Violent Crypto Heists Surge: Six Shocking Attacks Leave Investors Reeling
Rising Threats Turn Crypto Wealth Into Personal Risk
As cryptocurrency adoption grows, so do the threats faced by its wealthiest holders. In a troubling wave of violence, at least six brutal attacks have targeted crypto investors in 2025 alone, many leaving victims traumatized, injured—or worse. These aren’t digital scams or online phishing attempts. These are real-world kidnappings, mutilations, and ransom plots involving millions of dollars in crypto.
$5 Wrench Attacks Are No Longer Rare
According to Jameson Lopp’s GitHub repository, which tracks these events, 22 physical “$5 wrench” attacks on crypto holders have occurred this year. These attacks refer to criminals using violence—rather than code—to compel victims into handing over digital assets.
French authorities are now sounding the alarm. The Ministry of the Interior recently convened a security meeting after one especially disturbing incident involving a Ledger executive and his wife.
Six Alarming Crypto Attacks in 2025
Ledger Founder Kidnapped and Mutilated
On January 21, David Balland, founder of crypto wallet Ledger, and his wife Amandine were kidnapped at gunpoint, separated, and held in undisclosed locations. Balland’s hand was mutilated to pressure Ledger into paying a crypto ransom. 230 police officers participated in the rescue mission. A portion of the ransom was paid, tracked, and frozen—leading to 10 arrests.
Korean Trader’s Lamborghini Sale Turns Into Abduction
On January 20, Korean trader Taehwa Kim was lured into a fake car sale in the Philippines. After a test drive, he was abducted by a gang, held for three days, and left tied up 50 kilometers away. Though the attackers failed to steal his crypto, they escaped with his Lamborghini, Rolex, wallet, and house keys.
Streamer Amouranth Shoots Armed Intruders
In March 2025, streamer and cosplayer Kaitlyn “Amouranth” Siragusa, who previously revealed she held $20 million in Bitcoin and $80,000 in Ether, was the victim of a violent home invasion. She claimed to have been pulled from bed at gunpoint and opened fire on her assailants, possibly wounding one. The attackers fled, leaving DNA evidence behind.
En plein Paris, un homme a été violenté par des individus cagoulés, habillés tout en noir. Ils tentaient de l’enlever. Un homme a surgi, extincteur à la main, pour les faire fuir. →https://t.co/P0qV6PR40v pic.twitter.com/9f4r2Gi7ho
— Le Figaro (@Le_Figaro) May 13, 2025
Spanish Businessman Abducted, $50M Crypto Ransom Demanded
On March 29, a Spanish businessman in São Paulo was kidnapped by men in fake police uniforms. The attackers drugged him and demanded $50 million in cryptocurrency. He eventually escaped and contacted police, leading to the arrest of a suspect, and the recovery of a gun and ammunition.
Crypto Exchange CEO’s Family Targeted
On May 13, three masked men attempted to kidnap the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of French exchange Paymium. In a dramatic turn, his daughter disarmed an attacker, and bystanders intervened, forcing the assailants to flee. The victims were hospitalized, and a special police unit is now investigating.
French Entrepreneur’s Father Mutilated in Kidnap Plot
On May 4, kidnappers abducted the father of a crypto entrepreneur in Paris, took him 35 miles away, and cut off his finger. They sent a video demanding €5 million in crypto. The police rescued him after two days, arresting five suspects. Authorities suspect this may be the same group behind the Ledger founder’s abduction due to the strikingly similar methods.
Crypto Security No Longer Just Digital
Ben Davis, CEO of blockchain insurer Native, emphasized the shift:
“We used to see crypto wrench attacks predominantly when executives were abroad. Now attackers are targeting people in their own homes, with precision and premeditation.”
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau met with crypto industry professionals on May 16 to confront the rising physical threats.
As these incidents prove, crypto crime is no longer confined to cyberspace. The battleground has moved offline, and the stakes are life and death.
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