Europe is the epicenter of crypto wrench attacks this year, logging 82% of all global incidents and $101 million in losses — double the 2025 total, according to new data. The spike marks a worrying escalation in physical crypto thefts, where victims are forced at gunpoint or under threat to transfer digital assets.
The $101 million toll
The losses are not spread evenly. European victims lost $101 million in 2026, up sharply from roughly $50 million the year before. That means the average incident cost more than $120,000 — though the data doesn't break out individual cases. The jump suggests attackers are getting bolder or more effective, or both.
Why Europe dominates
No single country is named in the figures, but the continental concentration is stark. With four out of every five wrench attacks happening in Europe, the region has become the clear hotspot. It's not clear from the data alone whether this reflects better reporting, denser crypto wealth, or weaker physical security measures relative to other regions. What is clear: the trend accelerated in 2026.
What the surge means
The doubling of losses is the most dramatic one-year increase on record. For crypto holders, the numbers are a blunt reminder that digital security doesn't end with cold wallets and seed phrases. If someone knows you hold crypto, they can target you in person. Law enforcement agencies across Europe have stepped up patrols in response, but the data shows the problem is getting worse, not better.
The open question
Whether European police can reverse the trend before 2027 remains to be seen. The $101 million figure is already a record, and the year isn't over yet.
