Crypto robbery and kidnapping cases surge, with 52 attacks in first half

Violent crimes including robbery and kidnapping aimed at forcing victims to transfer cryptocurrency or stealing their holdings have surged this year, Bloomberg reported. In a recent report, blockchain security firm CertiK said it identified 52 physical attacks worldwide targeting holders of digital assets, or cryptocurrencies, in the first half of this year, up 33% from a year earlier. Total losses and ransom demands reached $124 million, with France accounting for the most cases at 33. CertiK added that home-invasion robberies rose sharply, as criminals increasingly see physical intimidation as a way to generate larger proceeds, reshaping the economics of such crimes.