Bitcoin Investor Kidnappings Surge Globally in 2025

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At least one Bitcoin investor is kidnapped every week worldwide, according to a stark warning from Alena Vranova, founder of SatoshiLabs, delivered at the Baltic Honeybadger 2025 conference in Riga, Latvia. Speaking to attendees, Vranova said the growing trend of “wrench attacks”  crimes involving physical coercion to force victims to hand over cryptocurrency  is targeting not only high-net-worth holders but also those with relatively modest digital asset balances.

Vranova cited incidents where victims were kidnapped over holdings as low as $6,000, with murders reported in cases involving amounts of around $50,000. She attributed the rise in such attacks to large-scale breaches of centralized platforms, which have exposed more than 80 million crypto user identities, including 2.2 million home addresses, making it easier for criminals to locate and target investors.

The problem is not confined to one region. In May 2025, U.S. authorities in New York charged two cryptocurrency investors in connection with the kidnapping and torture of a man in Manhattan, allegedly to obtain access to his Bitcoin wallet. In France, high-profile executives and their families have also been targeted. Ledger co-founder Éric Larchevêque was injured in a violent home invasion, and in a separate case, an attempted abduction resulted in the partial amputation of a victim’s finger.

Security experts warn that the rise in Bitcoin’s value over the past year has intensified criminal interest. “Bull markets create a perception of easy wealth, and that makes anyone in crypto a potential target,” Vranova said. She urged investors to implement robust personal security measures, including avoiding public disclosure of their holdings, diversifying storage methods, and using pseudonymous accounts where possible.

Industry analysts also point to the role of dark-web marketplaces, where stolen personal information is traded. Address leaks allow criminals to plan attacks with precision, while social media oversharing provides additional intelligence. In some cases, attackers have been reported to stake out victims for days before making a move.

Law enforcement agencies across several countries are adapting their strategies, with increased cross-border cooperation and specialized cyber-crime units focusing on cryptocurrency-related offences. However, experts warn that policing remains reactive, with prevention heavily dependent on individual caution and security awareness.

The scale and frequency of these incidents have prompted calls for greater industry-wide action. Exchanges and wallet providers are being urged to strengthen data protection systems, while educational campaigns aim to teach investors about the real-world dangers of crypto ownership.