Bitcoin Family Secures Crypto Keys Across Four Continents

Didi Taihuttu, known as the head of the “Bitcoin Family,” has radically changed his approach to asset storage due to a surge in offline crimes targeting cryptocurrency holders, reports CNBC. 

The Taihuttu family gained fame in 2017 when they sold all their possessions and invested in Bitcoin.

Over the past eight months, they have abandoned hardware wallets. The family now employs a hybrid system: seed phrases are encrypted, divided into parts, and hidden across four continents. 

Some data is stored encrypted on the blockchain, while other parts are engraved on metal plates in physical caches. Additionally, Taihuttu has applied personal encryption by substituting some words in the phrase.

“Even if someone puts a gun to my head, I can’t give away more than what’s on the wallet in my phone. And that’s not much,” said Taihuttu.

About 65% of the family’s assets are in cold storage across four continents. Accessing them would require at least one international flight. Taihuttu plans to use this capital only if Bitcoin’s price reaches $1 million, which he predicts could happen by 2033.

For daily expenses and trading, the family uses hot wallets with multisignature technology via the Safe service. This requires confirmation from multiple participants to execute transactions. Taihuttu noted his preference for decentralized solutions over centralized storage.

“What happens if one of these companies goes bankrupt? Will I still have access? You’re handing over your capital to someone else again,” he argues.

Threats have also impacted the family’s public life. Taihuttu stopped disclosing his location after strangers began sending him messages about his home address. The family decided to move and completely cease filming at home.

“My children read the news too. Especially the story from France, where the daughter of [Paymium exchange CEO Pierre Noizat] was nearly kidnapped on the street. Now they ask tough questions: what if someone tries to kidnap us? What’s our plan?” Taihuttu shared.

Due to concerns for their daughters’ safety, the family decided to avoid traveling to France altogether and is considering withdrawing from the public eye.

Earlier in May, arrests were made in three countries of suspects involved in Bitcoin extortion.