A surge in crypto-related kidnappings has put France under the international spotlight, prompting government officials to acknowledge the scale of the problem and prepare new measures to tackle it. This year alone, the country has seen at least 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions, occurring at a rate of roughly one every two to three days. According to Jean-Didier Berger, Minister Delegate to the Interior Ministry, a prevention platform has already been launched, with thousands of registrations, but further steps are needed as incidents continue to escalate. The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, and researchers note that attackers are now identifying victims by building profiles, tracking routines, and identifying points of weakness.
This shift has led to an increase in attacks on mid-level holders, with cases involving families and 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.
As crypto adoption grows, attacks are becoming more frequent and severe, turning what was once a niche concern into a broader security risk.