A surge in crypto-related kidnappings has put France under the international spotlight, prompting government officials to acknowledge the scale of the problem and announce new measures to tackle it. At least 41 such incidents have occurred this year, translating to roughly one every two to three days. The country has become the epicenter of a global rise in wrench attacks, which involve the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets. According to security researchers and law enforcement data, attacks on crypto holders 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 trend is attributed to the fact that crypto transactions cannot be reversed, making it easier for attackers to quickly move funds across wallets and chains once a victim authorizes a transfer under duress.
Researchers note that attackers are now identifying victims by building profiles, tracking social media activity, public appearances, and leaked datasets, rather than scanning for technical vulnerabilities. The problem is exacerbated when attackers receive insider information 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 and families being targeted, making the attacks harder to categorize by severity. Cases have involved prolonged captivity, torture, and even waterboarding, with both opportunistic and organized groups involved.
After obtaining funds, attackers tend to move quickly, converting crypto assets into stablecoins and routing 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, with some security experts recommending measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits to reduce risk.