Criminals obtained more than $30 million through 12 successful attacks during the first half of 2026, according to Chainalysis, a blockchain analytics company.
- That works out to at least $2.5 million per successful incident, based on The Coinformer's analysis of the firm's data published on Thursday, Aug. 6.
By comparison, attackers stole a record $58 million through 47 successful incidents in 2025, equal to about $1.2 million per attack. The estimated average haul has therefore risen by more than 100%, even as criminals have become much less likely to receive a payment.
Chainalysis counts an attack as successful when a victim gives up cryptocurrency. Its figures include kidnappings, home invasions and other incidents in which victims are threatened or physically forced to transfer assets, per the report.
The company cautioned that its totals cover only reported incidents, adding that the "combined total more fully attests to the scope of the problem."
More attacks are failing
At least 12 of 46 documented attempts succeeded through late June, compared with 47 of 95 in 2025. The success rate fell from 49% to 26%, while it stood at 67% in 2024.
Chainalysis attributed much of the decline to France, where a growing number of apparently less selective attacks have failed to produce payments.
Crypto-related attacks in France. Source: Chainalysis
- France recorded 30 publicly known incidents through mid-2026, up from 19 during all of 2025.
- But Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said authorities had identified more than 70 crypto-related violent incidents, suggesting the public count captures only part of the wave.
Leaked data may have supplied targets
Chainalysis said a breach involving a French tax official was the likeliest cause of the surge. The official allegedly stole and sold records containing crypto holders' names, addresses, phone numbers, holdings and tax information.
- A separate breach disclosed by French crypto tax service Waltio exposed information linked to about 50,000 users.
- Attacks in France subsequently accelerated from roughly 1.9 per month in 2025 to 4.6 per month during the first half of 2026.
Family members are also increasingly being targeted. Relations of crypto holders accounted for an estimated 25% to 30% of global cases by early 2026 and more than 40% in France, Chainalysis said.