Physical attacks targeting crypto holders — so-called wrench attacks — have cost victims $124 million over the past six months. That's a 12-fold increase from the prior period. France has emerged as the epicenter of the trend, according to a report published Wednesday by blockchain security firm CertiK.
France at the center
The report doesn't specify why France has become the hotspot. But the country has seen a string of high-profile incidents this year, including a kidnapping in Lyon and a home invasion in Paris. CertiK's data covers January through June 2026, and shows that French victims accounted for the largest share of losses among all countries tracked.
A 12-fold jump
The $124 million figure represents a dramatic escalation from the previous six-month period, when losses totaled roughly $10 million. The surge suggests that criminals are increasingly willing to use physical force to steal crypto, rather than relying on hacks or scams. Wrench attacks — named for the crude threat of violence — have long been a feared risk for high-profile holders, but the scale of the recent spike is unprecedented in the data CertiK has collected.
What the report covers
CertiK's analysis includes incidents where victims were physically coerced into transferring crypto, often under threat of violence. The firm tracks these events through public reports, law enforcement records, and victim disclosures. The 12-fold increase is based on a comparison with the second half of 2025.
The report does not include specific recommendations for prevention, but it underscores a growing security challenge for the crypto industry. For now, the data offers a stark reminder that digital assets remain vulnerable to old-fashioned physical crime.
