Law enforcement officials in Ukraine have apprehended two individuals in connection with a violent crime allegedly motivated by cryptocurrency extortion. The arrests are part of a broader, concerning trend of physical attacks targeting digital asset holders, a method colloquially termed a ‘wrench attack.’ Recent data indicates that Europe is a significant focal point for this criminal activity, accounting for more than 30% of the nearly 70 such incidents documented globally so far this year. This case underscores a surge in crypto-related violence across the continent, where perpetrators are increasingly resorting to coercion and physical threats to steal valuable digital currencies. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to combat this dangerous escalation in financial crime.
