The Grisliest Bitcoin and Crypto Wrench Attacks That Grabbed Headlines in 2025
In 2025, physical attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders, known as wrench attacks, have increased alongside rising crypto prices. At least 65 incidents have been documented, though many likely go unreported. Notable cases include the kidnapping and mutilation of Ledger co-founder David Balland in France, with suspects later arrested. In Canada, a family was tortured and robbed of $1.6 million in crypto, with attackers using violence and sexual assault to coerce access. In London, an American tourist was drugged and robbed of over $120,000 in crypto after being lured into a fake Uber. In New York, two men faced charges after allegedly torturing an Italian businessman for crypto passwords, though they pleaded not guilty and questioned the victim’s account. One of the most violent incidents occurred in Vienna, where a Ukrainian student was kidnapped, brutally beaten, burned, and ultimately killed, with his attackers later arrested in Ukraine. These incidents highlight the increasing physical risks faced by crypto investors as digital assets gain mainstream visibility.
