Inside the rise of wrench attacks against crypto holders and how France has become the focus

France has seen 41 crypto-related kidnappings this year, roughly one every 2.5 days, prompting authorities to step up security. What to know : France has emerged as an epicenter of so-called wrench attacks, with at least 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions reported this year, prompting heightened security and new government measures. These attacks, which use physical coercion to force victims to transfer digital assets, are rising globally and increasingly target individuals based on their public profiles, leaked data and daily routines rather than technical vulnerabilities. Security researchers warn that organized criminal groups are adopting kidnapping-style tactics, often involving severe violence and underreported robberies, and urge crypto holders to use tools like multi-signature wallets and withdrawal limits to reduce the payoff from attacks.