Crypto Crime Escalates With Kidnappings, Cons and Human Coercion

After a year of kidnappings, assaults and armed home invasions targeting cryptocurrency holders, the industry is racing to harden its defenses.

Conferences are beefing up security. Private firms serving crypto holders say demand has surged. Exchanges are protecting their executives.

The defensive stance was on display at the Bitcoin 2026 conference in Las Vegas last month, where many of the highest-profile speakers moved through the venue trailed by personal bodyguards. A standing-room-only workshop taught attendees how to protect their crypto holdings during a home invasion. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, The Venetian Resort security team, external contractors and private ...