According to Bitcoin journalist Joe Nakamoto, around 70% of all keystrokes, physical attacks against crypto holders and their families, carried out with the aim of stealing digital assets, occur in France.
There was 41 crypto-related kidnappings in France so far in 2026, Nakamoto saidor about one attack every two and a half days, he added.
He attributed the rise in key attacks to the collection of know-your-customer data, which is stored in centralized servers that have been compromised by several high-profile data breaches, including the 2020 leak of customer data from hardware wallet provider Ledger.
An overview of key attacks in France so far in 2026. Source: Joe Nakamoto
This leaked data revealed the identities, home addresses and email addresses of more than 270,000 customers worldwide, it added. Jameson Lopp, CEO of crypto wallet and key management company Casa, said:
“France is the canary in the coal mine, demonstrating how financial regulation creates a surveillance system that causes direct harm to bitcoin holders.”
Opposition to the collection of know-your-customer data is growing within the crypto and Bitcoin communities, as holders of digital assets. continue to be the target of physical attacks and kidnappings, which makes it necessary increased security measures.
Related: Europe sees ‘hyperconcentration’ of cryptographic key attacks as losses reach $101 million
Don’t become a target: Bitcoiners offer tips to protect yourself against attacks
The attacks are usually orchestrated by criminals living abroad, who hire young people living in France to carry out physical attacks, Nakamoto said.
Users can stay safe by using crypto custodial services that offer security features such as a pre-agreed word or phrase that lets a custodial or key management company know that the holder is actively under attack.
A database of known key attacks. Source: GitHub
The company can then freeze the assets, ensuring attackers don’t access them, and can even alert law enforcement authorities, he explained.
He also suggested keeping a “decoy” crypto wallet with a small amount of money to hand over to criminals in the event of an attack.
Finally, crypto holders should keep a low profile and not discuss crypto topics online or make it known publicly that they hold digital assets, he added.
At least 88 people were arrested In connection with cryptographic key attacks in France, according to Vanessa Perrée, the country’s national organized crime prosecutor.
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