The blockchain security auditor said violence against wallet holders was a ”core threat vector in the crypto ecosystem,” reporting a significant increase from 2024 to 2025. Physically targeting crypto users or their relatives, colloquially known as “wrench attacks,” significantly increased in the last year, according to blockchain security auditor CertiK. In a report on wrench attacks released on Sunday, CertiK said there had been 72 verified cases worldwide in 2025 in which crypto users had been subject to physical attacks. According to the platform, such attacks were “no longer edge cases,” given that physical assaults and kidnappings had increased by about 75% over incidents in 2024. “Beyond direct losses, the psychological and reputational fallout is reshaping behavior across the industry, pushing founders and high-net-worth individuals toward operational anonymity and geographical relocation,” said CertiK. “2025 marks a clear inflection point: physical violence is now a core threat vector in the crypto ...
Wrench attacks on prominent crypto executives are shaping the narrative on centralized crypto custody. Crypto custodians are reporting increased interest in their services amid the rising frequency of so-called “$5 wrench attacks” on cryptocurrency traders, investors and project leaders. In the last year, several high-profile wrench attacks — physical attempts to steal someone’s crypto — have targeted prominent investors and business executives in the blockchain industry. The crypto mantra of “not your keys, not your coins” has lost its power among some investors who fear for their personal safety. Cold wallets may offer full control over digital assets, but they also present a single point of attack. Read more