France reports 77 crypto kidnapping and extortion cases

French authorities have recorded 77 incidents of kidnapping, extortion, or attempted extortion linked to the cryptocurrency sector in the first half of 2026, a sharp increase from the 45 cases reported throughout the entirety of 2025. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the figures, describing the trend as a serious matter that justifies public concern. The rise in so-called "crypto wrench attacks," where criminals use physical violence to coerce victims into surrendering digital assets, has prompted the government to pledge a more ambitious security response.

Minister Nuñez outlined the statistics and the government's new plan during an address to the Association for the Development of Digital Assets (ADAN). France's vulnerability to such attacks is partly attributed to its high level of retail crypto adoption, with ADAN estimating that roughly 11% of the population, or about 7.3 million people, own cryptocurrencies. This widespread ownership creates a large pool of potential targets for criminals seeking both financial gain and visibility.

In response to the escalating threat, French authorities earlier this year launched a dedicated prevention platform and a rapid-alert...