Wrench attacks multiplied in 2025: a rising threat that exceeds expectations

The cryptocurrency industry faced an unprecedented security challenge in 2025. According to data from TRM Labs, approximately 60 cases of physical attacks against cryptocurrency holders were recorded during the year, doubling the volume of incidents reported in any previous year.

A surge in coercive thefts

The numbers speak for themselves. With 60 documented attacks, 2025 sets a new historical high, significantly surpassing 2024 ( with around 41 cases ) and 2021 (36 cases). This exponential increase reflects a concerning trend: criminals are using physical coercion — threats and direct violence against individuals — to gain access to wallets and private keys.

The term “wrench” captures the essence of the danger: even the most robust encryption security layers can be bypassed through explicit physical pressure. Attackers are exploiting the fact that, ultimately, the weakest link is the human factor.

The iceberg of unreported cases

However, these official figures may only be the tip of the iceberg. Ari Redbord, head of global policies at TRM Labs, warns that the reality could be dramatically different: “The true figure could be significantly higher,” he emphasizes.

Why? There are multiple reasons explaining underreporting:

• Many crypto-related thefts are recorded as common crimes — thefts or break-ins — without investigators identifying the crypto component
• Victims often avoid reporting due to distrust of authorities or fear that they won’t understand the nature of cryptocurrencies
• Some cases never reach public statistics due to lack of institutional trust or victims’ shame

Growing visibility vs. actual risk

The fundamental question remains: are we facing a genuine epidemic or simply increased media awareness of a pre-existing threat? Redbord suggests that both narratives are valid. Public visibility is rising, but the underlying danger is probably much deeper than formal statistics reveal.

What is undeniable is that cryptocurrency holders face an increasingly tangible risk of physical violence, and current reporting systems do not capture the full extent of the problem.