CertiK Report: Wrench Attacks Cost Crypto Victims $124M in Six Months

In the first half of 2026, blockchain security firm CertiK verified 52 incidents of "wrench attacks," where criminals use physical violence or threats to coerce victims into surrendering their cryptocurrency. This number represents an increase of about 33% from the 39 attacks reported during the same period in 2025. The financial impact has escalated significantly, with total recorded exposure rising to $124.1 million, compared to just $10.5 million in H1 2025. This marks an almost twelve-fold increase, lifting the average loss per incident from $270,000 to $2.39 million.

CertiK highlights that reports of wrench attacks primarily come from Europe, which accounts for 75% of these incidents. France is particularly noteworthy, responsible for 33 cases—approximately 64%—of the global total. The surge in wrench attacks, notably home invasions, indicates that aggressors are expanding their tactics to include direct assaults on the residences and families of victims.

In the report, CertiK underlines that the recorded figures reflect not just outright thefts but also ransom demands and frozen or recovered assets. However, it warns that the actual figures may be underestimated due to victims' fears of retaliation or reputational damage, leading to significant under-reporting.

Referring to the evolving nature of these crimes, CertiK notes a marked increase in home invasions—from just one incident reported in H1 2025 to 20 in the first half of 2026. These incidents now comprise about 41% of all reported wrench attacks. Kidnappings also remain a concern, increasing from 12 to 16 cases, along with incidents of murder.

CertiK attributes France's prominence in wrench attacks to its vibrant crypto ecosystem and a string of data breaches, which have provided attackers with target lists. As detailed in their CertiK Intel3D H1 2026 Wrench Attacks Report, violent crime connected to cryptocurrency is increasingly prevalent and requires urgent attention.