Most Influential: The Wrench Attackers

The article highlights the alarming rise of physical "wrench attacks" in 2025, where perpetrators use violence and intimidation to steal cryptocurrency from holders globally. These attacks, which have seen a reported 169% increase this year according to tracking by crypto figure Jameson Lopp (who has documented over 260 cases since 2014), involve criminals using information gleaned from on-chain footprints, luxury purchases, or social media oversharing to locate victims at their homes, gyms, or hotels.

This trend has transformed physical security into a critical front-line issue for crypto investors, moving beyond traditional concerns like volatility and phishing. In response, experts like Lopp are campaigning for better physical operational security (OpSec), which may include hiring armed bodyguards for high-profile individuals. Furthermore, the industry is adapting, with major insurers like Lloyd's of London beginning to offer coverage for wrench attacks and kidnappings, while wallet developers integrate new security features like silent alerts or data-wiping codes.

(Source：CoinDesk)