Physical "wrench attacks" targeting offline Bitcoin holders rose 33% year-over-year to 52 incidents in H1 2026, per CertiK data.
Macro & Markets ·
Blockchain security firm CertiK documented 52 physical "wrench attacks" targeting cryptocurrency holders worldwide during the first half of 2026, representing a 33% increase from the same period in 2025, according to reporting on the trend. Wrench attacks are physical assaults or coercion tactics used to force victims into surrendering access to offline cryptocurrency holdings or private keys.
The uptick reflects growing incentives for attackers to target individuals holding Bitcoin and other assets in cold storage, which are typically viewed as secure from remote compromise. As offline storage gains adoption among security-conscious investors, it simultaneously creates a new attack surface for criminals employing in-person methods to extract funds.
The full scope of such incidents remains unclear, as not all cases are formally reported or tracked. The underlying drivers behind the year-over-year increase—whether driven by higher Bitcoin valuations, improved attacker coordination, or better incident documentation—have not been detailed in available reporting.