BBS:      TELESC.NET.BR
Assunto:  Crypto bigwigs targets for kidnappers
De:       Mike Powell
Data:     Sat, 30 May 2026 08:39:08 -0500
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Forget a simple mugging - report claims physical attacks on major crypto 
holders is on the rise as 'Whales' are targeted for kidnapping

Date:
Sat, 30 May 2026 01:05:00 +0000

Cryptocurrency executives and whales
alike are increasingly being targeted by a mix of criminal elements 
worldwide, even as security continues to be beefed up to protect the 
not-so-anonymous owners of cryptocurrency. 

The transparency introduced to the crypto world is putting some 
coin-collectors at risk of physical harm, and even kidnapping. But many are 
also being outed by their lavish lifestyles, presence at crypto conferences, 
or, in some cases, leaked exchange data.  Unlike most of their targets,
criminals generally find crypto executives and enthusiasts to be easy 
pickings, especially when they flaunt a lavish lifestyle or talk volume at 
conferences, crypto meets, or even drum up their holdings online. 

Given the unrecoverable nature of many of their holdings and the liquidity 
that they command, in addition to the ability to quickly move them across 
platforms, cryptocurrency-related physical attacks are on the rise, up a 
meteoric 75% as per a report by Bloomberg . 

The logic from the adversarial perspective of what the bad actors are seeing 
is  this is low risk, high ROI, said Adam Healy, CEO of Station70, a US-based 
security company focused on digital asset protection, while speaking to 
Bloomberg, pointing out that if the funds are laundered correctly, it makes 
for an easy payday. 

Some even play the long game, with a much more sophisticated attack on Drift, 
wiping an estimated $280 million from the derivatives exchange, in which 
hackers posed as a trading firm and even met staff at various conferences. 

Beefed up security amid other measures -- With
crypto wrench attacks becoming increasingly mainstream, crypto exchanges have 
responded by doubling down on protection for their executives. Crypto 
exchange Gemini, for example, spent $5 million on security for its 
co-founders, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (also known as the Winklevoss 
twins). 

Security protocols for individuals in similar situations are being 
established to provide greater protection. TRMs Phil Ariss, the director of 
UK Public Sector Relations, stated: Large, regulated exchanges and custodians 
are increasingly converging on something that looks very close to bigbank 
practice for a small group of key personnel  think executive protection for a 
handful of individuals, secure travel protocols, hardened offices, and 
internal policies about home addresses and childrens schools not being 
publicly visible. 

Private crypto holders are also employing bodyguards, attending physical 
security-focused conferences, and even looking to invest in decoy wallets and 
time-delay locks, and to remove their cold-storage wallets from their 
day-to-day routines altogether. 

Even with a recorded 75% YoY increase, the problem might be understated, with 
many silently paying ransoms, underreporting losses, or simply refusing to 
involve the authorities in what can often be a crime involving 
impossible-to-recover securities or additional perceived attention, which can 
be seen as painting a target on one's back.

Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/forget-a-simple-mugging-report-claims-p
hysical-attacks-on-major-crypto-holders-is-on-the-rise-as-whales-are-targeted-
for-kidnapping

$$
--- MultiMail/DOS
 * Origin: Capitol City Hub (1:2320/105)

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