French politician Jean-Didier Berger has warned that the nation is stepping up efforts to protect crypto investors as a worrying wave of kidnappings and violent “wrench attacks” continues to spread across the country.
His comments reflect how the risks around digital assets are no longer just online but rather is increasingly spilling into real-world personal safety.
Speaking at Paris Blockchain Week, Berger said authorities have already introduced early preventative measures, including a new awareness and prevention platform that has attracted thousands of users.
The goal, he explained, is to help potential targets better understand the risks and reduce their exposure before incidents occur.
He also confirmed that his office is working closely with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez on a more comprehensive plan expected in the coming weeks.
While details are still under discussion, the direction is clear: France is moving toward a more coordinated national response as these cases become more frequent and more violent.
Kidnapping of crypto entrepreneur’s family in Burgundy underscores rising concerns
The urgency behind this push has been reinforced by a string of recent incidents. In one case this week, a mother and her 11-year-old child were kidnapped in Burgundy by four individuals who demanded a ransom from the father, a crypto entrepreneur.
The victims were later rescued and the suspects arrested, but the case added to growing alarm over how quickly these attacks can unfold.
France has become one of the most visible hotspots for these so-called wrench attacks, situations where criminals bypass digital security entirely and instead use threats, coercion, or physical force to access crypto holdings.
Unlike hacking, these incidents target people directly, making them far harder to prevent through technology alone.
Data from CertiK shows how quickly the problem has escalated. Globally, these attacks have risen sharply in recent years, with France accounting for a disproportionate share of cases in Europe.
Local reporting suggests that incidents have become frequent enough this year to average roughly one every few days, putting pressure on authorities to respond faster and more decisively.
What makes the situation more concerning is the variety of tactics being used. Some attackers utilize direct kidnapping and ransom extortion methods, while others deploy tactics such as fraud by masquerading as police or targeting relatives of cryptocurrency holders.
In a prior incident, a French couple is alleged to have been kidnapped and had a considerable sum of Bitcoins stolen from them by criminals who impersonated themselves as policemen, indicating that the boundary between cybercriminals and conventional criminals has become rather ambiguous.
Organized crime kidnappings show crypto holders are now seen as high-value targets
Other attacks involved criminals associated with broader organized crime networks, such as kidnappings where the victim was associated with cryptocurrency holders. These types of attacks imply that the attackers view cryptocurrency owners as valuable targets akin to cash-rich businesses or millionaires.
This means that there are attempts to shift perspective in these regards. Apart from enforcement procedures, preventive measures have been proposed, which include educating citizens on defensive measures, enabling communication, and setting up a rapid-response system in case of emergencies.
Another approach to address the issue is through industrial gatherings, for instance, Paris Blockchain Week.
In all, the impression given from reading the report is that of an environment where cyber threats are becoming increasingly apparent. With increased adoption and value being placed on crypto-assets, criminals have been able to adapt just as effectively.
It seems that the approach being taken by the French government to date reflects the understanding that such threats are serious concerns of public safety.