The New York City Department of Finance published a searchable database built from the city's FY2027 property assessment roll, drawing criticism from crypto industry executives who argue the tool increases security risks for wealthy property owners. Uniswap founder Hayden Adams called the database "the worst mass doxxing I've ever seen," stating it listed nearly every unit in luxury apartment buildings including primary residences. The controversy centers on public property records released annually through NYC's Open Data portal, which critics say have been transformed from scattered information into an easily searchable resource that could expose affluent residents to physical danger.
NYC Property Database Includes FY2027 Assessment Roll Data
The New York City Department of Finance annually releases assessed values used to calculate property taxes for every property in the city. The agency's FY2027 assessment roll, supplemental market value data, and property tax guides are publicly available through the city's Open Data portal. Critics on X said the issue is not that the records are public, but that they have been aggregated and organized into a searchable database that makes identifying owners of expensive properties far easier.
Hayden Adams wrote that the database listed nearly every unit in some luxury apartment buildings. "Not only were their units listed, but nearly every unit in the entire building was listed," Adams wrote. "They clearly took an incredibly expansive view of 'could be' and just doxxed a huge percentage of all expensive apartments in New York City."
Crypto Executives Warn of Physical Security Risks
Helius CEO Mert Mumtaz called the database "unsettling" and said it crossed a line by transforming scattered public records into a centralized resource that effectively singled out wealthy individuals. "While this data was largely public prior to this in a messy way they have cleaned it, organized it, singled out 'the rich,' and mass distributed it only the 50th sign this year of privacy continuing to become scarcer," he wrote.
Castle Island Ventures partner Nic Carter warned that an easily searchable database of affluent property owners could make potential victims easier to identify, pointing to recent crypto-related kidnappings and violent attacks in Europe. "So this is a list of wealthy people and their addresses. As we've seen in France and Sweden this leads to crypto kidnappings, torturings and murders," Carter wrote on X. "Yes real estate records are semi public but this is an easily searchable database and target list."
CertiK Reports 72 Verified Crypto Wrench Attacks in 2025
Blockchain security firm CertiK reported 72 verified crypto "wrench attacks" worldwide in 2025, up 75% from the previous year and resulting in more than $40.9 million in losses. Physical or "wrench" attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders include kidnappings, torture, home invasions, and sexual assaults.
In April, French authorities charged 88 suspects, including more than 10 minors, in a sweeping crackdown on violent crypto kidnappings. In May, U.S. prosecutors indicted three men accused of carrying out a series of armed home invasions across California that allegedly stole millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. In June, two Texas brothers pleaded guilty to kidnapping a Minnesota family and forcing the victims to transfer more than $8 million in crypto.
By July, CertiK said attackers had already carried out 52 verified crypto "wrench attacks" in the first half of 2026, with recorded financial exposure surging nearly twelvefold year over year to $124 million.
FAQ
What did the New York City Department of Finance publish?
The NYC Department of Finance published a searchable database built from the city's FY2027 property assessment roll, which includes assessed values used to calculate property taxes for every property in the city. The data is publicly available through NYC's Open Data portal.
Why did crypto industry executives criticize the NYC property database?
Crypto executives including Uniswap founder Hayden Adams, Helius CEO Mert Mumtaz, and Castle Island Ventures partner Nic Carter argued that organizing public records into a searchable database increases security risks by making it easier to identify wealthy property owners and their addresses, potentially exposing them to physical danger.
How many crypto wrench attacks did CertiK report in 2025?
Blockchain security firm CertiK reported 72 verified crypto "wrench attacks" worldwide in 2025, representing a 75% increase from the previous year and resulting in more than $40.9 million in losses. By July, CertiK reported 52 verified attacks in the first half of 2026 with $124 million in recorded financial exposure.
