Crypto 'Wrench Attacks' Cost Victims $124 Million in Six Months, CertiK Says

A new report from blockchain security firm CertiK says so-called crypto “wrench attacks” have cost victims about $124 million over the past six months, a sharp increase from previous periods. The report says these physical attacks on crypto holders are increasingly taking place at home, and that France has emerged as the epicenter.

The findings matter because they show that crypto security risks extend beyond online hacks and phishing schemes. As more holders store valuable assets in personal wallets, physical coercion and home invasions add a real-world threat that can affect user confidence and how people think about safeguarding digital assets.

CertiK’s report highlights how attackers are targeting individuals rather than platforms, which can make these incidents harder to prevent through conventional cybersecurity tools alone. The shift also underscores that personal security practices may be just as important as wallet security for crypto users.

The report’s focus on France suggests the issue is not evenly distributed across markets, and that regional conditions may be influencing where these crimes cluster. For the broader crypto ecosystem, the trend is a reminder that security challenges can evolve as adoption grows and as more value is held in self-custodied wallets.