France has seen 41 kidnappings targeting cryptocurrency holders this year.

France has become a hotspot for wrench attacks, with at least 41 cryptocurrency-related kidnappings and burglaries reported this year, averaging one every 2.5 days. Interior Minister Jean-Didier Berger stated that he is working with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to prepare a series of new measures to address the problem. A wrench attack refers to forcing victims to transfer crypto assets through physical violence. Data from Certik and Jameson Lopp shows that 72 cases of physical coercion were verified globally in 2025, a 75% increase year-on-year, with cases involving physical attacks increasing by 250%. Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped in France in January 2025. Security researchers point out that attackers are shifting from searching for wallets to hunting individuals, targeting them through social media and leaked data. Because crypto transactions are irreversible, attackers often convert illicit proceeds into stablecoins and transfer them across blockchains to evade detection. Experts recommend using tools such as multi-signature, withdrawal delays, and spending limits to reduce the risk of attack.