France has emerged as a major hotspot for violent crypto-related crime, with authorities recording 90 cases involving kidnappings, extortion, threats, and robberies between January and mid-August 2026. According to France’s National Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime (PNACO), the country recorded around 20 such incidents in 2024 and 67 in 2025. The number climbed further in 2026, with 90 cases recorded by mid-August alone, surpassing the total for all of 2025, roughly one attack every two to three days. The attacks have also spread beyond prominent crypto entrepreneurs and influencers, with ordinary people suspected of owning digital assets increasingly becoming targets. Notably, the threat has already reached private homes, where attackers are using violence to force victims to surrender their digital assets. As per the PNACO, in one recent case, four armed intruders reportedly held a family captive overnight in Vendin-le-Vieil before forcing the father to hand over approximately €40,000 ($47,000) in cryptocurrency. The French investigators said the attacks are increasingly linked to organized criminal networks that recruit young operatives through social media and digital intermediaries. These groups often divide responsibilities among people who may not know one another, making it harder for investigators to identify those directing the operations. “ This multi-level organization complicates the identification of sponsors and the reconstruction of the entire criminal chain ,” PNACO noted. As per the time of the report, authorities had 13 active judicial proceedings underway, with 95 suspects, including 13 minors, under formal investigation for alleged offenses including kidnapping, unlawful confinement, aggravated violence and money laundering. The networks have also extended beyond France. A key suspect arrested in Morocco following intelligence shared by French authorities was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Investigators believe leaked personal information, social media disclosures, and phishing scams help criminals identify potential victims. Moreover, a Chainalysis report published in August identified France as a major hotspot for violent attacks involving cryptocurrency. The firm estimated that criminals stole more than $30 million in such incidents worldwide during the first half of 2026, after a record $58 million in 2025. An alleged 2024 breach involving a French tax official may have contributed to the increase. The official was accused of stealing and selling dossiers that included information on wealthy crypto holders, including their names, addresses, phone numbers, and financial holdings. A separate breach disclosed by crypto tax-reporting platform Waltio in January 2026 reportedly affected around 50,000 users, potentially exposing more people to targeted crime. Chainalysis also found that relatives and acquaintances accounted for more than 40% of victims in French incidents, suggesting criminals are increasingly using family members as leverage. That said, the threat is not confined to France. Just this week in the United Kingdom, a cryptocurrency investor reported being restrained and threatened at knifepoint during a home invasion in which approximately $800,000 in cryptocurrency and valuables were allegedly stolen. Cybersecurity firm Hudson Rock suggested the incident could be linked to reportedly compromised Revolut customer data, though it has not conclusively established the connection. Such attacks, commonly known as “wrench attacks,” involve using threats or physical violence to force victims to surrender their crypto holdings. Unlike online theft, they can bypass digital security by targeting the person who controls the wallet. France’s Interior Ministry has advised cryptocurrency holders to avoid publicizing their wealth or sharing information that could help criminals identify them. In guidance published on January 22, 2026, the ministry warned against posting crypto holdings or profits on social media, sharing wallet screenshots, or discussing digital asset investments publicly. It also recommended using unique passwords and strong authentication to protect accounts against unauthorized access.
