France Is World’s Most Dangerous Place For Bitcoiners: 90 Attacks in 7 Months
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Article Details
Written by: Christina Comben, staff writer Edited by: Andrew Fenton, staff editor
France as a Hotspot for Crypto Attacks
France has emerged as the most dangerous place in the world for Bitcoiners, with 90 crypto-related cases involving kidnapping, abduction, extortion, threats, and violent theft reported in just seven months.
Key Figures:
- 90 cases from January 1 to mid-August 2026.
- 223 arrests, with 126 people imprisoned during the same period.
- Approximately a new case every two and a half days.
These figures, provided by the French Interior Ministry, surpass other public trackers of physical attacks. Chainalysis reported 30 violent crypto incidents in France through mid-2026, while Gart.io tracked 73 attacks in the year to date, putting France ahead of the USA and UK in terms of real-world attacks.
The Rise of Physical Attacks
The increase in "wrench attacks" on crypto holders in France suggests a broader issue, potentially linked to leaked personal data.
Why France?
While wrench attacks are not new, their rapid spread across France is noteworthy. Chainalysis has documented attacks beyond Paris, including Strasbourg, Marseille, Grenoble, Toulouse, and Nantes.
Attacks Targeting French Crypto Holders:
- 93% of victims with known residency were French.
- A significant data breach, likely involving the French tax authority in 2024, is suspected as the primary cause.
- Subsequent breaches at crypto tax reporting firm Waltio in January 2026 further exacerbated the situation.
Conclusion
The surge in crypto-related violence in France highlights the dangers of compromised personal data, enabling attackers to target individuals long before a physical assault occurs.