As bitcoin’s surge continues, physical threats have reportedly escalated, prompting Binance to issue an urgent alert. A robust five-pronged defense strategy has been outlined by the exchange to help safeguard crypto holders across the globe.
On May 27, crypto exchange Binance issued a safety advisory, warning the crypto community about an emerging risk that extends beyond cyberspace. According to the Binance Physical Security team, the increasing value of bitcoin and broader adoption of cryptocurrencies have coincided with a rising threat of physical assaults on individuals involved in the crypto sector. Though such attacks remain uncommon, their growing occurrence has led Binance to call for greater vigilance and readiness among users.
Our data shows an increase in the number of publicly reported physical attacks on crypto users since 2021, with the BTC price strongly correlated with the number of such incidents.
Binance stated:
As the exchange noted, while digital security within the crypto sector has significantly advanced, there has been a noticeable shift by criminals toward physical tactics. Data trends clearly show this shift: authorities recorded only one such incident in 2019, while they have already logged 15 kidnapping cases in the first five months of 2025. Though these figures remain minor compared to the tens of thousands of annual global kidnappings, Binance stressed the importance of increased awareness and proactive safety measures—especially for individuals with high visibility or those believed to control significant digital assets.
Binance Unveils 5-Point Strategy Amid Rising Threats to Crypto Holders
To mitigate the threat of real-world attacks targeting crypto holders, Binance outlined five critical areas for users to focus on, each paired with immediate actions. The first recommendation encourages individuals to minimize their digital footprint by refraining from publicizing their crypto involvement, avoiding the display of wallet screenshots or transaction records, and utilizing pseudonyms for blockchain interactions to maintain anonymity. The second step focuses on enhancing privacy controls on social media. Users should set their accounts to private, remove location metadata from posts, and share travel details only after returning. These actions help prevent malicious actors from tracking or targeting them.
Third, users should actively obscure wallet ownership by using privacy-centric wallets, changing addresses frequently to break transactional patterns, and keeping their real identities separate from blockchain activities. Fourth, they should prioritize situational awareness by modifying daily travel routines, staying discreet at crypto events, and regularly evaluating physical security at their homes or workplaces. Fifth, users must establish clear emergency protocols—define crisis responses with trusted contacts, implement multi-signature wallets or hardware security modules to prevent forced access, and decide in advance when to contact law enforcement or professional security if a threat emerges.
These strategies integrate to create a robust defense that protects individuals and digital assets in high-risk scenarios.Binance paired its urgent caution with actionable guidance. In its statement, the exchange emphasized:
Criminals are looking for careless mistakes online, watching behaviors, and exploiting moments of vulnerability in their potential victims.
