According to Bitcoin journalist Joe Nakamoto, about 70% of all key attacks, physical attacks on cryptocurrency holders and their families carried out to steal digital assets, take place in France.
Were 41 cryptocurrency-related kidnappings in France so far in 2026, Nakamoto he saidor about one attack every two and a half days, he added.
He attributed the rise in wrench attacks to know-your-customer data collection, which is stored on centralized servers that have been compromised in several high-profile data breaches, including the 2020 leak of customer data from hardware wallet provider Ledger.
Overview of wrench attacks so far in 2026 Source: Joe Nakamoto
He added that the data breach exposed the identities, home addresses and emails of more than 270,000 customers worldwide. Jameson Lopp, CEO of cryptocurrency wallet and key management company Casa, he said: :
“France is the canary in the coal mine, showing how financial regulation creates a surveillance apparatus that causes direct harm to bitcoin holders.”
There is growing opposition to know-your-customer data collection in the cryptocurrency and Bitcoin communities as holders of digital assets. they continue to be targeted by physical attacks and kidnapping, which created the need increased security measures.
Related: Europe sees ‘hyperconcentration’ of attacks on cryptographic keys as losses reach $101 million
Don’t be a target: Bitcoiners offer advice on how to protect yourself from attacks
The attacks are usually organized by criminals living abroad who order physical attacks to be carried out by newborn people living in France, Nakamoto said.
Users can stay secure by using cryptocurrency storage services that offer security features such as a pre-agreed word or phrase that lets the company storing or managing the keys know that the holder is under energetic attack.
Database of known key attacks. Source: GitHub
The company can then freeze the assets, ensuring attackers cannot access them, or even alert law enforcement, he added.
He also suggested keeping a “decoy” cryptocurrency wallet with a tiny amount of funds to hand over to criminals in the event of an attack.
Finally, cryptocurrency holders should exercise discretion and not discuss cryptocurrency-related topics on the Internet or make public information that they own digital assets, he added.
At least 88 people were detained according to Vanessa Perrée, national prosecutor for organized crime, in connection with attacks using cryptographic keys in France.
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