Crypto kidnappings, or "wrench attacks," have surged globally, with 67 incidents reported across 44 countries since 2013.

Crypto kidnappings, targeting individuals with significant cryptocurrency holdings, have surged globally since 2013, with 67 incidents reported across 44 countries. The crimes, known as "wrench attacks," involve real-world violence like home invasions and extortion to acquire digital assets. The term stems from a comic suggesting physical coercion for cryptocurrency theft. With 17 cases in 2024 and a matching number in 2025, the rise correlates with the value of cryptocurrencies.