The "Bitcoin Family," famous for selling all their possessions in 2017 to invest in Bitcoin and embrace a nomadic lifestyle, has significantly revamped its security measures amidst a rising tide of crypto-related crimes, including kidnappings and extortion attempts. Didi Taihuttu, the family's patriarch, along with his wife Romaine, and their three daughters Joli, Juna, and Jessa, have taken extreme precautions to safeguard their digital assets.
The family's decision to overhaul their security protocols was triggered by a series of alarming incidents targeting cryptocurrency holders worldwide. These incidents, ranging from abductions and physical torture to ransom schemes, highlighted the increasing risks associated with holding substantial amounts of cryptocurrency. This prompted the Taihuttu family to reassess their security and implement more robust measures to protect themselves from both physical and digital threats.
One of the most notable changes is the family's departure from hardware wallets, once considered the gold standard for crypto storage. Concerns about potential backdoors, remote access vulnerabilities, and controversial firmware updates led Didi Taihuttu to seek a more secure solution. Instead, the family has adopted a hybrid approach that combines analog and digital security methods.
Their new system involves splitting their Bitcoin wallet's 24-word seed phrase into four sets of six words. Each set is then etched onto fireproof metal plates and stored on a different continent. This multi-continental approach ensures that even if one location is compromised, the entire seed phrase remains secure. Didi Taihuttu explained that even if someone were to find 18 of the 24 words, they would not be able to access the funds.
In addition to the geographical distribution of their seed phrase, the Taihuttus have implemented other security measures. They have added a layer of personal encryption by modifying some words in the seed phrase, rendering them unusable without the proper context. They have also stopped using hardware wallets altogether. Didi noted that they are now "completely hardware wallet-less". Approximately 65% of the family's crypto is now stored in cold storage, completely disconnected from the internet. The remaining 35% is allocated to hot wallets protected by multi-signature protocols. Taihuttu uses tools like Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) for altcoins and layered security structures on centralized platforms.
Beyond digital security, the Bitcoin Family has also made lifestyle adjustments to minimize their risk. They have reduced their social media presence and avoid sharing real-time travel details to prevent potential stalkers from tracking their location. The family has also curtailed video shoots and avoids filming at home to maintain their privacy. While currently based in Thailand, they have stopped posting regular travel updates to safeguard their whereabouts.
The Bitcoin Family's story serves as a cautionary tale and a reminder of the importance of robust security measures in the crypto world. As the value of digital assets continues to rise, the risk of becoming a target for criminals also increases. The family's innovative approach to security, combining geographical distribution, encryption, and lifestyle adjustments, offers valuable insights for other crypto holders seeking to protect their assets and themselves. They are also eyeing multi-party computation (MPC) security to further enhance their defenses. Didi Taihuttu has stated that 65% of the family's crypto is now stored in cold storage and kept well out of sight.
