Carlos Fernandes Jameson Lopp, the Chief Technology Officer of Casa, has uncovered a concerning trend of physical violence against individuals involved in cryptocurrency. His investigation, dating back to 2014, has compiled a list of over 100 physical assaults against bitcoin enthusiasts. This list, however, might just be the tip of the iceberg as many such incidents likely remain unreported and escape public notice.
A Shocking Revelation of Over 100 Physical Assaults on Cryptocurrency Holders
In a recent alarming development this November, a group of executives from a Binance client were kidnapped and forced to transfer their cryptocurrency holdings. This followed a brutal incident in Sweden, where a couple was physically attacked and coerced into giving up their digital currency.
Casa’s CTO, Jameson Lopp, has been meticulously documenting physical assaults on bitcoin users. For the year 2023 alone, Lopp has identified 16 such cases. He shared these findings on the social media platform X, stating, “Over 100 physical attacks have been directed at Bitcoin users. This historical archive I’ve compiled sheds more light on the issue.”
While extensive, Lopp’s compilation acknowledges its own limitations, indicating that the actual number of attacks is likely higher than reported. The list also includes attacks on cryptocurrency ATMs among other “crypto asset owning entities.”
The data presented by Lopp suggests a clear link between the increasing value of bitcoin and the spike in physical attacks and robberies. The timeline begins with a single attack in 2014, where early bitcoin advocate Hal Finney was a victim of SWATting. The trend intensified with five attacks in 2015 and four in 2016. The year 2017, marked by a bitcoin bull run, saw 12 such incidents. This number dramatically rose to 25 in 2018, with eight happening in January alone.
The years 2019 and 2020 witnessed a decrease in these incidents, but they rose again to 35 during the 2021 bull run. In 2022, Lopp recorded 26 attacks.
These attacks have varied in nature, including home invasions, SWATting, kidnappings, flawed in-person bitcoin transactions, and assaults on cryptocurrency mining operations. Lopp also offers an educational guide titled “The Hodlguard- a primer on physical security in Bitcoin,” and slides for individuals seeking to improve their security practices.
What are your views on the increasing number of physical attacks on cryptocurrency holders since 2014? We welcome your thoughts and opinions on this matter in the comments section below.
Table Of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cryptocurrency Attacks
Who is Jameson Lopp and what did he reveal about physical attacks on bitcoin owners?
Jameson Lopp, the CTO of Casa, revealed a list documenting over 100 physical attacks on bitcoin owners since 2014. His research suggests that this number may only represent a portion of the actual incidents, as many go unreported.
What recent incidents highlighted the physical threats to cryptocurrency holders?
Recent notable incidents include the abduction of executives from a Binance client and the violent assault on a Swedish couple, both coerced into transferring their cryptocurrency assets under duress.
How many physical attacks on bitcoin users did Jameson Lopp record in 2023?
In 2023, Jameson Lopp recorded 16 physical attacks on bitcoin users, as part of his ongoing effort to track such incidents.
What trend does Lopp’s list of attacks suggest about the safety of cryptocurrency holders?
Lopp’s list suggests an alarming trend of increasing physical attacks on cryptocurrency holders, often correlating with the rise in bitcoin’s value.
What types of attacks are included in Lopp’s documentation?
The attacks documented by Lopp include home invasions, SWATting, abductions, mishandled in-person bitcoin trades, and raids on cryptocurrency mining facilities.
What resources does Jameson Lopp provide for enhancing personal security in the cryptocurrency space?
Alongside his list of attacks, Lopp provides an educational resource titled “The Hodlguard- a primer on physical security in Bitcoin,” and slides for those looking to enhance their security techniques in the cryptocurrency domain.
More about Cryptocurrency Attacks
- Casa Technology
- Bitcoin Value Trends
- Personal Security in Cryptocurrency
- Rise in Cryptocurrency Attacks
- Jameson Lopp’s Security Advice
3 comments
interesting read, but the list might be just the tip of the iceberg… more needs to be done to protect crypto owners for sure.
wow, didnt know it was this bad, scary to think how much goes unreported… stay safe out there guys!
is it really this risky? kinda makes you think twice about getting into crypto, not sure if its worth the risk.