This Unchained podcast episode features an interview with Jameson Lopp, co-founder and CSO of CASA, discussing the alarming rise of "wrench attacks"—physical assaults targeting crypto holders to extort funds. The interview begins with a discussion of a recent high-profile kidnapping in France, highlighting the increasing sophistication and organization of these attacks. Lopp then details his GitHub page tracking these incidents, revealing geographical trends and victim profiles, emphasizing that personal risk factors, such as flaunting wealth or engaging in risky OTC trades, are key determinants of vulnerability. He suggests mitigation strategies, including multi-signature wallets and avoiding high-risk activities, while acknowledging the inherent trade-offs between security and decentralization. The episode concludes with a warning about the increasing prevalence of such attacks as crypto gains wider public attention.
