In 2025, cryptocrimes took a violent turn.
Physical attacks aimed at stealing cryptocurrency, known as “spanner attacks,” increased 75% from the previous year, with 72 confirmed incidents worldwide, according to a new report from CertiK.
The report marks last year as a turning point, where physical violence became a central threat for cryptocurrency holders.
Spanner attacks in this context describe scenarios in which victims are forced, often through the use of violence, to hand over private keys. The report documented a 250% increase in physical attacks, including home invasions, kidnappings and even murders.
Europe now accounts for more than 40% of all such incidents globally, up from 22% in 2024, according to the report. France led the list with 19 reported attacks, more than double the number in the United States. CertiK attributes this increase to organized crime groups increasingly targeting well-known cryptocurrency holders in France, Spain and Sweden.
In some cases, criminals forced their way into victims’ homes. In others, they targeted spouses, children or elderly parents to force them to cooperate. The data also includes so-called “honey pot” schemes, in which attackers construct fake romantic relationships to organize attacks.
Behind the violence are apparently improvements in digital security, which increase the costs of piracy. Still, threatening someone with a gun still works. The report calls this the “technical paradox”: stronger technology, but the same fragile human layer.
With more than $40 million in confirmed losses, and likely many more unreported, CertiK warned that personal security is now part of the crypto risk equation.
The cryptocurrency space has been working on solutions, including insurance policies. Some well-known companies, including insurance giant Lloyd’s of London, have begun offering their customers coverage that includes wrench attacks.
