Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-01226
Physical coercion — hardware wallet (2024)
BlockedCase description
A July 2024 review of documented physical cryptocurrency attacks by CryptoSlate noted that the pattern of attacks in 2024 was shifting from opportunistic street crime toward pre-planned, intelligence-led operations targeting identified high-value holders. Attackers were increasingly using on-chain analytics, social media posts, and property records to identify targets before executing attacks. Jameson Lopp advised Bitcoin owners to maintain strict operational security: avoid disclosing holdings publicly, avoid high-value face-to-face trades, and use multi-signature custody arrangements where access could not be extracted by coercing a single person.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Physical coercion |
| Custody system | Hardware wallet (single key) |
| Outcome | Blocked |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2024 |
| Country | International |
Structural dependencies observed
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
Related cases involving physical coercion
105 cases involve physical coercion
274 cases involve hardware wallet (single key)
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This archive documents observed custody survivability failures. It does not attempt to document all Bitcoin losses or security incidents.
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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.
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