Binance Introduces Withdrawal Lock Feature to Combat Physical Coercion Attacks

Binance has taken steps to protect its users from a growing threat in the crypto space: physical coercion attacks. The exchange has introduced a withdrawal lock feature called Withdraw Protection, which allows users to temporarily lock their withdrawals or completely disable them for up to 7 days.

The feature is designed to counter so-called 'wrench attacks', where malicious actors physically subdue cryptocurrency holders to force the transfer of their funds. According to data from CertiK and researcher Jameson Lopp, incidents of physical coercion against cryptocurrency holders have increased by 75% in 2025, with at least 72 confirmed cases.

Withdraw Protection is an internal policy that cannot be overridden by Binance's customer service agents, but it does not prevent judicial authorities from taking action on accounts. This means that users who activate the lock will still be subject to court orders or law enforcement actions if necessary.