$41M in Losses as Crypto Wrench Attacks Hit Record High in 2025
Violent attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders—including kidnappings, torture, and home invasions—surged globally in 2025, with 72 verified incidents, up 75% from 2024. Confirmed financial losses exceeded $40.9 million, a 44% rise year over year. Kidnapping became the most prevalent method, and physical assaults rose 250%. Europe accounted for over 40% of global incidents, led by France with 19 attacks, overtaking the U.S., which saw its share drop to 12.5%. France’s rise is attributed to organized crypto-jacking groups, and incidents are believed to be underreported. Notably, a French tax official was charged with leaking investor data to criminals. Asia remained high risk, with attacks concentrated on crypto-tourists and expats. High-profile incidents included the kidnapping and assault of Ledger co-founder David Balland. To mitigate risk, CertiK recommends using decoy wallets, separating seed phrases and hardware wallets geographically, limiting public disclosure of crypto holdings, and for institutions, employing multi-signature wallets, time-locked contracts, and executive protection protocols extending to associates and family.
