Wrench attacks, physical assaults aimed at forcing cryptocurrency holders to surrender their assets, have surged in 2025 and 2026. According to CertiK, 72 incidents were recorded worldwide in 2025, a 75% increase, with over $40.9 million stolen; France alone accounts for 33 out of 52 attacks in the first half of 2026. The French national organized crime prosecution office (Pnaco) has recorded 135 kidnappings or sequestrations linked to cryptocurrencies since 2023, resulting in 88 indictments. Protection solutions include digital hygiene, the use of decoy wallets, multisignature schemes, and geographic separation of recovery phrases. The Kronobi service additionally offers professional protection featuring silent alerts, real-time location tracking, and automatic address monitoring.
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