The inventor of the telegraph Pavel Durov he recently took to his platform to issue a dire warning about the increasing number of attacks targeting the crypto community. According to Durov, France has noticed 41 stolen from crypto holders in the first 3.5 months of 2026 alone.
The alarming figures come amid systemic failures in data protection and a controversial push for France to access private citizen information. As the ambitions of the crypto hub in France face the most difficult tests, the intersection of tax transparency and material security has become an area of great concern for companies.
The Growth of “Wrench Attacks” and Thefts in 2026
The term “wrench attack”-Physical violence used to force a victim to hand over their private keys-has gone from a serious threat to an everyday occurrence for many investors. The 41 reported thefts show an increase compared to previous years.
Example of Violence
- Seizure Objectives: Criminals don’t just steal hot bags; knocking on doors.
- Brutal Methods: High-profile cases, such as the 2025 attack on Ledger co-founder David Balland, where victims were permanently injured in order to release a ransom, set a dire example.
- Damage to the Contract: Recent reports indicate that family members, including children and friends, are increasingly being held hostage to facilitate the release of Bitcoin and other liquid assets.
“Ghalia C.” Scandal: How Tax Data Got to Criminals
Durov worries a lot about how terrorists choose their targets. He specifically pointed to a serious breach of trust within the French tax administration (DGFiP).
Research has found the services of Ghalia C.a 32-year-old tax official is accused of selling classified information from the government’s “Mira” program to terrorist groups. The app, which aims to manage finances, contains the addresses, total funds, and cryptocurrencies of French citizens.
The breach is said to have led to organized crime syndicates creating “lists” of wealthy individuals who sell fake surgeries. This shows a major flaw in centralized storage: when a government mandates the collection of all cryptocurrencies, it creates a honey pot that cannot be challenged by insider and outsider fraudsters.
Surveillance vs. Protection: The New Legal War
While the government is struggling to protect its existing reserves, it is simultaneously pushing for more. Mr. Durov also said that the French government is going to search government IDs and access to private messages for media users.
Risks of Privacy Policy
France has already taken a tough stance against platforms that target privacy. The 2024 construction of Durov himself at Le Bourget airport was the most difficult time in the project. Critics argue that by removing digital anonymity, the government is inadvertently giving criminals the means they need to be destroyed.
Under the form of Digital Services Act (DSA) and local age verification, the “de-anonymization” of the Internet is progressing. For a crypto holder, the link between their digital holder and their home address is a problem that can have dire consequences.
How to Protect Your Assets in Dangerous Environments
With the crypto market still volatile and physical risks on the rise, investors should reconsider their sanity. Relying on government security is seen as inadequate due to the current data leaks.
- Use Cold Storage: Don’t save too much money on the exchange. Check out ours hardware wallet comparison for the best online deals.
- Multi-sig Wallets: Use keys that require multiple keys stored in different locations. This makes a “wrench attack” on one person fruitless.
- OPSEC (Operations Security): Avoid discussing your personal feelings in public or on TV.
- Institutional Security: For people of high value, using a certified public accountant can make the difference between your identity and the acquisition of property.
As he said The Guardianeven judges are not protected from these ransom schemes, showing that the crimes involved are becoming more daring.
