Key facts
- A searchable database of New York City property records has been released.
- Crypto executives argue the database makes it easier to identify wealthy property owners.
- Critics warn this could increase the risk of physical danger and "wrench attacks."
- Recent incidents include crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions in Europe and the U.S.
A searchable database compiled from New York City's public property assessment records has ignited controversy, with prominent figures in the cryptocurrency industry warning it poses significant security risks. Critics argue that by organizing scattered public data into an easily accessible format, the database effectively creates a directory of wealthy property owners, potentially exposing them to physical danger.
Concerns center on the NYC Department of Finance's annual release of assessed property values. While the raw data has always been public, the aggregation and organization into a searchable tool have drawn sharp criticism. Uniswap founder Hayden Adams described it as "the worst mass doxxing I've ever seen," noting that the database listed nearly every unit in some luxury buildings, including primary residences of individuals he knows. He characterized the project as "incredibly dangerous" for casting too wide a net.
Helius CEO Mert Mumtaz echoed these sentiments, calling the database "unsettling" and a crossing of a line. He stated that cleaning and distributing this data singles out wealthy individuals, contributing to a broader trend of diminishing privacy. Castle Island Ventures partner Nic Carter warned that such a list of affluent property owners and their addresses could facilitate "crypto kidnappings, torturings and murders," citing recent incidents in Europe.
The backlash coincides with a reported rise in physical "wrench attacks" targeting cryptocurrency holders, which include kidnappings, torture, home invasions, and sexual assaults. Blockchain security firm CertiK reported a significant increase in these attacks, with 72 verified incidents worldwide in 2025 resulting in over $40.9 million in losses. French authorities have conducted crackdowns on crypto kidnappings, and U.S. prosecutors have indicted individuals accused of armed home invasions targeting cryptocurrency. CertiK further noted that by July of the following year, 52 verified attacks had already occurred, with financial exposure surging nearly twelvefold year over year.