness of purely technical exploits. The increase in attacks has raised questions about the risks of self-custody, a core principle of cryptocurrency. Security experts recommend measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits to reduce risk by limiting access to funds under duress. As crypto adoption grows, attacks are becoming more frequent and severe, transforming what was once a niche concern into a broader security risk.