Physically seizing Bitcoin from hardware wallets at victims homes has surged to become the leading cryptocurrency robbery method of 2026, according to a new security report.
CertiK found that home invasion attacks rose dramatically to 20 instances in H1 2026 versus just one verified attack during this period last year. This alarming spike represents over 95-percent growth and underscores a worrying trend where threat actors are increasingly targeting cryptocurrency holders directly rather than stealing private keys remotely.
France has emerged as the epicenter of physical Bitcoin thefts, with security researchers from CertiK verifying 33 out of all wrench attacks documented during this six-month period. The term “wrench attack” refers to direct access scenarios where threat actors force entry into victims residences and steal hardware wallets containing cryptocurrency holdings.
Industry experts express concern about whether physical home invasions targeting crypto will overshadow traditional bank robberies as a crime category in France, with some suggesting Bitcoin could soon be the primary asset of choice for armed robbery gangs. While other countries may experience similar trends following Frances lead, CertiK researchers have not yet detected comparable spikes elsewhere.
