Crypto Thieves Target Homes with Valuable Cryptocurrency

Three men broke into a home near Birmingham, England on December 13, 2025, and threatened a pregnant woman at knifepoint to steal cryptocurrency worth potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars. The robbers, who were directed by a fourth accomplice via video call, also stole luxury watches and drove away in a black BMW X3. In September 2026, Crimestoppers offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to their arrest.

Authorities believe the couple was specifically targeted, raising questions about how thieves find out who holds valuable cryptocurrency. As reported by CertiK, 'wrench attacks', robberies using force to steal crypto assets, have increased significantly in 2026, with victims losing an average of $2.4 million.

The incident highlights the importance of keeping crypto holdings private and securing both identity and keys. Every Bitcoin transaction is recorded on a public ledger, making it possible for anyone to monitor an address's balance. However, holders may unintentionally provide links between their identity and a public address through social media posts, public profiles, conferences, online forums, or word of mouth.

To keep crypto private, holders should separate coins across multiple addresses, ideally in addresses not linked to their name. Silence can also reduce the risk by avoiding updates on balances, profits, or losses. When an old post shows a balance or address, it's best to delete the information as it can reveal the full balance to anyone checking the blockchain explorer.

Another critical decision for crypto holders is who controls the keys. Using a regulated custodian or exchange-traded fund (ETF) means a robber may find no keys to demand. However, this choice introduces reliance on the company's stability and honesty, as seen in the collapse of FTX in 2022.