2025 Lock Picking Attack Geographic Risk Map: France Becomes a Global High-Risk Area

According to ChainCatcher data, lock-picking style attacks (physical threats) targeting cryptocurrency holders are showing a concerning growth trend in 2025. These targeted crimes are redefining the threat landscape of digital asset security. Data indicates a total of 72 confirmed cases worldwide, a 75% increase compared to 2024, with economic losses exceeding $40.9 million, a 44% rise from the previous year. Experts note that since many cases go unreported or involve confidentiality agreements, the actual scale of victims may be significantly higher than official statistics.

Europe Becomes the Global Hotspot, France Most Severely Threatened

Geographical distribution data reveal a worrying phenomenon: Europe accounts for over 40% of lock-picking attacks worldwide, making it an unmistakable high-risk region. Among European countries, France reports the highest number of cases, transforming from a relatively safe cryptocurrency investment location into a primary target for international criminals. Besides France, Austria, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries have also become key victim regions, attracting a large number of high-net-worth crypto asset holders and turning into “hunting grounds” for criminals. This geographical concentration suggests that Western Europe has become a new focal point for physical security risks.

Attack Escalation: Personal Threats Increase by 250%, Targeting High-End Individuals

Even more alarming is the evolution of attack methods. The report shows a 250% year-over-year increase in direct physical threats against individuals, reflecting a significant escalation in criminal tactics. Victims are no longer limited to online theft but now face physical threats in real-world spaces. Recent high-profile cases involve multiple cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their family members becoming targets, including kidnapping and coercion incidents in France, Austria, and the UAE. These cases indicate that entrepreneurs, investors, and their families holding large amounts of crypto assets have been prioritized by criminal networks.

Invisible Risks and Defense Challenges

Experts warn that official statistics represent only the tip of the iceberg. Many victims choose not to report incidents to law enforcement due to privacy concerns or confidentiality agreements with criminals, leading to a severe underestimation of the true attack scale. France, as one of Europe’s financial centers, experiences frequent cases, possibly reflecting regulatory gaps and enforcement disparities. In light of this rising trend, crypto asset holders need to reassess personal security strategies, including covert asset storage, operational secrecy, and security awareness training.