With the increase in prices since last year, there has also been a rise in physical attacks targeting bitcoin and crypto investors. We reported on this trend in late February of this year, but the figures have deteriorated since then. There have been 35 of these violent incidents, indicating a concerning 169% increase in just six and a half months. The information is sourced from the archive curated by Jameson Lopp. The figures were already alarming last year, propelled by the bullish trend in BTC and digital assets. However, the situation has deteriorated further since the beginning of this year.
In 2025, there have been 48 physical attacks aimed at investors, traders, holders, and even executives. This signifies a 33% rise in comparison to incidents recorded in 2024. Fourteen of the incidents reported this year occurred in France. On September 6, a recent physical attack targeting a bitcoin or crypto investor took place in Cambridge, specifically at the intersection of Saginaw Parkway and Townline Road. Waterloo Regional Police stated that a young man was abducted during a robbery that Saturday. An investigation revealed that the victim was compelled to enter a dark-colored van by five unidentified individuals. He was compelled to transfer money into a cryptocurrency wallet prior to his release. “He was approached by multiple individuals in a van.” The individuals reportedly brandished a firearm and compelled him to enter the vehicle. “While inside, he was compelled to deposit a large amount of money into a cryptocurrency account,” police officer Chris Iden explained in an interview. The victim did sustain some injuries; however, none were severe. He received treatment at a hospital. “We are still investigating this matter.” The current descriptions are quite limited: four Black males, all dressed in dark clothing and wearing face masks. The vehicle was characterized as a van. “The information remains vague at this stage, so if anybody has any details or has witnessed a suspicious vehicle—specifically a van—please contact police,” officer Iden detailed.
I engaged in a conversation with Lopp to gain deeper insights into the evolving security landscape that digital asset investors are encountering. “The security landscape is constantly changing; it is just an aspect of the ecosystem that any prudent investor should stay on top of since this asset class is highly unforgiving of mistakes,” Lopp told in an interview. As Bitcoin undergoes this transformation into a more serious asset, coupled with the alarming criminal statistics we are observing, one must consider: is Bitcoin becoming too risky for investors? “Bitcoin is riskier in some ways and less risky in other ways,” Lopp stated. “For example, if you simply seek price exposure, then the ETFs serve as a relatively secure means to achieve that.” “You trade off things like social engineering risk and poor key management risk for the risk that the custodian may fall victim to such attacks or losses,” the developer argued. According to Lopp, investing in bitcoin may be considered riskier due to the fact that “it is more valuable,” which leads to an increase in the number of felons seeking “to take it away from you.” However, it is important to note that bitcoin is an asset with more than 15 years of history and development, during which security has been enhanced. “We have also greatly improved our security best practices over the years to counteract the savvier attackers,” stated CASA’s CSO.
“The riskiest thing someone can do is to jump into bitcoin before they are sufficiently educated about the risks,” Lopp concluded. Emerging from a challenging economic landscape marked by significant issues of personal security, I am poised to share some of the most effective practices I have acquired. Even when I do not possess significant quantities of BTC, this will prove beneficial. First of all, avoid being labeled as “the Bitcoin guy.” The era of evangelists has come to a close. Perhaps in 2016 or earlier, it was acceptable to echo the Bitcoin narrative among your family and friends. However, at that time, BTC held a value that was 100 times lower. At this moment, being recognized primarily for possessing bitcoin may render you a target. If you find yourself in that role due to your profession, exercise discretion and embrace the Bitcoin persona only when it is appropriate and required. Therefore, refrain from sharing your BTC holdings on social media. It may seem evident, as one wouldn’t share their bank account statements, yet prominent figures such as adult content creator Amouranth illustrate the importance of maintaining your BTC as a personal asset without ostentation. In March of this year, she experienced a violent home invasion in Houston, where the attackers demanded bitcoin. There is no need for boasting. Bitcoin is a form of digital property, and unless you declare ownership, it remains unknown to others.
If your amount of BTC is substantial and you favor self-custody, consider enhancing your setup. It is essential to secure the seeds that provide access to your bitcoin, and you can enhance this security by incorporating a passphrase. Ensure that the information is stored securely. Envision a scenario where your bitcoin holds the potential to increase in value tenfold, and adjust your actions accordingly. To enhance security while ensuring custody, various options are available. Multisigs can be utilized with signing devices that are located in different geographical areas. Multisig wallets necessitate multiple keys to approve a transaction, and employing devices situated in various locations enhances security significantly. Dedicated hardware can also be utilized, ensuring it is securely formatted and stored, making it difficult to access. However, it is important to ensure that the setup is not so complicated that you are unable to access it on your own. Exercise caution while being strategic in the setup of these matters.
Delegated custody via custodians or exchanges, along with bitcoin exposure through ETFs and similar products, represent additional avenues. However, in that scenario, you overlook one of BTC’s essential characteristics: the capability to store and manage it independently. As Bitcoin gains recognition and is increasingly discussed, and as it rises in significance on a global scale, the likelihood of physical attacks may rise. However, this should not deter you from utilizing or investing in it. It is essential to exercise proactive caution, and these recommendations could assist you in averting such incidents.