CertiK Analysis: Home Invasions Have Become the Dominant Type of Wrench Attack in the Crypto Industry
In the first half of this year, my data analysis shows a worrying trend: the number of so-called wrench attacks (physical assaults aimed at coercing owners into transferring crypto assets) has sharply increased. A total of 52 such incidents were recorded, which is 33% higher than the figures for the same period last year. However, the most significant change has been a shift in the focus of criminals' methods.
Previously, wrench attacks most often occurred in public places or as a result of organized robberies. Now, the main vector has become home invasions. The number of such cases has risen from one to twenty — a twentyfold increase. Criminals deliberately track victims, knowing that homes often store not only physical assets but also access to cold wallets or seed phrases. The total damage from all these incidents is estimated at $124.1 million.
Geographically, the most affected country was France, which accounted for 33 attacks. This is no coincidence: the region has a high concentration of the crypto community and active use of decentralized financial instruments, making local investors attractive targets. Criminals are likely studying public blockchain data to identify large asset holders.
My expert assessment: The rise in home invasions is a signal that the security of crypto assets extends beyond the digital space. Investors need to reconsider physical protection protocols: store seed phrases in bank safe deposit boxes, use multi-signature wallets, and avoid publicly disclosing their cryptocurrency positions. Without this, even the most reliable smart contracts will not protect against threats from the real world.