France has recorded 41 crypto-linked kidnappings and home invasions so far in 2026 — roughly one every two and a half days — making it the clear European epicentre of so-called wrench attacks, where criminals use physical coercion rather than hacking to force victims to hand over digital assets. Per reporting from crypto.news, France now accounts for about 40% of Europe's crypto ransom attacks.
The trend line is steep. CoinDesk's analysis counts 72 verified physical-coercion cases globally in 2025, a 75% rise year on year, with physical assault cases up 250% — and researchers in the space say many incidents go unreported. The pattern reached public attention with the January 2025 kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland, whose finger was severed and sent to associates as ransom leverage. This year's cases include an April incident in which GIGN commandos rescued a mother and her 10-year-old son after roughly 20 hours in captivity, the kidnappers demanding several hundred thousand euros from the father, a crypto entrepreneur.
Paris is moving. A French Interior Ministry representative, Jean-Didier Berger, told Paris Blockchain Week in April that authorities would introduce measures within weeks, working with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez on a more stringent response plan. A prevention platform for digital-asset holders has drawn thousands of registrations.
Two points matter for protection professionals. First, the targeting methodology: attackers are building victim profiles from social media, public appearances and leaked datasets — in one case, a French tax official reportedly sold sensitive data to attackers. OSINT-footprint reduction belongs in any protective package for a crypto-wealthy principal, and family members are squarely in scope.
Second, custody design is now part of physical security. Multi-signature wallets, withdrawal delays and spending limits reduce what can be extracted under duress. They don't remove the risk, but a principal who demonstrably cannot move funds quickly is a less attractive target. Residential security reviews, family coverage and duress protocols should be priced into any engagement with this client profile.
