Wrench Attacks Bypass Encryption by Forcing Victims to Unlock Crypto Wallets

The report documents a rising trend of "wrench attacks" in which criminals use physical coercion—kidnapping, threats, home invasions—to force cryptocurrency owners to unlock wallets or approve transfers, citing multiple incidents across France, the US, the UK and Canada; it stresses that public exposure of holdings increases risk and recommends discretion, multi-signature setups, and stronger physical security and law enforcement coordination.