Blockchain security company CertiK projects that 2026 will close with 130 crypto wrench attacks and hundreds of millions lost.
The latest developments come as physical violence against those with digital assets is on the rise.
Crypto Wrench Attack To Jump 41% In Early 2026
The company recorded 34 confirmed events in between January and April, a jump of 41% year-on-year. Damages totaled nearly $101 million in ransom payments, frozen funds, and failed claims.
“The breakdown of each month shows 13 events in January (vs. 9 in January 2025), 5 in February (vs. 6), 10 in March (vs. 7), and 5 in April (vs. 2). The entry for February shows a delay in major police operations that took place in Europe at the end of January, before the report was read.
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Europe carried out 28 of the 34 attacks, out of 39.5% total number of 2025. France alone had 24 cases in four months, more than the 20 recorded last year.
French Interior Ministry officials confirmed that 41 incidents of physical assault have taken place since January, roughly every 2.5 days. Meanwhile, all other regions fell, with North America dropping from 9th to 3rd and Asia from 25th to 2nd.
In the past, criminals had to be monitored to find out what they wanted. CertiK now reflects the growth of France thanks to the presence of several well-known companies, data privacy breachand the culture of revealing people’s wealth.
CertiK said that as the security of wallets and protocols improves, attackers are moving into this area the crypto community wealth.
“As long as crypto-assets are compatible with well-known financial data, physical pressure remains the best way to destroy wealth,” it added.
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A note Crypto Wrench Attacks May Reach Peak in 2026, CertiK Projects appeared for the first time BeInCrypto.
