A surge in violent attacks on cryptocurrency holders, known as 'wrench attacks,' has put France at the center of a global crisis. These attacks, which involve the use of physical force to gain access to digital assets, have become increasingly frequent and brazen.
The country has seen at least 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions this year, with one incident occurring every two to three days. Government officials have expressed alarm at the scale of the problem and are preparing new measures to tackle it.
The rise of wrench attacks in France is part of a larger global trend, with security researchers and law enforcement data showing a significant increase in such incidents worldwide. In 2025, there were 72 verified physical coercion incidents globally, representing 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. Once a victim authorizes a transfer under duress, the funds can be quickly moved across wallets and chains, making recovery difficult.
Researchers say 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. The pool of potential victims has expanded, with mid-level holders increasingly being targeted. Cases now include families, with children targeted alongside crypto-holding parents, making the attacks harder to categorize by severity.
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. As crypto adoption grows, attacks are becoming more frequent and severe, turning what was once a niche concern into a broader security risk.