Physical coercion — hardware wallet (2022)

Indeterminate

Case description

According to Jameson Lopp's physical bitcoin attacks database, 2022 saw at least 15 documented physical attacks targeting Bitcoin holders globally, including kidnappings, home invasions, robberies, and assaults. The attacks spanned multiple continents and ranged from street-level theft to sophisticated coordinated kidnappings. In many cases victims were coerced into transferring funds on-chain, with transactions irreversible after broadcast.

Custody context

Stress condition	Physical coercion
Custody system	Hardware wallet (single key)
Outcome	Indeterminate
Documentation	Unknown
Year observed	2022
Country	International

Structural dependencies observed

Biometric or physical presence

What this illustrates

Access required in-person verification that couldn't be arranged under the circumstances. It's not clear whether anyone ever regained access.

Outcome interpretation

Not enough information is available to determine the outcome.

Source

Publicly Reported

Evidence type

News article

Evidence link

https://github.com/jlopp/physical-bitcoin-attacks

Related cases involving physical coercion

105 cases involve physical coercion 274 cases involve hardware wallet (single key) View archive statistics →

This archive documents observed custody survivability failures. It does not attempt to document all Bitcoin losses or security incidents. Submit a case

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Framework references

Where Bitcoin Custody Intersects Legal and Fiduciary Authority

Where custody creates gaps in estate planning, fiduciary duty, and professional responsibility.

Professional Scope Boundary Matrix

What each professional or product covers, what they do not, and where gaps form between them.

The Independent Assessment Layer in Bitcoin Custody

How independent diagnostic layers emerge when multiple parties depend on shared infrastructure.