Physical Attacks on Crypto Holders Hit Alarming Levels
A new report from blockchain security firm CertiK revealed that physical attacks against cryptocurrency holders reached record levels during the first months of 2026.
According to the study, there were 34 verified “wrench attacks” globally between January and April this year. The figure represents a 41% increase compared to the same period in 2025, while estimated financial losses have already climbed to roughly $101 million.
CertiK described the trend as a “significantly underreported phenomenon” warning that the actual number of incidents is likely much higher than publicly documented cases.
What Are Wrench Attacks?
Wrench attacks involve criminals using physical violence, kidnapping, intimidation, or extortion to force victims into handing over crypto wallet access, private keys, or digital assets.
The phrase comes from an old joke within the crypto community suggesting that even the strongest encryption can fail if someone is threatened with a simple wrench.
Unlike traditional hacks that exploit code vulnerabilities, these attacks target investors directly in the physical world.
Europe Emerges as the Main Hotspot
The report found that Europe now accounts for 82% of all recorded physical crypto attacks, a dramatic rise from 39.5% during all of 2025.
France has become the center of concern. CertiK recorded 24 separate incidents in France alone within just four months, already surpassing the country’s total number of crypto-related attacks for the entirety of last year.
Earlier in April, Pavel Durov claimed that France had experienced 41 crypto-linked kidnapping incidents in only three and a half months during 2026.
Durov argued that the leaking of sensitive information, including tax records and personal financial data, is making wealthy crypto investors easier to identify and track.
Meanwhile, reported incidents declined sharply in other regions. North America reportedly saw attacks drop from 9 to 3, while Asia fell from 25 cases to only 2 during the same timeframe.
Criminal Groups Are Becoming More Sophisticated
According to CertiK, modern wrench attacks are no longer random crimes.
Instead of physically following victims, criminal groups are increasingly relying on data-driven targeting. Attackers are reportedly purchasing:
- home addresses,
- financial profiles,
- phone numbers,
- and identity records
from online brokers and leaked databases.
The report also noted a disturbing increase in attacks involving family members and associates of crypto holders.
More than half of the French incidents this year involved relatives being threatened or directly targeted to pressure the main victim.
One high-profile case involved the 84-year-old mother of journalist Savannah Guthrie, who was kidnapped earlier this year during a $6 million Bitcoin ransom attempt.
Younger Criminal Networks Are Driving the Trend
French authorities reportedly indicted 88 suspects in late April connected to crypto-related violent crimes.
More than ten of those suspects were minors.
The charges included kidnapping, extortion, unlawful confinement, and money laundering, showing how organized and structured these operations have become.
CertiK Warns Attacks Could Keep Rising
If the current pace continues, CertiK estimates there could be roughly 130 physical crypto attacks globally by the end of 2026, potentially resulting in losses worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
The growing threat is forcing many investors to rethink how they protect not only their wallets but also their personal privacy and physical safety.
Investors Are Being Told to Stay Less Visible
Security experts now warn that protecting crypto holdings requires far more than hardware wallets and strong passwords.
Many investors are being advised to avoid publicly discussing:
- wallet balances,
- trading profits,
- luxury purchases,
- or crypto-related wealth on social media.
Experts also recommend separating personal identities from crypto accounts whenever possible to reduce exposure to targeted attacks.
