In response to a subpoena, Mike Schmidt provided details of participants at a Bitcoin developer event linked to the investigation of Luke Dashjr’s Bitcoin theft. In a social media post, Schmidt revealed that he received a subpoena from the FBI requiring him to submit personal information of attendees from the October 2022 CoreDev Atlanta event. Despite a non-disclosure order, Schmidt was only able to talk about the investigation once the order expired. He complied with the FBI’s request by providing full names, GitHub usernames, and email addresses of the event attendees as part of the investigation into Luke Dashjr’s theft of Bitcoins.
The FBI demanded Mike Schmidt’s cooperation in an investigation into the theft of Luke Dashjr’s Bitcoins. Schmidt received a subpoena a year ago requesting information about attendees at a developer event, which he had to comply with due to the non-disclosure order. The FBI agent requested various pieces of information from Schmidt, and after some pushback, they agreed on a subset of information that included full names, GitHub usernames, and email addresses of the attendees. Schmidt highlighted the irony of the situation by pointing out that Luke Dashjr, who wants to educate others on using Bitcoin, couldn’t secure his own Bitcoins and inadvertently got everyone at the conference he attended doxxed by the FBI.
Luke Dashjr, a core Bitcoin developer, disclosed that he lost nearly all his Bitcoin holdings after his PGP key was compromised in 2023. Hackers compromised Dashjr’s PGP key on Dec. 31, 2022, resulting in the theft of over 200 BTC. With the current price of Bitcoin at $71,000, the total value of the stolen Bitcoins would exceed $14.2 million. This incident highlights the importance of securing digital assets and the potential financial losses that can occur due to security vulnerabilities.
The FBI’s investigation into the theft of Luke Dashjr’s Bitcoins involved subpoenaing Mike Schmidt for information on attendees at a developer event. Schmidt complied with the FBI’s request by providing details, such as full names, GitHub usernames, and email addresses of the participants. Despite initially being under a non-disclosure order, Schmidt was allowed to discuss the investigation once the order expired. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of safeguarding personal and digital assets in the age of increasing cyber threats.
The disclosure of Luke Dashjr’s loss of over 200 Bitcoins due to a compromised PGP key underscores the risks associated with storing digital assets. Dashjr’s experience serves as a reminder of the need for robust security measures to protect against cyber threats and potential financial losses. The incident also sheds light on the vulnerability of digital currencies to hacking and the importance of implementing best practices for securing cryptocurrencies. This development in the Bitcoin ecosystem could impact the perception of security and trust in digital assets among investors and users alike.
The interconnected nature of the Bitcoin community was exemplified by the FBI’s investigation into Luke Dashjr’s Bitcoin theft and the subsequent cooperation of attendees at a developer event. Mike Schmidt’s compliance with the FBI’s subpoena demonstrates the legal implications and responsibilities associated with digital transactions and data sharing. The incident also raises questions about the privacy and security implications of using digital currencies and participating in online events. Overall, the case serves as a cautionary tale for both developers and users of cryptocurrencies regarding the potential risks and consequences of inadequate security measures.
