France has already experienced 41 kidnapping cases targeting cryptocurrency holders this year.

Crypto Mars News reports that France has become a high-incidence area for wrench attacks, with at least 41 cryptocurrency-related kidnapping and home invasion cases reported this year, averaging one every 2.5 days. Minister of the Interior Jean-Didier Berger stated that he is working with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to prepare a series of new measures to address the issue. Wrench attacks refer to forcing victims to transfer crypto assets through physical violence. Data from Certik and Jameson Lopp show that in 2025, verified global cases of physical coercion reached 72, a 75% year-over-year increase, with cases involving physical assault rising 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 victims through social media and leaked data. Since crypto transactions are irreversible, attackers often convert illegal gains into stablecoins and transfer across chains to evade detection. Experts recommend using tools such as multi-signature, withdrawal delays, and spending limits to reduce the risk of attack.