Violent crypto attacks rise as criminals hunt bigger payouts

Crypto criminals are increasingly using violent “wrench attacks” to coerce crypto owners into handing over funds, with 52 verified physical attacks globally in H1 2026—a 33% rise from the year prior—France accounting for about two-thirds of cases. The trend shows attackers targeting larger sums and homes, with total losses and ransoms reaching about US$124 million, as home invasions become the fastest-growing form of crypto-related violence and attackers increasingly profile victims using detailed data.

Violent crypto attacks rise as criminals hunt bigger payouts Saturday 19 Sep 2026 (July 21): Crypto criminals are increasingly targeting people, not just digital wallets, as violent attacks climb globally. So-called wrench attacks — where criminals use violence to coerce victims to hand over cryptocurrency — have accelerated this year, according to a new report by blockchain security firm CertiK, which tracks cyber threats and security incidents in the digital asset industry. CertiK verified 52 physical attacks against digital asset holders globally in the first half of 2026, up 33% from a year earlier. France, with 33 attacks, accounted for nearly two-thirds of publicly reported cases. The report is based on verified, publicly reported incidents identified through law enforcement disclosures, court documents, reputable media reports, victim testimony and, where available, on-chain evidence. Because many attacks go unreported, the figures likely understate the true scale of the threat. Criminals are attacking more often, going after bigger targets and reaping larger payouts. The sum of recorded losses and ransom demands rose to about US$124 million (RM506.78 million) from just US$10.5 million over the same period last year, according to the report. “The trend suggests that attackers increasingly believe that physical coercion can produce outsized returns,” CertiK researchers wrote, adding that this has changed “criminal economics". This is forcing the industry to rethink what security means in crypto. For years, the biggest concern was protecting blockchains and priv…

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