The French Ministry of the Interior has formally addressed the disturbing rise in violent incidents involving cryptocurrency holders. With reported cases of physical extortion—often dubbed 'wrench attacks'—climbing to 77, officials are shifting focus toward a more aggressive protection framework.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez unveiled a comprehensive three-part strategy designed to shield citizens from digital-asset related crime. The initiative prioritizes enhanced intelligence gathering, improved rapid response protocols for law enforcement, and specialized investigative units trained to track blockchain-based extortion.
Key pillars of the government's response:
- Deepening cooperation between local police and cybercrime divisions.
- Heightened surveillance of known physical hotspots for crypto-related activity.
- Direct public engagement to warn high-net-worth investors about emerging security risks.
As the adoption of digital assets continues to integrate into the French economy, the state is under increasing pressure to ensure that financial innovation does not come at the cost of personal safety. Authorities hope this new directive will serve as a deterrent to criminal groups targeting crypto investors.
