Unlike money held in a conventional bank account, cryptocurrency is often controlled directly by the owner through digital wallets or physical storage devices.

For criminals, that combination of speed, anonymity and irreversibility can make crypto holders attractive targets.

Whilst the vast majority of cryptocurrency theft happens online through hacks and scams, crypto investigators at Chainalysis say “wrench attacks” have surged in recent years.

According to their research, $30m (£22.6m) had been stolen so far this year up to June in violent robberies, making 2026 likely to become the single-worst year for violent crypto attacks on record. Home invasions are also on the rise this year, it found.

The US, Brazil, and Thailand are hotspots…