Alena Vranova, founder of SatoshiLabs, has raised alarms over the increasing frequency of wrench attacks and kidnappings targeting Bitcoin holders worldwide.
Speaking at the Baltic Honeybadger 2025 conference in Riga, Latvia, Vranova highlighted that physical assaults and abductions aimed at stealing private keys have become a weekly occurrence.
She emphasized that not only high-profile Bitcoin investors are at risk, but even those with modest holdings could be targeted by violent criminals.
Vranova stated:
“What seems to be a problem only for Bitcoin OGs is not really the case. We have seen cases of kidnappings for as little as $6,000 worth of crypto, and we have seen people murdered for $50,000 in crypto.”
Data leaks increase risk
Vranova connected the surge in attacks to data breaches from centralized bitcoin exchanges and other platforms that store sensitive user information for know-your-customer (KYC) compliance.
She revealed that over 80 million Bitcoin and digital asset user identities have been leaked online, including 2.2 million records containing home addresses.
Correlation with bitcoin price
According to Vranova, attacks against Bitcoin holders tend to rise during bull markets, suggesting a link between higher bitcoin prices and increased criminal targeting.
Recent incidents include a May breach at Coinbase that exposed customer addresses and a June report revealing billions of leaked login credentials from tech giants such as Apple and Google.
Personal security urged for all bitcoiners
The rise in these attacks underscores the need for personal safety measures within the Bitcoin community.
As violent crime escalates, even small holders are urged to remain vigilant.
