'Wrench Attack' Scarier Than Hacking...Cryptocurrency Investors Suffer $30 Million Loss in First Half

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Physical violent crimes that neutralize hacking defenses have targeted cryptocurrency investors, resulting in over $30 million in damages in the first half of this year alone. There is a warning that if the current trend continues, the damage could exceed last year's record of $58 million, becoming the worst ever.

Bitcoin.com reported on August 6 (local time), citing a report from blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, that the damage from 'wrench attacks' targeting cryptocurrency holders worldwide exceeded $30 million in the first half of 2026. A wrench attack refers to crimes that steal cryptocurrencies through physical threats such as home invasion, kidnapping, and hostage-taking, rather than hacking or phishing. The name originates from an internet joke that even strong passwords can be rendered useless in the face of a cheap wrench and threats.

France has emerged as the largest hotspot for wrench attacks. According to Chainalysis, the number of publicly reported incidents in France increased from 19 cases last year to 30 cases in the first half of this year. Laurent Nunez, the French Interior Minister, stated that authorities have confirmed over 70 violent incidents related to cryptocurrency. In France, attacks, which averaged less than 1 per month before 2025, surged to 1.9 cases last year and 4.6 cases in the first half of this year.

The spread of crime was fueled by personal information leaks. An employee of the French tax authorities is suspected of stealing and selling data containing the names, addresses, phone numbers, and account holdings of wealthy cryptocurrency holders. It is suggested that criminal organizations may have purchased this data to select their targets. In January, approximately 50,000 user information records were additionally leaked from Waltio, a cryptocurrency tax service company.

Although attacks have increased, the success rate of crimes has decreased. The proportion of violent seizure attempts that resulted in actual financial loss fell from 67% in 2024 to 49% in 2025, and to 26% by the end of June this year. Chainalysis analyzed that crimes occurring in France are “more numerous, more indiscriminate, and less successful” than in the past. Among global attacks, the proportion of kidnappings increased from 39% in 2023 to 52% this year, and home invasions also rose from 26% to 37%. In France, more than 40% of cases targeted family members and acquaintances rather than the cryptocurrency holders themselves.

JUNALCO, France's specialized unit for organized crime, investigated cryptocurrency-related violent incidents, arresting approximately 200 people, indicting 88, and detaining 75 suspects. 93% of identified French victims whose residences were confirmed were local residents, indicating the possibility of premeditated crimes using leaked information, social media, and blockchain transaction tracing. Chainalysis emphasized that individuals should not disclose large holdings, keep asset storage methods private, and view personal information leaks not merely as privacy infringements but as threats to personal safety.

[Key Article Summary]

-The damage from wrench attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders exceeded $30 million in the first half of 2026 alone.

-Publicly reported incidents in France increased from 19 last year to 30 in the first half of this year, with personal information leaks identified as a background for the crime's spread.

-JUNALCO arrested approximately 200 people and indicted 88 in connection with these incidents.

*Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only, and we are not responsible for any investment losses based on it. The content should be interpreted for informational purposes only.*