Physical coercion — hardware wallet (2023)

Blocked

Case description

Jameson Lopp's physical bitcoin attacks list documented multiple UK incidents in 2023, including street robberies targeting crypto holders identified via social media. One documented case involved a young Bitcoin holder coerced at knifepoint near a cryptocurrency ATM in London into making an immediate transfer. The attack pattern—targeting people using Bitcoin ATMs—became a known risk in urban areas with high ATM density. The irreversibility of Bitcoin transactions meant funds transferred under coercion could not be recalled.

Custody context

Stress condition	Physical coercion
Custody system	Hardware wallet (single key)
Outcome	Blocked
Documentation	Unknown
Year observed	2023
Country	United Kingdom

Structural dependencies observed

Biometric or physical presence

What this illustrates

Access required in-person verification that couldn't be arranged under the circumstances. Access was not recoverable.

Outcome interpretation

Access was not possible under the reported conditions.

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.