Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-01382
Physical coercion — hardware wallet (2025)
ConstrainedCase description
A 2025 analysis by Chainalysis found a statistically significant correlation between Bitcoin price movements and the frequency of physical wrench attacks, suggesting that rising prices directly drove opportunistic targeting of known crypto holders. The mid-year report noted that 2025 was on track to have potentially twice as many physical attacks as the prior record year. Analysts observed that attacks were no longer limited to high-net-worth crypto executives: victims included teachers, construction workers, and individuals with modest holdings, targeted because their crypto ownership was publicly visible through social media posts, wallet address disclosures, or exchange-related data leaks.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Physical coercion |
| Custody system | Hardware wallet (single key) |
| Outcome | Constrained |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2025 |
| Country | International |
Structural dependencies observed
What this illustrates
Access required in-person verification that couldn't be arranged under the circumstances. Whether full access was ultimately possible is unclear, but significant delay or outside intervention was involved.
Outcome interpretation
Access remained possible, but only with delay, dependence, or significant difficulty.
Source
Publicly Reported
Evidence type
News article
Related cases involving physical coercion
105 cases involve physical coercion
274 cases involve hardware wallet (single key)
View archive statistics →
This archive documents observed custody survivability failures. It does not attempt to document all Bitcoin losses or security incidents.
Submit a case
← All cases
Framework references
Where Bitcoin Custody Intersects Legal and Fiduciary Authority
Where custody creates gaps in estate planning, fiduciary duty, and professional responsibility.
Professional Scope Boundary Matrix
What each professional or product covers, what they do not, and where gaps form between them.
The Independent Assessment Layer in Bitcoin Custody
How independent diagnostic layers emerge when multiple parties depend on shared infrastructure.
Translate