Key Highlights
- The French government is taking steps to counter rising ‘wrench attacks.’
- Jean-Didier Berger announced the initiative at Paris Blockchain Week, highlighting a shift toward personal protection strategies.
- In 2026, France has seen 41 such incidents to date, approximately one kidnapping incident per 2.5 days.
The French government has announced plans to introduce new security measures in response to a rise in kidnappings and “wrench attack,” linked to cryptocurrencies.
The announcement was made by Jean-Didier Berger, Minister Delegate to the Ministry of the Interior, at Paris Blockchain Week. These attacks involve the use of violence to make individuals release their digital assets.
Berger said a prevention tool has actually been set up, which has garnered thousands of registrations from concerned crypto users. He also noted that his team is working with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to develop a broader strategy in the weeks ahead.
The new approach will move away from mere alerts towards personal protection measures. Berger stated, “We are taking preventative measures against these wrench attacks.”
Surge in crypto-related crimes
From the beginning of 2026 up to now, there have been 41 kidnapping cases that are crypto-related in France, which equates to one case per every two-and-a-half days, as reported by a local news outlet.
France dominated in terms of wrench attacks in the year 2025, when 19 attacks took place in the country, twice the number reported in the US, according to blockchain cybersecurity firm CertiK. Europe, in general, accounted for roughly 40% of all attacks across the world.
What is a wrench attack?
“Wrench attacks,” based on the concept of forcing someone by means of a basic instrument such as a wrench, are acts of home invasion, kidnapping, and blackmail that usually affect people whose cryptocurrencies can be easily identified from their online presence through social media, data breaches, or via know-your-customer (KYC) processes.
Notable examples of such acts include the home invasion of the CEO of Binance France, David Prinçay, in February and the kidnapping of a magistrate’s family members.
Arrests by French law enforcement
Last year, French authorities arrested seven people in connection with the kidnapping of a 20-year-old Swiss victim in a crypto-related case.
According to the details, about 150 highly trained members of the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN) carried out an arrest on August 31, 2025, in a snack bar situated on Rue d’Asti in the Fontbarlettes area of Valence. The victim, who was captured at a house near the Valence TGV railway station, was freed from a location where he was bound after being kept there for a few days.
Precautionary measures
As the authorities draw up the plan, crypto users in France are being advised to take basic precautions, including securing private keys, limiting public exposure, and registering on the prevention portal.
It remains unclear whether these efforts will reduce the rise in such attacks. The situation highlights a broader challenge as cryptocurrency adoption grows: balancing innovation with user safety.
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