On average, a crypto kidnapping occurs every 2.5 days in France, and authorities have finally had enough.

Author: Cointelegraph

Translation: Deep Tide TechFlow

Deep Tide Guide: Since 2026, France has experienced an average of one kidnapping targeting cryptocurrency holders every 2.5 days, with a total of 41 cases, making it a major hotspot for such crimes worldwide. In the latest case, the wife and 11-year-old child of a crypto entrepreneur were kidnapped, with a ransom of up to 400k euros. The French Ministry of the Interior Deputy Minister finally promised at Paris Blockchain Week to announce a more serious protection plan within a few weeks — but for holders, this response seems to have come too late.

French Ministry of the Interior Deputy Minister Jean-Didier Berger said authorities are taking measures to protect cryptocurrency investors from the country’s growing threats of crypto kidnapping and wrench attacks.

Berger stated at Paris Blockchain Week that his office has taken “preventive measures” against wrench attacks on cryptocurrencies, including launching a prevention platform that has attracted thousands of registrations. He added that he is working with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to roll out a “more serious” plan in the coming weeks.

Just a few days ago, France reported another crypto-related kidnapping case this week. On Monday, a mother and her 11-year-old child were kidnapped in Burgundy by four suspects, who demanded a ransom of 400k euros (about $471k) from the child’s father — a crypto entrepreneur. According to France 24, Paris prosecutors said authorities arrested the suspects Tuesday morning and rescued the victims.

France has become one of the most prominent centers for so-called “wrench attacks.” In these attacks, victims are threatened or beaten and forced to transfer digital assets. The French government is under increasing pressure to respond.

Wrench attacks surge dramatically in France

According to local media RTL on Wednesday, since the beginning of this year, France has reported 41 crypto-related kidnapping cases, meaning an average of one such attack every 2.5 days in 2026.

Data from cybersecurity platform CertiK shows that global wrench attacks increased by 75% in 2025, reaching 72 verified cases. France experienced the most such incidents in 2025, with 19 confirmed wrench attacks, accounting for about 40% of global cases in Europe.

In another incident, a French couple in their 50s was robbed of $1 million worth of Bitcoin by criminals impersonating police officers. Cointelegraph reported this on March 10.

Earlier in February, French police arrested six people who kidnapped a judge and his mother — a crypto extortion attack targeting the judge’s partner, a crypto entrepreneur.