Cryptocurrency “wrench attacks” have cost victims around the world $124 million U.S. in losses over the past six months, according to blockchain security firm CertiK.

Wrench attacks are violent, real-world attacks on people who own cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (CRYPTO: $BTC) and they are escalating quickly, according to CertiK. 

The firm verified 52 incidents in which criminals used violence or threats of force to get people to hand over their crypto in the first half of 2026.

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That’s up by one-third from 39 wrench attacks seen in the first six months of 2025. 

In all, the wrench attacks in the first half of this year cost victims $124.1 million U.S. in losses, up from $10.5 million U.S….