Violence Against Crypto Holders Surges 170% in Six Months
Physical attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders have skyrocketed by 170% over a six-month period, according to a Forbes investigation. The report documents 48 violent incidents globally—already surpassing 2023's total—with 35 occurring since late February alone. France emerges as a hotspot with 14 cases, many involving forced wallet access or transactions under duress.
Security analysts attribute the trend to two factors: growing crypto wealth concentration and the visibility of self-custodied assets. Attack methods range from kidnappings to 'wrench attacks'—physical coercion to extract passwords. Unlike exchange-held funds, self-custody wallets enable instant transfers, making holders prime targets for criminals demanding on-the-spot transactions.
