Violent Attacks on Crypto Holders Soar Amidst Bitcoin Price Surge
Bitcoin's recent price surge has led to an increase in violent attacks targeting people believed to control valuable crypto wallets. According to Jameson Lopp's database, which tracks publicly disclosed incidents since 2014, the UK ranks third globally for physical attacks involving crypto holders.
The database shows that France leads with 68 recorded cases, followed by the US at 59 and the UK at 24. The UK total includes an April 2026 attack in Maidenhead where crypto executive Oliver von Landsberg-Sadie's home was raided by four men, who tied up and threatened Sadie and his family to hand over crypto.
France has seen a significant surge in attacks this year, with 41 incidents recorded during the first nine months of 2026. This is almost three times the number recorded over the equivalent period in 2025. Other datasets suggest that Lopp's figures may substantially underestimate the problem.