France charges 88 in crypto kidnapping ring

TLDR

French prosecutors have charged 88 people over a series of violent wrench attacks and kidnappings used to extort cryptocurrency from victims in France.

1. Authorities link the 88 suspects to 12 cases of kidnappings, home invasions, and forced crypto transfers, with 75 now in pre-trial detention.
2. France has become a hotspot for physical attacks on crypto holders, with incidents rising sharply and part of a wider global surge in wrench attacks.
3. Crypto users can reduce risk by limiting public exposure of their holdings, separating public-facing wallets from cold storage, and using extra safeguards for large balances.

Deep Dive

1. What France Has Charged

French authorities have charged 88 suspects, including more than 10 minors, across 12 judicial investigations into violent crypto wrench attacks, according to national organized crime prosecutor Vanessa Perre. Of these, 75 are being held in pre-trial detention on charges that include kidnapping, unlawful confinement, extortion, and money laundering by organized gangs, all tied to forced transfers of digital assets from victims wallets. These attacks involve home invasions, abductions, and in some cases hostage situations where victims are pressured to unlock devices or sign transactions under threat of violence.

Authorities say several cases were merged after investigators found the same individuals recurring across incidents, indicating structured criminal networks rather than isolated crimes.

2. How Big The Problem Has Become

French and international data show a sharp rise in physical crypto crime. The National Prosecutors Office for Organized Crime (PNACO) recorded 18 incidents in 2024, 67 in 2025, and 47 already in 2026, for roughly 135 cases since 2023, making France a global epicenter of such attacks. Blockchain security firm CertiK reports that wrench attacks globally jumped about 75% in 2025, with losses of around $40.9 million, and France accounting for a large share. Reported French cases include the kidnapping of a Ledger co-founder and several family-targeted abductions, showing that both prominent figures and less-known holders can be targeted.

3. Practical Ways To Reduce Your Risk

Prosecutors and security experts highlight a few concrete risk factors. Public flexing of crypto wealth, visible wallet addresses, ethereum-name-service/">ENS names, trading screenshots, and conference appearances make targeting easier, especially when combined with leaked personal data. Authorities urge holders and their families to avoid overexposure on social media and to treat anyone asking for addresses or identity details with suspicion.

Operationally, many experts recommend separating public-facing wallets from long-term cold storage, using multi-signature or time-locked setups for large balances, and avoiding large visible withdrawals in predictable patterns. High-profile or high-balance users may also need to consider travel, routines, and family exposure as part of their crypto security planning.

Conclusion

Frances mass charges against 88 suspects show that organized crime has moved aggressively into physical extortion of crypto holders, not just online hacks. For everyday users, the main implication is simple: the more publicly visible and easily mapped your crypto footprint is, the more attractive a target you can become, so tightening both digital and personal security around your holdings is increasingly important.