Physical attacks on Bitcoin holders are reportedly rising, with incidents this semester surging, according to the source. The trend highlights growing risks around self-custody and exposed personal data.
Weekly ‘wrench attacks’ and shifting targets
Alena Vranova, founder of SatoshiLabs, estimates at least one physical attack on Bitcoin holders occurs globally every week. She expects 2025 could double the previous annual record. These “wrench attacks” involve coercion to surrender private keys.
Victims are no longer only high-net-worth holders. According to the estimate, kidnappings have occurred for as little as $6,000 in crypto, and murders have been reported over amounts below $50,000. Opportunistic criminals appear to be widening their target pool.
Data leaks fueling real-world risk
A key driver behind the rise in physical attacks on Bitcoin holders is the scale of personal data exposure. More than 80 million crypto user records are reportedly circulating online, including over two million home addresses, due to breaches at centralized exchanges and wallet services.
As a result, attackers may find it easier to identify, locate, and pressure victims. While exact totals remain uncertain, the reported growth and severity suggest a pressing need for better operational security.
Basic precautions often cited by security practitioners include:
• Minimizing public disclosure of holdings and addresses
• Separating storage locations and using decoy devices
• Employing multisig and time-lock features where possible
For background on custody models and why they matter, see how stablecoins work as a primer on digital asset mechanics.
Education resources on crypto security are available via Security“>Wikipedia’s Bitcoin security overview, which outlines common attack vectors and defenses.
Ultimately, the reported surge in physical attacks on Bitcoin holders underscores a broader shift: data breaches can translate into offline threats, and operational security must evolve accordingly.
