Physical attacks on cryptocurrency holders are reportedly rising as criminals link visible crypto wallets to real-world owners.
Physical attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders are rising, with Tom’s Hardware reporting a 75% increase in 2025 and 72 confirmed incidents tied to about $41 million in losses.
The reported cases include kidnappings and assaults, and the actual number may be higher than the confirmed total. The trend matters because cryptocurrency wealth can be visible in ways traditional bank balances are not: large wallets may be traced back to people, making some holders identifiable to criminals.
Large cryptocurrency holders appear to be a particular focus. The report says criminals are increasingly targeting people after connecting major wallets to their owners, turning a digital asset exposure into a physical safety risk.
That shift is already changing behavior. Some crypto firms and individuals are investing in physical security, including bodyguards and protective details described as comparable to those used by senior executives at major banks.
The available source material does not identify where the incidents are concentrated or provide a breakdown by attack type. It also does not specify how the confirmed cases were counted. For investors and crypto companies, the immediate takeaway is that personal safety has become part of the risk profile for prominent crypto ownership, alongside cybersecurity and market volatility.
Further reporting is needed to establish how often wallet tracing directly precedes attacks, which jurisdictions are seeing the most incidents and whether law enforcement agencies are tracking the same pattern.
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