Mexico quadruple homicide tied to alleged Bitcoin robbery attempt — SkimNews
Get the Finance newsletter
Daily finance — markets, central banks, M&A, the prints that move money. Free.
- Wrench attacks on crypto holders increased 75% in 2025 to 72 verified cases worldwide, according to blockchain security firm CertiK
- France recorded the most wrench attacks last year with 19 confirmed incidents, while Europe accounted for about 40% of all attacks globally in 2025
- Chainalysis estimates criminals stole over $30 million in crypto through wrench attacks in the first half of 2026
- In October 2025, attackers kidnapped and killed convicted Russian crypto fraudster Roman Novak and his wife after demanding access to their crypto wallets, per Russian outlet Fontanka
Why it matters: France logged 19 of 72 global wrench attacks in 2025, and Europe accounted for 40% — meaning holders in those regions face disproportionate risk of physical coercion. Chainalysis tracked $30 million stolen via wrench attacks in H1 2026 alone, confirming the upward trajectory CertiK documented for 2025.
Ask SkimNews
