Physical attacks on Bitcoin holders surged 169% this semester

Violent attacks on bitcoin and cryptocurrency investors have surged 169% in the past six and a half months, with 35 new attacks since February, according to Casa CTO Jameson Lopp. In 2025 alone, there were 48 personal attacks on holders and executives, up 33% from 2024. In a recent kidnapping in Cambridge, a victim was pointed at a gun and transferred cryptocurrency. Lopp recommends being cautious, avoiding exposure to holdings on social media and using multiple signatures or hardware wallets to keep them safe. Despite the rising risks, he stressed that education and positive measures are more important than discouraging investment.