Catenaa, Thursday, September 25, 2025-Physical attacks on cryptocurrency holders and executives have surged globally, rising 169% since February as Bitcoin’s rally makes investors prime criminal targets.
According to new data compiled by CASA co-founder Jameson Lopp, 48 crypto-related attacks have been reported so far in 2025, surpassing last year’s totals by 33 percent.
France has emerged as a hotspot, recording 14 incidents, while cases have been reported across Europe, North America, and North Africa.
The spike includes kidnappings, armed robberies, and forced transfers of funds.
One recent case in Cambridge, Canada, saw a man abducted at gunpoint and coerced into depositing a large sum into a crypto wallet. Authorities said he suffered minor injuries, but suspects remain at large.
Experts say rising Bitcoin valuations are a double-edged sword, drawing in criminals while improving defensive practices.
Lopp noted that security risks shift constantly, urging investors to adopt strong self-custody tools such as multisig wallets, seed protection, and geographically dispersed devices.
Security advisers warn users to avoid flaunting wealth, both online and in local communities. They recommend balancing self-custody with institutional custody options, including exchange-traded funds, which carry different but potentially lower personal security risks.
While regulators in the United States and Europe continue to expand oversight of digital assets, the wave of violent crimes highlights a parallel challenge: protecting investors in the physical world as cryptocurrencies gain mainstream adoption.
