Headline: France moves to stamp out a wave of crypto-linked kidnappings as incidents hit one every 2.5 days
France is preparing tougher law‑enforcement measures after a surge in crypto‑extortion kidnappings that has made the country Europe’s hotspot for so‑called “wrench attacks.” Interior Ministry representative Jean‑Didier Berger told attendees at Paris Blockchain Week that new steps will be rolled out “in the coming weeks” as authorities shift from prevention to a more coordinated, rapid‑response approach.
The scale of the problem is stark. Officials have documented 41 crypto‑linked kidnappings in France so far in 2026—roughly one incident every 2.5 days. That follows an alarming global trend: ransom attacks tied to digital assets rose 75% year‑on‑year in 2025, and France accounted for around 40% of Europe’s recorded cases. A January memo from organized‑crime unit SIRASCO (reported by Le Parisien) says roughly 40 such kidnappings and hostage takings occurred between mid‑2023 and the end of 2025, concentrated in and around Paris.
High‑profile cases underscore the human cost. In April, GIGN commandos freed a mother and her 10‑year‑old son after about 20 hours in captivity; kidnappers had demanded “several hundreds of thousands” of euros from the boy’s father, described as a crypto entrepreneur. Earlier this year, a magistrate connected to a Lyon‑based crypto executive and her elderly mother were held for 30 hours before six suspects—including a minor—were arrested.
Security researchers and industry watchers warn that self‑custody of crypto is now a visible physical risk factor in France, pushing some executives toward bodyguards and home security upgrades. Data cited by outlets such as Forbes from TRM Labs and CertiK show France recorded 19 of 72 verified wrench attacks globally in a recent period—more than double the United States’ tally—and at least 30 documented cases since 2017, with over 20 in 2025 alone.
The rise in violent, targeted extortion presents a reputational threat for a government that has positioned Paris as a regulated crypto and fintech hub under MiCA‑aligned licensing. Authorities say the next phase of their response will combine prevention (a recently launched platform aimed at digital‑asset holders has already drawn thousands of registrations), faster policing, and closer cooperation with the crypto industry to protect wealthy holders and their families.
Berger said he and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez are finalizing a “more stringent response plan” to deploy shortly. For the French crypto community, the challenge is immediate: the threat has evolved from insider disputes to coordinated, systematic targeting—and public safety concerns are now inseparable from discussions about private keys and custody.
Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
