Crypto Kidnappings and Physical Attacks Are on the Rise—Here’s How to Stay Safe - Ep. 775

Unchained

Laura Shin

News, Tech News, Business News

4.5 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 31 January 2025

⏱️ 44 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland in France sent shockwaves through the crypto community, raising urgent questions about security for high-profile crypto holders. How do you protect yourself when criminals are willing to go beyond digital attacks and resort to violence? In this episode of Unchained, Jameson Lopp, co-founder and Chief Security Officer of Casa, speaks about the growing trend of “wrench attacks”—physical assaults aimed at forcing crypto holders to transfer their assets. Lopp explains how these attacks are evolving, what makes someone a target, and which geographies are seeing the most attacks. Plus, he shares what behaviors put you most at risk, how criminals are getting more organized, and why relying on exchanges for security is not as safe as you think. If you hold significant crypto wealth, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. Show highlights: 2:02 How a Ledger co-founder was kidnapped and how the situation was resolved 6:46 Who tends to be targeted and which geographies see the most physical attacks 14:15 The riskiest behaviors that are likely to lead to wrench attacks 16:01 How attackers decide who to target 20:37 How the attacks have been accelerating lately 22:16 How the Ledger team ensured the kidnappers couldn’t access the ransom money 23:44 Jameson’s top tips on how crypto holders can stay safe 29:30 News Recap Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! Mantle Polkadot Quai Network Guest Jameson Lopp, co-founder and Chief Security Officer of Casa Links Previous coverage of Unchained on crypto security: Here’s How to Protect Your Crypto and Seed Phrases From Natural Disasters Reuters: Kidnapped co-founder of French crypto firm Ledger had his hand mutilated Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	If you pop up on somebody's radar because you're engaging in risky activity, then you could live in a completely safe neighborhood.
0:09.0	But if you're getting specifically targeted, especially by organized crime, you know, they're not going to necessarily care about that.
0:15.3	They're going to do what they can to bypass as many safeguards as possible and get to you the high value target.
0:26.6	Hi, everyone. Welcome to Unchained. You're a no hype resource for all things crypto. I'm your host,
0:31.3	Laura Shin. We are now featuring quotes from listeners on the show. Today we have one from
0:36.3	ExP Christ on YouTube on the recent
0:39.1	interview with A16C crypto's Chris Dixon. EXP Christ writes, quote, every time you have
0:45.1	Chris Dixon on, I'm excited because he really does represent someone who is advocating for the
0:49.9	success of technology protocols. I think he's right that the change of administration is truly
0:54.8	a watershed moment for the entire crypto and AI industry. This administration is technology
1:00.4	forward thinking. It's time to build. To have your comment featured, write a review of the podcast
1:05.7	overall or leave a comment on our YouTube or X video. This is the January 31st, 2025 episode of Unchained.
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	...

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