135 Crypto Kidnappings: Inside the Physical Security Crisis in France

France has recorded 135 crypto related incidents since 2023, according to figures reported by Decrypt from French law enforcement, highlighting a growing physical security problem for crypto holders.

The incidents include kidnappings, home invasions, and other attempts to force victims to surrender digital assets.

High profile cases involving Ledger co-founder David Balland and the family of The Sandbox co-founder Sébastien Borget have brought wider attention to the issue.

Key Takeaways

• 135 incidents: France has recorded 135 crypto related incidents since 2023, according to reported French law enforcement figures.
• Families are also targeted: Recent cases show that criminals have targeted relatives of people believed to hold significant crypto assets.
• Physical security matters: Protecting personal information and reducing public exposure can be an important part of crypto security.

France’s Crypto Kidnapping Problem

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France has emerged as a major center for what security researchers call wrench attacks, a term used for physical coercion intended to force cryptocurrency holders to surrender access to their assets.

Decrypt reported that French law enforcement recorded 135 crypto related incidents between 2023 and April 2026, including 18 in 2024, 67 in 2025, and 47 during the first part of 2026.

The numbers cover more than traditional kidnapping. They include different forms of physical crime involving cryptocurrency, such as home invasions and unlawful confinement.

Why the issue matters

Crypto transactions can be completed digitally, but access to assets can sometimes depend on information controlled by an individual.

That creates a security concern that extends beyond passwords and online accounts.

Recent reporting also suggests that attackers increasingly consider family members and associates as potential pressure points.

Chainalysis reported that relatives and acquaintances have been targeted in some cases involving violent crypto attacks.

This makes personal privacy an important part of digital asset security.

Read Also: Crypto Kidnappings: How to Stay Safe From Wrench Attacks

David Balland and Other High Profile Cases

One of the most widely reported incidents involved Ledger co-founder David Balland and his wife.

They were kidnapped from their home in France in January 2025 and held for around 24 hours before being rescued.

Reports said Balland suffered severe injuries during the incident, including the loss of a finger.

The case became an important example of how crypto related crime can move from the digital world into physical life.

Another widely reported case involved the wife of The Sandbox co-founder and COO Sébastien Borget. In May 2026, an alleged kidnapping attempt took place at the family’s home in Villenoy.

Two teenagers were arrested in connection with the incident, while other suspects remained at large at the time of the report.

These cases show that the risk can extend to family members, rather than focusing only on the person associated with a crypto company or wallet.

How to Protect Crypto From Physical Attacks

Traditional crypto security advice usually focuses on passwords, phishing, hardware wallets, and private keys. Those measures remain important, but physical attacks create a different problem.

A person who is being threatened may be unable to safely protect their wallet credentials. This means security planning should also consider privacy and personal safety.

Practical precautions

• Limit public discussion of cryptocurrency holdings.
• Avoid sharing specific information about personal wealth online.
• Review social media posts for unnecessary information about homes, routines, or family members.
• Keep sensitive wallet information private and stored securely.
• Consider separating everyday trading funds from longer term holdings.
• Be cautious about unsolicited messages involving crypto investments or account assistance.

The goal is not to eliminate every risk. Instead, it is to reduce unnecessary exposure and avoid making personal financial information easier to connect with a real world identity.

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Why Crypto Security Now Includes Physical Safety

The rise in wrench attacks changes how cryptocurrency security needs to be viewed.

A wallet can have strong technical protection, but that does not necessarily protect the person controlling it from physical coercion.

CertiK recorded 52 verified wrench attacks worldwide during the first half of 2026, with Europe accounting for 75% of those cases. France alone accounted for 33 incidents in that dataset.

Chainalysis separately reported that France had recorded 30 incidents through mid 2026 and identified home invasions as an increasingly common form of attack.

A broader security approach

For crypto users, security can therefore include several layers:

• Digital security: Protect wallets, accounts, and private credentials.
• Privacy: Reduce unnecessary public information about holdings.
• Physical awareness: Consider how financial information connects to real world identity.
• Family awareness: Make sure close relatives understand basic privacy and scam risks.

These measures do not guarantee safety, but they can reduce unnecessary exposure.

What France’s Crypto Crime Wave Means for the Industry

The 135 incidents reported since 2023 show that crypto related crime is no longer limited to online theft.

French authorities have responded with investigations and arrests, with Decrypt reporting that prosecutors had charged 88 suspects across 12 active investigations by April 2026.

The issue also raises questions for the wider cryptocurrency industry. Exchanges, wallet providers, blockchain companies, and individual users all have different roles in reducing exposure to physical threats.

For ordinary users, the most useful lesson is relatively simple. Cryptocurrency security should not stop at protecting a seed phrase or exchange account. Personal information, public visibility, and family privacy can also matter.

As crypto ownership becomes more common, maintaining a sensible balance between participating openly in the industry and keeping financial details private may become increasingly important.

Read Also: Ridiculous: A Crypto Trader Was Kidnapped, but Then Released Due to Low Assets

Conclusion

France’s 135 reported crypto related incidents since 2023 highlight a serious shift in the nature of digital asset crime.

Cases involving Ledger co-founder David Balland and the family of The Sandbox co-founder Sébastien Borget show that the consequences can extend beyond online accounts and wallets.

Physical security, privacy, and careful management of personal information are therefore important parts of a broader crypto security strategy.

Users should avoid publicly revealing unnecessary details about their holdings and remain cautious about who can connect their digital activity with their real world identity.

Alongside personal security measures, Bitrue provides a convenient platform for easier and safer crypto trading.

FAQ

How many crypto related incidents have been reported in France?

French law enforcement has recorded 135 crypto related incidents since 2023, according to figures reported by Decrypt. The figure includes different forms of physical crime connected to cryptocurrency.

What happened to Ledger co-founder David Balland?

David Balland and his wife were kidnapped from their home in France in January 2025. Balland suffered serious injuries during the incident before the couple were rescued.

Was the family of The Sandbox co-founder targeted?

Yes. The wife of The Sandbox co-founder Sébastien Borget was targeted in an alleged kidnapping attempt at the family’s home in May 2026. Two teenagers were arrested in connection with the case.

What are crypto wrench attacks?

Wrench attacks are physical attacks or threats intended to force cryptocurrency holders to surrender access to their digital assets. They can include kidnappings, home invasions, and other forms of physical coercion.

How can crypto holders improve personal security?

Crypto holders can reduce unnecessary exposure by limiting public information about their holdings, protecting personal details, reviewing social media privacy, securing wallet credentials, and being careful about who can connect their crypto activity to their real world identity.

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