Wrench attack
Plain definition. A wrench attack is a physical attack where someone uses violence, or threatens it, to force a cryptocurrency holder to hand over their assets.
Technical definition. Chainalysis, in its 2026 report on violent crypto attacks, defines a wrench attack as a physical attack using violence or the threat of violence to make a cryptocurrency holder give up their assets, for instance by coercing them to unlock a wallet or transfer funds under duress. The name comes from a well-known security idea: however strong the encryption, an attacker can bypass it by threatening the victim with a “$5 wrench.” In practice, these attacks include home invasions, kidnappings and hostage situations.
On this site
On this site, Wrench attack comes up in Are people really being attacked physically for crypto? and How do I limit the personal data that links me to my crypto holdings?.
Source
Violent Wrench Attacks Targeting Crypto Holders - Chainalysis (chainalysis.com), read October 1, 2026.