Are Wrench Attacks Actually Increasing — or Just Making Headlines?

[madtrader]

Data suggests both dynamics are at play. Analysis by Dragonfly’s Haseeb Qureshi, based on Jameson Lopp’s public incident log, indicates that reported wrench attacks have increased over time and grown more severe. Notably, incident frequency appears to rise alongside total crypto market capitalization, with estimates suggesting nearly half of the variation in reported attacks correlates with market size.

But the numbers come with caveats. Lopp’s database only captures publicly reported cases, and academic research points to significant underreporting, as victims may stay silent out of fear or shame. When adjusted per user, the risk may be lower than earlier cycles — even if the stories feel more alarming. The visibility of these crimes may be rising faster than their true prevalence.

[nihalsari]

feels like these stories pop up more when prices go up, not a coincidence