Total financial exposure from physical crypto crime reached $124.1 million in the first half of 2026. A CertiK report revealed 52 verified incidents of wrench attacks - physical violence, threats, or intimidation used to force victims into transferring assets or handing over private keys. This figure marks a 1,079% increase compared to the same period last year.
During the first quarter of 2026, 35 incidents were recorded, outpacing the 22 cases seen in early 2025. This pace slowed to 17 cases in the second quarter, matching the number of incidents recorded in the same period a year prior.
France Becomes Epicenter as Home Invasions Surge
Europe was the hardest-hit region, accounting for 39 of the 52 verified attacks, or 75% of the global total. France dominated as the primary target with 33 incidents, representing 63.5% of all worldwide cases and 84.6% in Europe. French National Police records even confirmed 41 cases between January and March alone. By comparison, the US recorded only 4 incidents, followed by Sweden and the UK with 2 cases each.
French authorities responded to the trend by indicting 88 suspects across 12 investigations through late April 2026. Attack patterns have also shifted. Home invasion cases climbed sharply to 20 in the first half of 2026, up from just 1 case the previous year, accounting for 41% of all attacks. Kidnappings rose from 12 to 16 incidents, while torture cases remained at 4 and 1 homicide was recorded.
Attackers employed various tactics, ranging from posing as delivery couriers to gain entry into homes to targeting the families of crypto holders. The wife of The Sandbox co-founder Sébastien Borget was even targeted in an attempted kidnapping in France.
The Steep Cost of Executive Protection
CertiK’s $124.1 million figure represents recorded exposure rather than confirmed stolen funds, as many victims do not report incidents. The rising threat has prompted industry players to spend heavily on physical security.
Coinbase spent $8.7 million in 2025 solely to protect CEO Brian Armstrong. Gemini pays $400,000 per month for executive protection. MARA reported $4.3 million in security expenses, with $430,000 used to armor CEO Fred Thiel’s vehicle.
To address these vulnerabilities, CertiK recommends that users separate signing devices from recovery materials. For high-net-worth holders, multi-party control systems are advised to prevent a single individual from being able to transfer all assets under duress.
Armored vehicles and private bodyguards may curb threats for exchange executives. But for everyday users, the last line of defense begins with distributing access keys to their own wallets.
Source: crypto.news.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
