Bitcoin (BTC) and Crypto Holders Are Being Physically Attacked By Robbers

According to the archive maintained by security expert Jameson Lopp, co-founder and chief security officer of CASA, over 200 known physical attacks

Counter terrorism officers march near the scene of last night's London Bridge terrorist attack, June 4, 2017 in London, England. Police continue to cordon off an area after responding to terrorist attacks on London Bridge and Borough Market where 6 people were killed and at least 48 injured last night. Three attackers were shot dead by armed police. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

According to the archive maintained by security expert Jameson Lopp, co-founder and chief security officer of CASA, over 200 known physical attacks against bitcoin and crypto holders have been reported since 2014. In 2023 alone, 11 criminal incidents targeted holders, including Ledger's Chief Executive Officer, David Balland, as reported by Coindesk January 24.

With bitcoin and crypto prices experiencing a strong bullish run in recent months, followed by market corrections, criminal interest in physically targeting crypto holders has significantly increased. Most of the reported crimes took place in Asia and Europe, with Thailand, Korea, and France being the most affected regions.

The most recent of these incidents saw officers from Jeju Western Police arrest four individuals in connection with the murder of a Chinese man who "went to buy virtual currency," as reported by Decrypt. The incident occurred on February 25 in Korea. This case highlights the ongoing risks associated with physical attacks against bitcoin holders.

"There's a rough correlation between the number of wrench attacks and the price of Bitcoin," Lopp explained to me in an interview. "As adoption increases, mainstream awareness increases, and as such, the number of criminally minded people who are aware of it increases. We're currently in the discovery phase where criminals are trying to determine the risks and rewards of targeting crypto asset holders for robberies," he described.

Number Go Up, So Do Physical Attacks Against Bitcoin Holders

Since 2021, these attacks have remained consistently above 20 incidents per year, with more than half of that threshold already recorded in 2023. The current spike aligns with moments when bitcoin and crypto gained mainstream attention, and it coincides with BTC surpassing the critical $100,000 mark.

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It's worth noting that Lopp's archive only includes documented incidents of physical attacks against bitcoin holders. The actual number may be much higher as many cases go unreported. Given the privacy-oriented nature of cryptocurrencies, victims are less likely to come forward and disclose such events.

"What people need to realize is that law enforcement is not in the business of protecting individuals from attacks – they only come into play after an attack has occurred. If you wish to have proactive protection measures in place, you'll have to implement them yourself," Lopp argued.

Technology To Mitigate Physical Attacks Against Bitcoin Investors

Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies represent immaterial wealth, rendering its transmission susceptible to targeted attacks. However, adopting security practices can mitigate risks. A single point of failure can be prevented by using multi-signature wallets, multi-party computing, and time locks to leverage Bitcoin technology for enhanced security.

"Are you – or whoever owns the assets – a potential single point of failure? Do you have the ability to quickly and unilaterally transfer large amounts of your assets? If so, your assets are vulnerable to wrench attacks," Lopp detailed.

Criminals targeting bitcoin holders prefer swift execution, aiming for minimal fuss. Prolonged hostage situations increase the chances of being tracked or facing escalated risks.

"Wrench attacks want to get in and out as quickly as possible; requiring them to hold you hostage for a lengthy period of time and transport you without raising suspicion will be quite unpalatable," Lopp explained.

For Lopp, mitigating physical attacks against bitcoin investors and holders involves both technological solutions and common-sense privacy practices. He advises: "Be anonymous if you post online about crypto. Don't talk about your assets to people in meatspace. Don't do high-value face-to-face trades. Don't flaunt wealth. Don't give your real name and address to crypto services."