France is experiencing a significant rise in crypto 'wrench attacks,' involving physical assaults and kidnappings targeting digital asset holders. Bitcoin journalist Joe Nakamoto reports 41 such incidents in 2026, attributing the trend to compromised KYC data and urging increased security measures.
MARA Holdings, a major Bitcoin miner, spent $4.3M on CEO Fred Thiel's security in 2025, including an armored vehicle. This reflects a global rise in physical attacks on crypto executives, with France reporting a significant number of incidents.
The wife of Sébastien Borget, co-founder of The Sandbox, was targeted in a kidnapping attempt at their French home. Two teenagers were arrested, and authorities are searching for four others. France has seen a surge in crypto-linked kidnapping attempts.
Face à la multiplication des "wrench attacks" (agressions physiques pour extorquer des cryptos), Coinbase et Gemini investissent des millions pour protéger leurs dirigeants et leurs familles. Des mesures on-chain complètent cette sécurité.
Le FBI a arrêté trois hommes accusés de kidnappings violents ciblant des investisseurs en cryptomonnaies en Californie, avec une victime ayant perdu 13 millions de dollars en BTC et ETH. Ces 'wrench attacks' physiques augmentent de 75% en 2025.
Crypto investors have lost more than $100 million to physical extortion in the first four months of 2026, according to blockchain security firm CertiK, as criminal groups increasingly target the people behind digital wallets rather than the technology securing them. The attacks, known in the industry as “wrench attacks,” use kidnapping, assault, threats, or other […] The post IRL crypto threats: Physical “wrench attacks” have led to over $100 million in losses since January alone appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Criminal teams behind wrench attacks usually consist of three to five people, often posing as delivery drivers or luring victims into ambushes, said CertiK.
France has recorded 135 crypto-linked incidents since 2023, amid a nationwide surge in so-called “wrench attacks."
French law enforcement agencies have been investigating wrench attacks and found that some of the alleged offenders were involved in multiple incidents
A thwarted home invasion near Montpellier adds to France’s surge in violent “wrench attacks,” as high‑profile and doxxed crypto holders are increasingly in criminals’ sights.
A recent case in Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt, France, illustrates a disturbing shift in cryptocurrency crime where attackers posing as police officers physically coerced a couple into transferring nearly $1 million in Bitcoin. Rather than attempting to hack wallets or crack encryption, criminals are increasingly using 'wrench attacks'—physical threats and violence—to force victims to authorize transactions themselves. In 2025, verified wrench attacks rose 75% globally, with financial losses reaching $40.9 million, a 44% annual increase.
A recent case in France highlights a disturbing shift in cryptocurrency crime where attackers bypass digital security by targeting victims physically. Three individuals disguised as police officers coerced a couple in Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt near Paris into transferring nearly $1 million in Bitcoin at knifepoint. The incident exemplifies 'wrench attacks'—physical coercion to force crypto transfers—which increased 75% in 2025 with losses reaching $40.9 million. France has emerged as a hotspot for such violent crypto-related crimes, with physical assaults surging 250% year-over-year.
BTC: 95k (+3%) | BTC.D: 59.2% (-0.1%). ETH: 3313 (+6%) | BNB: 936 (+3%) | SOL: 145 (+2%). Top Gainers: IP, ICP, PUMP, PEPE, ENA. BTC ETFs: +$754m | ETH ETFs: +$130m. Crypto rallies on largest ETF inflow in 3 months. Senate committee to vote on crypto bill on Jan 27. Stablecoin issues with bill still being fought over. Ethena Labs makes USDe free from gas fees. Bitdeer overtakes MARA on ‘managed hashrate’. Polygon Labs to buy Coinme, Sequence for $250m. BitPanda eyes Frankfurt IPO in 1H26. CZ invests in perp trading platform Genius Terminal. Coingecko eyes sales at $500m valuation. Russia to open crypto markets more for payments. Crypto wrench attacks continue in France. Pakistan to integrate WLFI’s USD1.
