I was reading some rather alarming statistics about crypto-related crime lately. It seems that physical attacks — those with wrenches and similar tools — have increased by 75% over the course of 2026. It’s a trend that goes far beyond what many expected when thinking about the risks in the industry.

The phenomenon is interesting because it shifts the focus from what we usually associate with crypto crime — hacks, online scams, smart contract exploits — to something much more tangible and violent. It’s no longer just a cybersecurity issue. When you start seeing physical assaults to steal wallets or access funds, it means the problem has reached a completely different level.

CoinDesk has investigated this issue with the rigor that characterizes their work in the industry. They have a long history of independent journalism when it comes to covering what happens in the crypto world, and this time they’ve compiled data that goes beyond the surface.

What strikes me is that this kind of violence is not random — it’s organized, targeted, and clearly profitable for those committing it. It means that crime in the crypto sector is evolving, becoming more sophisticated and dangerous. It’s no longer just a matter for the tech-savvy, but something that affects the physical safety of those operating in the industry.

If you follow the crypto market, this is one of the trends that really deserves monitoring. Not so much for sensationalism, but because it says something important about how the security landscape in our industry is changing.