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Crypto & Security Source: TechCrunch August 17, 2026

Crypto Hardware Wallet Owners Face Fresh Security Risks After Physical Data Breaches

A series of customer address leaks from hardware wallet manufacturers triggers physical extortion campaigns targeting high-net-worth crypto holders.

Crypto Hardware Wallet Owners Face Fresh Security Risks After Physical Data Breaches
Image credit & sourcing: TechCrunch editorial breakdown.

Cybersecurity firms are warning cryptocurrency investors after customer shipping databases from major hardware wallet manufacturers were compromised in third-party e-commerce breaches. The leaked records include customer names, physical home addresses, and purchase histories.

Armed with physical home addresses, extortionists have begun sending convincing fake replacement hardware wallets loaded with malicious firmware designed to extract seed phrases upon connection.

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Security experts strongly advise hardware wallet owners to use P.O. boxes for shipping and never insert unsolicited replacement devices into their computers.

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