Surge in “Wrench Attacks” Highlights Urgent Need for Crypto Holder Safety
The alarming rise in kidnappings and physical assaults against Bitcoin investors is prompting urgent calls for stronger personal security measures — even for those holding modest amounts of cryptocurrency.
At the Baltic Honeybadger 2025 conference in Riga, Latvia, SatoshiLabs founder Alena Vranova warned that “at least one Bitcoiner is kidnapped somewhere in the world every week.” These incidents, often referred to as wrench attacks, involve criminals using physical violence to force victims to surrender their crypto private keys.
What’s especially troubling is that targets are not limited to high-profile investors. Vranova revealed that cases have occurred for as little as $6,000 worth of crypto, while in some instances, victims have been killed over holdings of $50,000. “This is not just a problem for Bitcoin OGs,” she emphasized.
Centralized Data Leaks Fuel Criminal Targeting
The surge in attacks is closely tied to data breaches from centralized crypto exchanges and service providers that store sensitive user information. These breaches often expose home addresses, making it easier for criminals to locate and target victims.
Vranova disclosed that over 80 million crypto user identities have been leaked online, with 2.2 million records containing physical addresses. She warned that these risks intensify during bull markets, when Bitcoin’s rising value increases the incentive for attackers.
Global Cybercrime Landscape Growing More Dangerous
The crypto industry has already witnessed several major security incidents in 2025. In May, a major exchange disclosed a breach affecting customer addresses and personal information. By June, cybersecurity researchers reported databases with more than 16 billion leaked user credentials, including accounts linked to tech giants — a goldmine for phishing, hacking, and identity theft attempts.
With Bitcoin trading above $120,000, experts fear that the rate of physical and cyber attacks will hit record highs this year.
“If you hold cryptocurrency, even a small amount, you must take your personal safety seriously,” Vranova urged. Investors are increasingly turning to cold storage, anonymity tools, and off-grid security measures to protect themselves from both online and offline threats.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.