Armed Robbers Steal Crypto from Home in Birmingham

Armed robbers broke into a home near Birmingham, England, and forced a couple to transfer their cryptocurrency at knifepoint. The attack on December 13, 2025, was a shocking reminder of the risks that come with holding digital assets.

The thieves made off with luxury watches and drove away in a black BMW X3. Authorities believe the couple was specifically targeted, raising questions about how thieves find out who holds valuable cryptocurrency.

Crypto security firm CertiK reported a rise in 'wrench attacks' in 2026, where robbers use force to steal crypto assets. The number of wrench attacks increased from 39 to 52 in the first half of 2026, with victims losing an average of $2.4 million.

The incident highlights the importance of keeping cryptocurrency holdings private and securing both identity and keys. To do this, holders should separate their coins across multiple addresses, avoid posting updates on balances or profits, and review old posts to delete any information that could link their identity to compromised addresses.