France is experiencing a surge in violent "wrench attacks," with authorities reporting 41 crypto-related kidnappings this year as criminals increasingly target individuals through physical coercion and surveillance.

Key Points

• French officials recorded 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions in 2025, averaging one incident every two to three days.
• Global physical coercion incidents involving cryptocurrency rose by 75% in 2025, with cases of severe physical assault increasing by 250% year-over-year.
• Attackers are shifting tactics from exploiting technical vulnerabilities to "hunting" individuals by using social media, leaked datasets, and daily routine tracking.
• Security experts recommend using multi-signature wallets, withdrawal limits, and spending caps to minimize the potential financial payoff for attackers during a forced transfer.
• The French government is developing new security measures and a prevention platform to address the rise in organized criminal groups targeting crypto holders.

Why it Matters

The rise of physical coercion highlights a critical shift in cybercrime where criminals bypass digital encryption by targeting the physical safety of asset holders. This trend forces the industry to reconsider the risks of self-custody and necessitates better integration between law enforcement and digital security practices to protect investors.