Wrench attacks are on the rise thanks in part to cryptocurrency’s move into mainstream finance, Phil Ariss of the crypto tracing firm TRM Labs said in a recent blog post. “Criminal groups already comfortable with using violence to achieve their goals were always likely to migrate to crypto,” Ariss said.

The second suspect in the alleged kidnapping and torture of an Italian bitcoin dealer inside a SoHo townhouse was seen scowling as he was remanded without bail in court Tuesday night.

In response to the threat of hacking, holders of a large amount of crypto often try and keep their private keys off the internet and stored in what are called “cold wallets.” Used properly, such wallets can defeat even the most sophisticated and determined hackers.

All targeted people with ties to the cryptocurrency world - in most cases, family members of crypto entrepreneurs or influencers

The Euro exec became a person of interest in the case after the arrest of Kentucky crypto king John Woeltz on Friday for allegedly holding wealthy trader Michael Vanlentino Teofrasto Carturan

One of two cryptocurrency investors under arrest in the alleged kidnapping and torture of a man in SoHo has waived his court appearance on Wednesday morning. John Woeltz, 37, was expected to make his first court appearance in a Lower Manhattan courtroom after he was taken into custody on Friday and charged in the alleged kidnapping scheme.