Wrench Attacks: Violence on the Rise in Crypto Robberies

A recent crypto robbery in Solihull, UK, highlights the growing threat of 'wrench attacks', violent or coercive tactics used to steal cryptocurrency from individuals.

The incident involved a businessman and his seven-months-pregnant wife, who were beaten with hammers by three masked intruders. The attackers forced the victim to transfer hundreds of thousands of pounds in cryptocurrency before fleeing with several luxury Rolex watches.

According to Chainalysis researchers, $30 million (£22.6 million) has been stolen in violent robberies through June 2026. The data suggests that 2026 may become the worst year on record for wrench attacks, with home invasions increasing in the United States, Brazil, and Thailand.