France was rocked this week by yet another crime targeting people who hold cryptocurrencies. A 23‑year‑old man was seized in a suburb of Paris and forced to reveal where he kept his digital keys. This case highlights how real‑world dangers can follow the money trails in the blockchain world.
Around the world, similar “wrench attacks” have made headlines. New York prosecutors charged two people for kidnapping a tourist to get his crypto.
Experts warn that hardware wallets aren’t foolproof against violence. If criminals force someone to plug in their device, the cold storage protection vanishes.
Some wallets let you set up a decoy account. That could limit losses if someone is threatened. Splitting assets across multiple wallets, or using multi‑signature setups, also helps.
Despite growing awareness, arrests in these cases remain rare. As of Thursday, French police hadn’t named any suspects. Victims often stay silent, fearing publicity or more threats.
But every story puts more pressure on law enforcement to act. Crypto companies, too, face calls to build features that protect users under duress.
France’s latest incident is a stark reminder: real danger lurks where money flows freely. Crypto can be digital, but those who use it live in the physical world. Staying safe means guarding both private keys and personal well‑being.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
