French Authorities To Roll Out New Protective Measures Amid Crypto Wrench Attacks Rise

As France turns into a hotspot for crypto-related kidnappings and “wrench assaults,” authorities have introduced contemporary measures to crack down on these crimes and enhance the safety of digital asset holders within the nation.

French Authorities To Boost Crypto Holders’ Security

On Thursday, Jean-Didier Berger, minister delegate to the inside minister of France, revealed that the ministry is getting ready new measures to guard crypto asset holders amid the surge in kidnappings and wrench assaults within the nation.

Speaking on the Paris Blockchain Week, Berger addressed issues concerning the cryptocurrency-related kidnappings, affirming that the French authorities is conscious of the rising risk and takes it “very significantly.”

He emphasised that authorities already took preliminary “preventative measures” to strengthen protections, together with check-ups at crypto executives’ houses, particular briefings by elite police tactical items, and a prevention platform that has attracted hundreds of sign-ups.

During his panel, Berger famous that crimes and cybercrimes associated to cryptocurrencies have grow to be extra common as a result of business’s adoption, including that they might improve over time because the sector grows.

Therefore, the federal government desires to bolster safety to forestall these assaults “within the coming weeks” with a brand new bundle of measures, which Berger has been engaged on alongside Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Nonetheless, he didn’t disclose particular particulars on these potential measures.

Bloomberg reported that Paris Blockchain Week’s organizers had labored intently with native police and the inside ministry to reinforce safety on the occasion, with round half a dozen police vans lined up close to the convention entrance on Wednesday morning.

In addition, a police motorcade escorted friends to a VIP dinner within the Palace of Versailles on Tuesday. Berger addressed the sturdy safety measures, affirming that “it demonstrates the willpower of the federal government and of France to assist you, help you, and shield you in all circumstances.”

France Sees Unprecedented Attack Numbers In 2026

Berger’s remarks and the heightened safety on the occasion observe a surge in crypto-related attacks in France. Last week, a household was kidnapped in Anglet by 4 males in an unsuccessful try to receive $471,000 in crypto.

The attackers reportedly tied a mom and her 11-year-old little one with {an electrical} cable and beat the daddy, who’s a crypto entrepreneur, and grandfather, earlier than police arrived. In March, native information retailers reported that three people posing as cops held a person and a girl of their late fifties captive of their house in Le Chesnay, Yvelines. The trio demanded a ransom of $1.06 million in Bitcoin.

RTL information not too long ago unveiled that France has seen an unprecedented improve in these assaults. The nation has constantly been a outstanding goal for such incidents, with over a 3rd of all publicly reported wrench assaults globally occurring inside its borders since 2025.

According to the report, the National Directorate of the Judicial Police (DNPJ) has recorded 41 crypto-related incidents throughout all companies because the begin of 2026. “This represents an exponential improve, on condition that the Criminal Investigation Department had recorded solely about twenty kidnappings between 2023 and 2025,” RLT famous.

Despite the regarding numbers, the French National Assembly superior a provision requiring taxpayers to declare funds over €5,000 held in self-custody wallets, comparable to Metamask and Ledger.

According to Gregory Raymond, co-founder of The Big Whale, this might mark a significant enlargement of the reporting scope, which was restricted to accounts held on platforms. Some crypto customers have expressed their concern concerning the potential measure, with artist Pascal Boyart claiming that the federal government is “rendering the judicial system inoperative + kyc as kidnap your buyer.”

Nonetheless, Raymond has famous that the availability is unlikely to outlive the Joint Committee (CMP), and if it progresses, the textual content may very well be referred to the Constitutional Council.