French Interior Minister Unveils Three-Part Security Plan After 77 Crypto Wrench Attacks

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has announced a reinforced security strategy targeting physical threats against cryptocurrency holders, as the total number of so-called 'wrench attacks' in France has reached 77.

Nuñez described the forthcoming initiative as 'more ambitious' than previous efforts, outlining a three-part plan designed specifically to strengthen protections for individuals and businesses operating in the crypto sector. The announcement signals an escalation in the French government's response to a growing wave of violent crimes linked to digital assets.

Wrench attacks — a term used to describe physical assaults or kidnappings carried out to coerce victims into transferring cryptocurrency — have surged in frequency across France. The tally of 77 recorded incidents underscores the severity of the threat landscape facing crypto holders in the country.

The Interior Ministry has not yet released a full breakdown of the three components of the plan, but Nuñez's public commitment indicates that law enforcement, legislative, and protective measures are expected to be part of the framework. Authorities are under increasing pressure to address the gap between digital asset ownership and the physical security risks that accompany it.

France has emerged as one of the European countries most visibly affected by this category of crypto-related crime. High-profile cases involving the relatives of prominent crypto entrepreneurs have drawn national attention and intensified calls for coordinated government action.

The announcement by Minister Nuñez comes as regulators and law enforcement agencies across Europe grapple with the intersection of rising crypto adoption and associated criminal activity. France's three-part security plan is expected to be detailed further in the coming weeks, with stakeholders from both the public and private sectors anticipated to be involved in its implementation.

No timeline for the rollout of specific measures has been confirmed at this stage.