A surge in crypto-related kidnappings has put France at the forefront of a global rise in wrench attacks, with the country experiencing an alarming rate of one attack every two to three days. The recent staging of an international blockchain and crypto conference in Paris highlighted the issue, with government officials acknowledging the scale of the problem and announcing plans to introduce new measures to tackle it.
According to security researchers and law enforcement data, the trend is also on the rise globally, with 72 verified physical coercion incidents reported in 2025, a 75% increase from the previous year. The term 'wrench attack' refers to the use of physical force to extract access to digital assets, and researchers say that attackers are becoming more sophisticated, using social media activity, public appearances, and leaked datasets to identify potential victims.
The problem is further exacerbated by insider leaks and compromised state data, which can provide attackers with valuable information. As the pool of potential victims widens, security experts are warning that anybody can be a target, and that the risks of self-custody, a core principle of cryptocurrency, need to be reassessed. To reduce the risk of wrench attacks, some experts recommend measures such as multi-signature setups, withdrawal delays, and spending limits, which can limit the amount of funds that can be accessed under duress.