A 32-year-old man has been indicted in Nancy, France, for his alleged role in a violent "wrench attack" on a couple, attempting to steal €20,000 in cryptocurrency. The attack occurred after a January data breach at French crypto tax platform Waltio exposed the personal information and crypto balances of 50,000 users. The three suspects posed as police officers, brutally beating the couple outside their home before fleeing when their daughters called police. The indicted man faces charges of attempted extortion with a weapon and attempted kidnapping. This incident is part of a rising trend of physical attacks on crypto holders in France, including the kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland and other high-profile cases. Experts attribute this to criminals adopting violence for crypto theft, with the U.S. and Ukraine also seeing similar crimes. The French Interior Minister has pledged to work with crypto leaders on security measures.

Key facts

• 32-year-old indicted in Nancy for attack on crypto holder after Waltio data breach.
• Three suspects posed as police, beat couple, fled after victims' daughters called police.
• Waltio breach exposed 50,000 users' emails, crypto balances; preceded the attack.
• Part of rising crypto wrench attacks in France, including Ledger co-founder kidnapping.
• French authorities charge 88 suspects in 12 investigations into crypto kidnappings.