The report of approximately 60 "wrench attack" incidents throughout 2025 is a record high, and the actual number may be far higher.

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2025 saw a record high of about 60 reported 'wrench attacks' on crypto holders, surpassing previous years. The actual number may be much higher due to underreporting and misclassification of such crimes.

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wrench attackscryptocurrency securitycybersecurity risksphysical coercioncrime reporting

[2025 Reports of Approximately 60 "Wrench Attacks," a Record High; Actual Number May Be Far Higher] According to Mars Finance, Ari Redbord, Head of Global Policy and Government Affairs at crypto analytics firm TRM Labs, stated, "2025 was a record year for wrench attacks," with approximately 60 reported attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders. This number far exceeds the second-highest known number of wrench attacks in 2024 (approximately 41) and 2021 (36). While the exact number of wrench attacks is difficult to quantify, the risk to victims is indeed increasing, or at least public awareness of this threat is rising. “The real number is likely much higher,” Redbord added. “Many cases are simply registered as ordinary robberies or burglaries, ignoring the crypto asset element; others are never reported because victims hesitate or have doubts about law enforcement’s ability to handle crypto-related crimes.” Cybersecurity risks like “wrench attacks” are named after the idea that even the most sophisticated encryption and data security measures can be compromised by physical coercion—as in the scenario of being threatened with a “five-dollar wrench.”

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