France Leads in Violent Crypto Attacks With 90 Incidents in Seven Months

violent crypto attacks — French authorities have recorded 90 violent crypto-related crimes, including kidnappings and extortion, in the first seven months of 2026, making the country a global hotspot for such attacks.

The Interior Ministry data, covering January 1 to mid-August, equates to a new case every two and a half days. The figures include 223 arrests and 126 imprisonments from January to July. Security firm Gart.io’s tracker places France first globally for real-world attacks, ahead of the United States and the United Kingdom.

Chainalysis researchers suggest the surge is “very likely” linked to significant data breaches, including a 2024 leak from the French tax authority that exposed taxpayer crypto holdings. A subsequent breach at crypto tax firm Waltio in January 2026, affecting 50,000 users, may have provided further targeting data.

Attacks have spread beyond Paris to cities like Strasbourg and Marseille. Chainalysis notes that in over 40% of French cases, the victims were relatives or acquaintances of crypto holders, indicating a shift in criminal tactics.