French officials: Are preparing a series of new measures to protect cryptocurrency asset holders

ME News Report: On April 17 (UTC+8), French authorities are trying to reassure digital asset executives and investors, as a series of kidnapping and attempted kidnapping incidents threatens the country’s plans to become a crypto hub. France’s Interior Minister, speaking on behalf of Jean-Didier Berger, said a series of new measures to protect crypto asset holders is being prepared, but did not provide specific details. During Paris Blockchain Week, police escorted VIP dinner guests to the Palace of Versailles, and the event organizers strengthened security measures.

So-called “wrench attacks” (violent acquisition of crypto assets) have surged in France. Since the beginning of 2025, more than one-third of such attacks publicly reported worldwide have taken place in France. This year, France has seen about 40 crypto-related kidnapping and attempted kidnapping incidents, averaging about three per week. On Tuesday morning, a kidnapping incident involving a woman and children took place in the Jura department of France. The attackers demanded a $400,000 cryptocurrency ransom and threatened to harm the children’s father. Police deployed about 100 officers to pursue the suspects; in the early hours of Wednesday, they rescued the hostages and arrested seven suspects. (Source: PANews)