France has recorded 77 crypto wrench attacks in the first half of 2026. That is nearly double the 45 seen in all of 2025.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez called the numbers concerning. He promised a "more ambitious" three-part plan to protect crypto holders and businesses.
A wrench attack sounds absurd until it happens to you. Criminals use physical violence — kidnappings, home invasions — to force victims into handing over their crypto keys.
France is the worst place in Europe for this. Blockchain security firm CertiK called it the "epicenter." Roughly 11% of French people own crypto — about 7.3 million potential targets.
The reasons? Several high-profile crypto companies are based there. Executives are known publicly. And the Ledger data breach from 2020 — which leaked over 270,000 customer records — still fuels this wave of attacks.
Remember David Balland? The Ledger co-founder was kidnapped and held for ransom in January 2025. Police rescued him.
Nuñez said a rapid-alert system launched earlier this year has 724 sign-ups. It led to 200 arrests. One attacker was caught within eight hours after a victim used an emergency hotline.
The new plan includes better intelligence-sharing (many criminal networks are abroad), deeper partnership with ADAN (the French digital asset association), and tighter coordination between security services.
Globally, wrench attacks are up 41% in the first four months of 2026 compared to last year. Most happen in Europe.
If you hold crypto, physical security matters. A hardware wallet does not help if someone has a crowbar and your address.
