Crypto Wrench Attacks Surge in France Amid Extreme Market Fear

VADODARA, February 9, 2026 — Eleven violent wrench attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders have been reported in France this year. This latest crypto news reveals a stark shift from digital to physical crime. According to DL News, attackers aim to steal private keys through coercion. Market structure suggests these incidents correlate with a broader climate of extreme fear.

Investigation: Systemic Security Failures in France

DL News reports eleven confirmed wrench attacks in 2026. A majority occurred in France. Attackers use physical force to extract private keys from victims. This method bypasses technological safeguards entirely.

Historical data indicates a troubling precedent. In 2025, a French tax authority employee leaked investor identities to criminals. This breach likely facilitated targeted attacks. Consequently, personal data became a weapon.

, the crypto tax firm Waltio suffered a hack in January 2026. It exposed 50,000 customer records. Email addresses and tax forms were compromised. This created a rich dataset for malicious actors.

Market Context & Historical Precedent

Physical attacks on crypto holders are not new. However, their frequency is rising sharply. As direct ownership grows, so does the attack surface. The report explains this trend clearly.

In contrast, traditional financial crime focuses on digital breaches. Crypto's unique asset class invites physical coercion. Private keys represent direct, irreversible control. This makes holders prime targets.

Related developments highlight a fragmented regulatory . For instance, China's approach to real-world assets shows selective approval amid stablecoin bans. Meanwhile, the Fed's stalemate on crypto market structure bills exacerbates uncertainty. These factors contribute to the current extreme fear sentiment.

Technical Architecture & Price Action

Market data reveals a critical juncture. Bitcoin trades at $70,795, down 0.60% in 24 hours. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index sits at 14/100. This indicates extreme fear among investors.

Technical analysis shows key support at the $70,000 psychological level. A break below could trigger a sell-off toward the 200-day moving average near $68,500. On-chain metrics, such as UTXO age bands, suggest long-term holders are not capitulating yet.

However, the wrench attacks introduce a non-technical risk factor. They undermine confidence in personal security. This could accelerate outflows from self-custody solutions. Market structure suggests a liquidity grab may be underway.

By The Numbers

Why It Matters

These attacks matter for three reasons. First, they shift risk from technology to individuals. Second, they expose regulatory gaps in data protection. Third, they threaten retail adoption growth.

Institutional investors monitor such events closely. Physical security breaches add a layer of operational risk. This could delay broader capital allocation. Consequently, market liquidity may suffer.

Retail holders face immediate danger. The attacks highlight the importance of operational security. Using hardware wallets and multi-signature setups becomes critical. Market analysts stress this point repeatedly.

Expert Commentary

"The surge in wrench attacks is a direct consequence of poor data governance. When tax authorities and service providers leak information, they paint targets on holders' backs. This isn't a crypto problem; it's a systemic failure of traditional institutions to protect citizen data. The market's extreme fear reflects this breakdown in trust." — CoinMarketBuzz Intelligence Desk

Market Outlook & Price Scenarios

Two scenarios emerge from current data. The bullish case requires holding key support levels. The bearish case involves further fear-driven selling.

• Bullish Invalidation Level: $73,500. A break above this resistance would signal a reversal of the fear narrative, potentially driven by regulatory clarity or institutional inflows.
• Bearish Invalidation Level: $68,500. A break below this support, aligning with the 200-day moving average, would confirm a deeper correction, likely exacerbated by ongoing security concerns.

The 12-month outlook hinges on regulatory response. If authorities in France and globally address data leaks, confidence could rebuild. Otherwise, physical attacks may persist, capping retail growth. Over a 5-year horizon, robust identity protection frameworks will become as critical as blockchain security itself.