The Dark Side of the Encryption World: Increasing Offline Violence Threats

In the field of blockchain, we often discuss technical threats such as on-chain attacks, contract vulnerabilities, and hacker intrusions. However, recent events have indicated that the danger has spread to the real world. A series of kidnapping and extortion cases targeting cryptocurrency holders have forced the industry to reassess security strategies.

Last year, a cryptocurrency billionaire recounted his experience of a kidnapping attempt during a court hearing. The attackers tracked his movements using GPS, forged documents, and disposable phones, attempting to launch an attack from behind as he went upstairs. Fortunately, the entrepreneur managed to escape, but this incident revealed the real threats faced by holders of digital assets.

As the value of encryption assets continues to rise, the so-called "wrench attacks" targeting users have become increasingly common. This type of attack does not rely on complex technical means, but instead uses direct personal threats or violence to force victims to hand over their passwords or assets.

Since the beginning of this year, a number of high-profile kidnapping cases have shocked the crypto community. From the core members of the project to ordinary users, they have become potential targets. For example, the French police rescued the father of a kidnapped crypto tycoon, and the kidnappers even brutally cut off the victim's fingers to pressure the family. In another case, an Italian crypto investor was imprisoned and tortured for up to three weeks in New York, where criminals used chainsaws, electric shock devices, and other means to force him to hand over his wallet private keys.

The attackers in these cases are often young and possess basic encryption knowledge, typically aged between 16 and 23. Even more concerning is that the disclosed cases may only be the tip of the iceberg, as many victims choose to remain silent for various reasons.

For this type of attack, traditional technical defenses often fail to provide effective protection. Methods such as multi-signature wallets or decentralized storage of mnemonic phrases may backfire in the face of direct personal threats. Instead, a more practical strategy is "to give something, with controllable losses":

1. Set up a bait wallet: Prepare an account that seems to be the main one but actually holds only a small amount of assets, for "stop-loss" in case of emergencies.

2. Strengthen family security management: Ensure that family members understand the basic asset situation and response methods; set up a safety code for conveying danger signals; enhance the security of household devices and residence.

3. Reduce the risk of identity exposure: Avoid flaunting assets or transaction records on social media; be cautious about disclosing encryption asset holdings in real life; strictly manage personal information to prevent information leakage.

With the rapid development of the encryption industry, KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) systems play a crucial role in enhancing financial transparency and preventing illegal capital flows. However, these systems also face challenges in data security and user privacy protection during implementation. The collection of a large amount of sensitive information may become a potential target for attackers.

To this end, it is recommended to introduce a dynamic risk identification system based on traditional KYC processes to reduce unnecessary information collection. At the same time, the platform can consider integrating professional anti-money laundering and tracking services to enhance risk control capabilities from the source. In addition, strengthening data security capacity is also crucial, which can be achieved by comprehensively assessing potential risks through professional security testing services.

In the encryption world, online and offline security are equally important. With technological advancements, we must not only guard against digital attacks but also be vigilant against threats in the real world. Only with comprehensive security awareness and protective measures can we truly safeguard the security of encrypted assets.