Wrench Attacks on Crypto Holders Soar in 2026, $30M Stolen by Mid-Year

Violent 'wrench attacks' targeting cryptocurrency holders have surged in 2026, with over $30 million stolen globally in the first half of the year. This is on track to surpass the record $58 million stolen in 2025, according to Chainalysis data.

France has emerged as a hotspot for these attacks, logging 30 publicly reported incidents through mid-2026, compared to only 19 in all of 2025. A data breach at the French tax authority in 2024 is believed to have fueled this surge, where dossiers on high-net-worth cryptocurrency holders were reportedly sold to criminal intermediaries.

Globally, wrench attacks have shifted in both scope and strategy. Home invasions now account for 37% of incidents in 2026, up from 26% in 2023, while kidnappings remain a consistent 52%. France and the United States lead in home invasions, while kidnapping rates are particularly high in France.

Security experts and law enforcement agencies are urging crypto holders to strengthen their operational security. Key steps include avoiding public disclosure of crypto holdings, using multi-signature wallets with geographically dispersed signers, and implementing time delays or withdrawal limits to deter attackers.