France has recorded at least 41 kidnappings or home invasions linked to cryptocurrencies this year, according to officials, a pace that works out to one attack every two to three days. The figure surfaced as security was tightened to its highest level at an international blockchain and crypto conference in Paris, where VIP guests at the Palace of Versailles were escorted by police and strict access controls were enforced around the Louvre venue.
French authorities step up security as cases keep coming
Jean-Didier Berger of the Interior Ministry said new measures are being prepared in response. Authorities said thousands of people have already signed up for preventive platforms, but the current response has not stopped the incidents. Security specialists now describe France as a global hotspot for assaults tied to crypto holdings.
Researchers said the pattern is not limited to France. Globally, confirmed cases reached 72 in 2025, a 75% increase from the previous year, while incidents involving physical violence rose 250% in a single year. One specialist said every new wrench attack reinforces the idea that crypto investors are easy targets.
Attackers are targeting people, not just systems
Wrench attacks rely on threats or direct violence to force victims to hand over access to digital assets. Instead of hunting for technical flaws, attackers are tracking potential victims through social media activity and leaked personal data, then studying routines and digital footprints to identify weak points. Experts warn that exposing a real identity and daily habits online can sharply increase that risk.
Some recent incidents have also raised concern about insider leaks. The report says French tax officials were allegedly involved in supplying personal information to attackers in certain cases. That has intensified fears that data held inside public institutions can be diverted to organized crime groups.
Victim profiles widen beyond wealthy crypto holders
The targets are no longer limited to ultra-wealthy individuals. Mid-sized investors and their families are also being singled out, and in some cases children are treated as leverage in criminal plans. In January 2025, Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped in France, and his captors reportedly sent part of his body to force ransom negotiations. Similar violent attacks have also been documented in Canada and the United States.
Authorities say the rise is not just in isolated robberies but in coordinated operations by organized groups. These teams conduct surveillance, move quickly during home raids, and then launder stolen funds through cross-chain transfers before converting them into stablecoins, making tracing extremely difficult.
Self-custody keeps control with holders, but adds physical risk
Security experts say the economics are straightforward: as crypto asset values climb, the payoff from a single attack rises as well. Digital defenses may be improving, but physical coercion often proves more effective than hacking. Many incidents are still recorded as generic burglaries or home invasions, with the crypto link left undisclosed in official reporting.
To reduce exposure, some specialists recommend multi-signature setups, withdrawal limits, and delayed transaction approvals. Even so, they say the threat cannot be eliminated entirely. The self-custody model at the core of crypto ownership also creates a growing set of real-world security risks.