French authorities are implementing emergency security protocols to protect digital asset holders from a violent wave of targeted kidnappings and physical extortions, known as 'wrench attacks.' Jean-Didier Berger, France’s minister delegate to the interior, announced the measures at Paris Blockchain Week, revealing that police have recorded 41 crypto-linked kidnappings since the start of 2026, averaging one attack every 2.5 days.
The government has already launched a specialized prevention platform, which has seen thousands of sign-ups from the crypto community. Berger is collaborating with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez on a more comprehensive strategic security plan to be unveiled in the coming weeks. This state intervention responds to criminal networks increasingly targeting the families of digital entrepreneurs.
A recent harrowing case in Burgundy involved the abduction of a mother and her 11-year-old child. Four suspects demanded a €400,000 (approximately $471,000) ransom from the father, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur. The victims were safely freed, and suspects were arrested, but the incident underscores the growing physical danger for industry participants. Other cases include criminals posing as police to rob a couple of $1 million in Bitcoin and the February kidnapping of a magistrate and her mother to extort a crypto sector partner.
The crisis reflects a broader global trend. According to cybersecurity firm CertiK, France recorded 19 confirmed 'wrench attacks' in 2025, contributing to Europe accounting for nearly 40% of such incidents worldwide. The term describes crimes where perpetrators use physical violence or intimidation to coerce victims into transferring cryptocurrency, bypassing digital security by targeting the person controlling the private keys.
The French government's new platform aims to foster collaboration between law enforcement and the crypto industry, focusing on prevention, rapid response, and education. The strategy marks a shift in the state's focus toward the physical safety of the blockchain community, as existing regulations like the EU's MiCA framework primarily address financial stability, not violent physical crime linked to assets.
