Blockchain security firm CertiK reports a 41% increase in physical crypto thefts, known as 'wrench attacks,' in early 2026. The firm documented 34 verified incidents between January and April, resulting in over $101 million in losses.
The escalation signals a dangerous shift in crypto crime. The term, coined from a satirical 2009 comic, refers to physical coercion-kidnapping, home invasion, or threats of violence-to force a victim to transfer assets. The report highlights the suspected abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie, as a potential 'wrench attack by proxy,' where a ransom of $6 million in Bitcoin was demanded.
Lisa J. Miller, a former law enforcement executive, notes criminals increasingly use open-source intelligence and social media to identify targets and their vulnerabilities. 'Many of us put at least some of our lives out there for everyone to see,' Miller stated.
CertiK’s data reveals these attacks are often organized, transnational operations. The trend reframes privacy as a physical safety requirement rather than a philosophical preference, as traditional security measures like hardware wallets provide no defense against direct, physical threats to an individual or their family.