Violent criminals have stolen more than $30 million in cryptocurrency from holders through the first half of 2026, putting the year on track to become the worst on record for physical attacks on crypto owners, Chainalysis said Thursday.
The figure counts only successful thefts and cases where a victim gave up funds. Figures provided by the blockchain analytics firm noted that this year trails 2025's full-year record of $58 million but notably arrives at mid-year.
Chainalysis warned the pattern would surpass that total if it holds through the second half.
Counting attempts as well as completed thefts — ransoms demanded, coerced transfers that were blocked, and funds later frozen or recovered — the totals run far higher, at roughly $316 million in 2024, $180 million in 2025, and $107 million so far in 2026, according to the firm.
Chainalysis called even those figures a likely undercount, since they capture only reported attacks.
