France Has Recorded 41 Kidnapping Cases Targeting Cryptocurrency Holders This Year

Odaily News France has become a hotspot for wrench attacks, with at least 41 cryptocurrency-related kidnappings and home invasions reported this year, averaging one incident every 2.5 days. Jean-Didier Berger, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, stated that a series of new measures are being prepared with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to address this issue.

A wrench attack refers to the use of physical violence to force victims to transfer crypto assets. Data from Certik and Jameson Lopp shows that globally, there were 72 verified cases of physical coercion in 2025, a 75% year-on-year increase, with cases involving physical assaults rising by 250%. Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped in France in January 2025. Security researchers point out that attackers are shifting from targeting wallets to hunting individuals, using social media and leaked data to identify targets. Due to the irreversible nature of crypto transactions, attackers often convert illicit proceeds into stablecoins and transfer them across chains to evade tracking. Experts recommend using tools such as multi-signature wallets, withdrawal delays, and spending limits to reduce the risk of attack.