France faces the brunt of an increasing violent crime wave against the crypto community

France has become a focal point for a global increase in violent "wrench attacks" targeting cryptocurrency holders, with the country experiencing approximately one crypto-related kidnapping every 2.5 days this year, totaling at least 41 incidents. These attacks, which involve physical coercion to gain access to digital assets, are becoming more frequent and brazen. Security researchers and law enforcement data indicate a global rise in such incidents, with a 75% increase in verified physical coercion events in 2025 compared to the previous year, and a 250% rise in cases involving physical assault. Attackers are shifting from technical vulnerabilities to profiling individuals by analyzing social media, public appearances, and leaked data to identify weaknesses. The problem is compounded by insider leaks, such as a French tax official selling sensitive data to attackers. The pool of victims has expanded to include mid-level holders and even families, with notable cases including the kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland. The increasing severity and frequency of these attacks are attributed to rising asset prices, improved digital security making technical exploits harder, and underreporting of incidents as standard robberies. Measures like multi-signature setups and withdrawal limits are suggested to mitigate risks by limiting immediate access to funds under duress.

(Source：CoinDesk)