7 Ways to Protect Yourself From Violent Crypto Attacks (Without a Shotgun)
Cryptocurrency holders face growing risks of physical coercion in pursuit of their assets. The infamous "$5 wrench attack"—a theoretical threat from 2009—has evolved into a real-world concern as digital asset adoption expands. Practical defenses now include multisignature wallets with time-delayed withdrawals, pre-planned verbal scripts for duress situations, and maintaining decoy wallets with modest balances.
Operational security remains paramount. Public disclosures of holdings or wallet structures create unnecessary attack surfaces. The crypto community increasingly treats privacy as a non-negotiable layer of protection, akin to cold storage for high-value portfolios. These measures form a new baseline for asset protection beyond technical safeguards.
