The world of cryptocurrency was once defined by anonymity and decentralization. But today, that veil is lifting—and for some, it’s revealing dangerous consequences. A growing number of crypto millionaires are no longer just guarding their wallets; they’re securing their lives, families, and homes. In 2025, personal security has become just as essential to them as private keys and cold storage.
The shift in mindset was already underway before the recent data breach at Coinbase, but that incident has dramatically intensified the urgency. The breach exposed sensitive user data—names, home addresses, identification details, and even wallet balances—essentially handing criminals a blueprint for targeting high-value individuals.
When Digital Threats Become Physical
Infinite Risks International, a private security firm based in Amsterdam, has seen a sharp uptick in demand from clients who made their fortunes in crypto. Managing Director Jethro Pijlman says more investors are locking in long-term contracts, seeking not just reactive services, but comprehensive risk assessments, social media scrubs, and armored transport.
“These investors are beginning to treat personal safety with the same intensity they treat portfolio diversification,” Pijlman shared. “What we’re seeing is a move from paranoia to preparedness.”
The Coinbase incident has made the stakes clearer. While the company stated that less than 1% of monthly active users were impacted, the reality is chilling: those affected accounts remained vulnerable for months. In that window, cybercriminals weren’t just phishing—they were orchestrating full-scale social engineering attacks, tricking users into handing over private keys or initiating transfers under duress.
And some of these threats are no longer confined to cyberspace.
From Online Scams to Doorstep Danger
Ronghui Gu, co-founder of blockchain security firm CertiK and professor at Columbia University, explained the risks succinctly: “When private information is leaked, crypto holders become extremely vulnerable. Crypto is transferable with a single private key and almost impossible to recover once lost.”
The physical implications of that reality are becoming horrifyingly real. In January, David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, was kidnapped along with his partner. He survived—but not without serious injury, including the mutilation of his hand.
Only a few weeks ago, criminals in Paris attempted to kidnap the daughter and grandson of the Paymium CEO. Though the plot was thwarted, it sent shockwaves through France’s crypto community. In response, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau launched an emergency police hotline specifically for crypto-related threats and announced plans to involve elite law enforcement units in home security evaluations.
Crypto Companies Investing in Protection
The threats aren’t only faced by individual holders. Major crypto companies are allocating millions to safeguard their leadership. Coinbase reportedly spent $6.2 million on CEO Brian Armstrong’s security last year—more than the combined security budgets for top executives at JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Nvidia.
Even other fintech players are following suit. Robinhood invested $1.6 million in security for Vlad Tenev, while Circle set aside $800,000 to protect its CEO, Jeremy Allaire. Although traditional tech giants like Meta and Alphabet still outspend them, the disparity lies in threat level—not company size.
Security protocols today go well beyond bodyguards. Some executives now have teams monitoring their social media feeds in real time, ensuring they don’t accidentally leak their location. Firms like Infinite Risks use advanced AI to scan for hidden patterns in posts that might give attackers an edge.
Bitcoin security advocate Jameson Lopp, who tracks these types of attacks, has already logged over 20 physical incidents involving crypto holders in 2025 alone. These events span continents—from Paris and Amsterdam to Miami and Bangkok. The threats are global, coordinated, and increasingly violent.
Conferences Under Lockdown
Even crypto events aren’t immune. The organizers of EthCC, one of Europe’s premier crypto conferences, have revamped their entire approach to safety. Last year, the event relied on local police for crowd control. This year, they’re partnering with special forces, private security contractors, and intelligence services to protect attendees.
Some traders aren’t taking any chances—they’re skipping travel altogether. A few high-profile investors have publicly announced they won’t attend international crypto gatherings, citing personal safety concerns as the primary reason.
The Bottom Line: As crypto wealth continues to rise, so does its visibility—and vulnerability. For many of the industry’s most successful players, the next bull run isn’t just about profits, but about survival. In a world where a single data leak can lead to a home invasion, hiring a bodyguard has become more than a precaution—it’s now part of doing business.
