Crypto Family Scatters Bitcoin Seed Phrases Across Four Continents Amid Kidnapping Fears
When safety becomes a game of global hide-and-seek, one family takes cold storage to the extreme.
Security or paranoia? A Bitcoin-holding family has fragmented their crypto seed phrases across four continents following alleged kidnapping threats. No centralized vaults, no single point of failure—just a high-stakes scavenger hunt spanning the planet.
Forget banks charging 2% custody fees for 'peace of mind.' These folks opted for geographic arbitrage even Wall Street can't hedge against. The ultimate diversification play—where your assets' survival depends on airline luggage policies and border customs.
Welcome to 2025: where your net worth requires a frequent flyer program and kidnappers need a logistics team.
Even at Gunpoint Attackers Would Get Little
“We have changed everything,” Taihuttu told CNBC from Thailand. “Even if someone held me at gunpoint, I can’t give them more than what’s on my phone wallet — and that’s not much.”
Over the past eight months, the family moved to a hybrid system: seed phrases are encrypted, split, and stored in both physical and digital formats.
Some parts are etched onto fireproof steel plates hidden across four continents. Others are stored via blockchain-based encryption services.
“You only need to remember which words you changed,” Taihuttu explained. The system ensures that even if attackers access part of the seed phrase, they cannot unlock the family’s full holdings.
The decision comes as physical attacks on crypto holders increase. Moroccan police this week arrested a suspect accused of kidnapping crypto executives.
In France, the father of a crypto millionaire was brutally attacked. And in New York, a tourist was tortured for over two weeks as kidnappers tried to extract his Bitcoin credentials.
Three British men kidnapped a UK crypto trader in Spain
Demanding a €30K ransom.
The victim managed to call a friend, who alerted the police
Leading to a dramatic rescue.
(5/9) pic.twitter.com/8B7OqwnIta
The Taihuttus, who remain entirely unbanked and travel full-time with their three daughters, say they are rethinking even their public presence.
After strangers tracked their residence through YouTube videos, they stopped posting travel updates and moved homes.
“We got a little bit famous in a niche market — but that niche is becoming a big market now,” Taihuttu said, noting the family has decided to avoid traveling to France altogether.
About 65% of their crypto is now locked in cold storage across four continents. The rest remains in multi-signature wallets or decentralized exchanges for trading and daily spending.
Taihuttu said they avoid centralized vaults and services, preferring to retain full control.
“What happens if one of those companies goes bankrupt? You’re putting your capital back in someone else’s hands,” he said.
Crypto Executives Hire Bodyguards
As reported, crypto executives are turning to personal security services as targeted kidnappings and ransom attempts continue to escalate, particularly in France.
In May, private security firms such as Infinite Risks International, based in Amsterdam, reported a sharp increase in demand from crypto professionals seeking round-the-clock protection amid rising crypto kidnapping.
The rise in inquiries came a after spate of violent attacks, including multiple kidnappings attempts that have alarmed both investors and law enforcement.
