According to CertiK, cryptocurrency holders lost approximately $101 million from wrench attacks in the first four months of 2026, with 34 verified incidents globally—a 41% increase from the same period in 2025. If the trend continues, the firm estimates hundreds of millions in losses for the full year. Notably, 82% of attacks occurred in Europe, with France recording 24 incidents. Wrench attacks, physical assaults and extortion targeting crypto holders, have become an established threat vector. A significant shift has emerged: more than half of 2026 incidents targeted family members of primary victims, either as direct targets or pressure levers. Attackers increasingly employ data-driven targeting, purchasing victim information from online brokers rather than relying solely on physical surveillance.
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