Crypto holders in France are being violently targeted again — and it’s no longer just insiders

Crypto holders in France are increasingly the targets of violent physical crimes, such as home invasions, kidnappings, and mutilations, signaling a shift from purely cyber threats to physical security concerns. Recent high-profile incidents, including the coercion of a couple into transferring €900,000 in Bitcoin and the kidnapping of a Ledger co-founder, have prompted the French Interior Ministry to acknowledge this "new criminal phenomenon" affecting private individuals, not just industry insiders. This trend highlights that self-custody, while protecting against exchange risk, does not eliminate the threat of physical coercion or "wrench attacks." Reports show Europe accounts for over 40% of global physical coercion incidents, with France leading. In response, French authorities are treating crypto crime as an executive protection problem, offering elite police services and security briefings. The industry is adapting by increasing use of multisig, geographic key separation, delayed spending controls, and adopting lower-profile social media behavior, recognizing that private keys are vulnerable to violence and extortion.

(Source：CryptoSlate)