France has reportedly become the main hotspot for the rising number of crypto-related “wrench attacks” worldwide in 2026. According to crypto analyst Joe Nakamoto, around 70% of physical extortion cases targeting digital asset holders have occurred in the country, with 41 kidnapping cases recorded so far this year.

The trend highlights growing security threats within the crypto industry, especially for investors and industry figures holding large amounts of digital assets. In many cases, attackers use physical violence, kidnapping, and intimidation to force victims to hand over access to their crypto wallets.

Surge in Crypto Kidnapping Cases in France

Based on data shared by Joe Nakamoto, France has experienced an average of one crypto-related kidnapping every 2.5 days throughout 2026. This has made the country the global epicenter of “wrench attacks.”

The term “wrench attack” refers to the theft of digital assets through physical threats or violence rather than technical hacking methods. In practice, victims are forced to reveal their seed phrases, private keys, or access credentials to crypto exchange accounts.

Nakamoto believes the increase in these attacks is closely linked to the risks associated with centralized Know Your Customer (KYC) data leaks. According to him, leaked personal information can be exploited by criminal groups to identify high-value crypto holders.

“When investor identity and address data are exposed, the risk of physical attacks increases dramatically,” Nakamoto stated in his analysis.

Aside from individual investors, several crypto startup founders and large-scale traders have reportedly become primary targets due to their perceived direct access to valuable digital assets.

French Authorities Charge 88 Suspects

French organized crime prosecutor Vanessa Perrée confirmed that 88 individuals have so far been charged in connection with the series of incidents.

According to Perrée, the crime patterns suggest the involvement of organized criminal networks operating with increasingly aggressive methods. Some cases reportedly involved torture and threats against victims’ family members.

French security authorities are now strengthening coordination with cybercrime units and financial intelligence agencies to trace funds obtained through these extortion schemes. Investigators are also focusing on the potential involvement of data leaks from centralized platforms storing users’ KYC information.

The incidents have reignited debates surrounding user data security in the crypto industry, particularly among exchanges required to collect customer identification documents.

Impact on the Industry and Investor Confidence

The rise in physical attacks against digital asset holders could negatively affect global perceptions of crypto industry security. Several analysts believe the cases in France serve as a reminder that risks in the crypto sector extend beyond cyberattacks into real-world threats.

At the same time, the increase in kidnappings may accelerate adoption of stronger privacy and self-custody solutions, including multisignature wallets, hardware wallets, and more decentralized identity storage systems.

Some industry participants have also begun calling for stricter limitations on centralized KYC data storage to reduce the risk of sensitive user information leaks.

Although the incidents have not directly impacted the broader crypto market’s price movements, the trend is raising concerns among institutional investors regarding operational security and user identity protection.

Conclusion

The surge in crypto-related “wrench attacks” in France demonstrates how the rapid growth of the crypto industry is bringing increasingly complex security challenges. With 41 kidnapping cases and 88 suspects charged throughout 2026, local authorities are facing mounting pressure to contain the escalation of organized crimes targeting digital asset holders.

The incidents also reinforce the importance of personal data protection and layered security strategies within the crypto ecosystem, especially as digital asset values continue to rise and user identities become increasingly exposed through centralized KYC systems.