Home break-ins became the primary type of wrench attacks in 2024 — CertiK report
Analysts at CertiK have presented alarming statistics for the first half of 2024: 52 cases of so-called wrench attacks have been recorded — physical assaults aimed at forcing cryptocurrency asset owners to transfer funds. This is a 33% increase compared to the same period last year.
A particularly concerning trend is the sharp rise in home invasions. While only one such incident was registered in the first half of 2023, the number skyrocketed to 20 in 2024. Thus, home burglaries now account for nearly 40% of all wrench attacks, overtaking street robberies and assaults in public places.
The total amount of damage associated with these incidents has reached $124.1 million. Meanwhile, the highest number of attacks — 33 cases — occurred in France. This indicates that criminal groups are actively migrating to regions with less stringent security measures in the field of cyber-physical protection for crypto investors.
Analytical commentary: The sharp increase in home invasions is not just a statistical anomaly but a signal of a shift in attackers' tactics. They have realized that physical access to a victim's device (e.g., a hardware wallet) is often easier and more reliable than hacking remote servers. Investors, especially those holding large sums, should reconsider their physical security protocols — from using time-delay safes to completely avoiding the storage of seed phrases at home. While the market focuses on digital threats, the real world is becoming increasingly dangerous for cryptocurrency holders.