French authorities have charged at least 88 people, including ten minors, for their alleged involvement in a series of key attacks targeting cryptocurrency owners. Vanessa Perrée, national prosecutor in charge of organized crime, announced the charges on Friday.
Seventy-five of the accused are currently in pre-trial detention. These arrests concern 12 separate cases, currently being investigated by specialized judges of the Paris judicial court, under the control of the National Prosecutor’s Office responsible for organized crime (PNACO).
What is a key attack?
Keystroke attacks involve the use of physical force, threats, or coercion to gain access to a victim’s crypto wallet. This violence took various forms, including home invasions, kidnappings and extortion attempts. PNACO has recorded 18 such incidents in 2024, 67 in 2025 and 47 so far in 2026.
Blockchain security company CertiK noted a 75% global increase in such attacks in 2025 compared to the previous year. This trend has raised concerns about the personal safety of cryptocurrency holders.
Perrée stressed the seriousness of the crimes, which include arrest, kidnapping and extortion in an organized group. She said the methods used to force crypto transfers under duress cause significant harm to individuals.
Structured networks found
French law enforcement consolidated several cases after discovering that some suspected perpetrators were involved in several incidents. Perrée asserts that this reveals the presence of structured networks rather than isolated actors.
Investigations remain active. The authorities are working to identify all the perpetrators and instigators, clarify the financial channels and dismantle the networks involved.
Jameson Lopp, Casa’s head of security, maintains a global list of keystroke attacks dating back to 2014. His data shows 29 attacks so far this year, with five recorded in April alone.
Advice for crypto users
Perrée warned crypto holders and their loved ones to be more vigilant. She particularly advised against what she calls “overexposure on social networks” which could make them targets. She also warned against fraudsters posing as court officials to extract information.
Blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs explained last year that key attacks are on the rise due to the perceived anonymity of cryptography, the public visibility of wealth and the ease of collecting personal data online.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov suggested the rise in France could stem from alleged misuse of crypto investors’ tax data by a former tax official. This claim has not been confirmed by authorities.
