Europe has emerged as the world’s most dangerous region for cryptocurrency holders, according to new data from CertiK, as violent physical attacks linked to crypto ownership surged to record levels in 2025.
As per, the blockchain security auditor’s 2025 Wrench Attacks Report shared with Finbold, there were 72 verified physical assaults and kidnappings recorded targeting crypto holders last year, a 75% year-over-year increase, with Europe accounting for more than 40% of all incidents, up from just 22% in 2024.
What’s more, the data also shows the attacks had become not only more frequent but also more violent. For example, while kidnappings rose by 66%, physical assaults surged 250%.
As noted, the most striking statistics are those pertaining to Europe, which accounted for more than 40% of all incidents in 2025, up from just 22% the year before.
France was the most affected country, not only on the continent but globally. The Western European nation reported 19 attacks, overtaking the United States, which logged only eight incidents.
CertiK attributed this spike to the growing presence of organized crypto-jacking groups in countries such as France, Spain, and Sweden. By contrast, North America’s share of global attacks fell to 12.5%, down from 36.6% in 2024. However, the report states that this statistic does not necessarily imply improved safety in North America. Rather, it means that violent activity has expanded more rapidly in other regions.
Asia also remained a high-risk zone, accounting for roughly one-third of global incidents, with the highest level of threats concentrated on crypto tourists and expatriates in hubs such as Thailand and Hong Kong.
Financial losses linked to wrench attacks exceeded $40.9 million in 2025. However, the analysis suggests the figure is likely underestimated due to issues such as under-reporting, untraceable ransoms, and reluctance to call the police.
A key takeaway is that technical security alone is no longer enough. That is, as wallets and crypto exchanges become harder to crack digitally, attackers are targeting individuals in real life instead.
“With 72 major verified incidents, the industry faces a true humanitarian crisis. As we enter 2026, the era of exclusive reliance on seed phrases is over. More than ever, humans remain the single point of failure,” the 2025 Wrench Attacks Report reads.
One of the more shocking incidents involved David Balland, co-founder of hardware wallet maker Ledger, and his wife in France. On January 1, 2025, the couple was abducted from their home in Méreau, with the perpetrators demanding a €10 million ransom in cryptocurrency and escalating the pressure by maiming Balland.
As such, the findings show that there is a growing need for personal security awareness among crypto holders, particularly whales, as the risk associated with digital currencies now extends way beyond the screen and into the real world.
