Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin holders face rising threats as "wrench attacks" surge globally

Recent reports indicate a disturbing surge in targeted kidnappings of Bitcoin holders, with at least one individual being abducted every week in what is being termed "wrench attacks"—violent crimes aimed at coercing victims into surrendering their private keys or hardware wallets [1]. These attacks typically involve abduction, physical intimidation, and, in some cases, torture, as perpetrators seek access to victims’ valuable digital assets [5].

In New York, law enforcement charged John Woeltz and William Duplessie for the abduction of a crypto holder in SoHo, where they allegedly attempted to steal Bitcoin through coercion [4]. Meanwhile, in Paris, multiple suspects were arrested for targeting the relatives of a cryptocurrency entrepreneur, further illustrating the global scale of this emerging threat [4]. These incidents have prompted authorities to emphasize the need for stronger security measures to protect both the financial and personal safety of crypto holders [5].

Alena Vranova, founder of SatoshiLabs and creator of the TREZOR hardware wallet, has warned of the increasing physical and digital vulnerabilities facing cryptocurrency users. Speaking at the Baltic Honeybadger 2025 conference, she stressed the importance of combining digital security with real-world precautions, such as monitoring for surveillance, avoiding phishing attempts, and being wary of individuals using fake identities [2]. She emphasized that the threat is not limited to high-net-worth individuals; even those holding as little as $6,000 in crypto are at risk [4].

The growing threat landscape is compounded by large-scale data breaches, with over 80 million crypto users exposed in 2025 [6]. Analysts warn that traditional online security measures are no longer sufficient to protect against these evolving tactics, which combine cybercrime with physical intimidation [7]. As a result, law enforcement and crypto exchanges are expected to enhance protective measures to safeguard individual holdings [3].

The convergence of digital and physical threats poses a unique challenge for cryptocurrency holders. As the sector continues to expand, users must now balance their online security with real-world safety strategies to mitigate the rising risks [7].

[1] Cointelegraph, "At least 1 Bitcoiner gets kidnapped every week — Crypto ...", https://cointelegraph.com/news/1-bitcoiner-kidnapped-every-week-cyrpto-exec

[2] Mitrade, "Bitcoin exec warns violent wrench attacks on crypto ...", https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1027308-20250811

[3] Crypto, "The rise of real-world cyber threats: When digital becomes ...", https://cryptonews.net/news/other/31409494/

[4] AInvest, "Bitcoin News Today: Physical and Cyber Threats to Crypto ...", https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-physical-cyber-threats-crypto-holders-surge-80-bitcoin-bull-run-2508/

[5] AInvest, "Bitcoin News Today: Paris Man Robbed of €2 Million in ...", https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-paris-man-robbed-2-million-bitcoin-violent-kidnapping-2508/

[6] FXLeaders, "Over 80 Million Crypto Users Exposed Amid Rising Wrench ...", https://www.fxleaders.com/news/2025/08/11/over-80-million-crypto-users-exposed-amid-rising-wrench-attacks-in-2025/

[7] FXStreet, "One kidnapping a week: Crypto holders face rising threats", https://www.fxstreet.com/cryptocurrencies/news/one-kidnapping-a-week-crypto-holders-face-rising-threats-202508111119