Security Centre

Physical Attack Preparedness

How Collaborative Custody Protects You Under Coercion

Physical attacks relating to Bitcoin are extremely rare. Most clients will never face anything close to this scenario.

This guide is not intended to cause concern — it exists because good security means preparing for low-probability, high-impact events in a calm, practical way. Just like insurance, seatbelts, or fire alarms, it's best to know the plan and then go about life normally.

Collaborative custody already neutralises the vast majority of coercion risk. The rest is simply common-sense privacy and awareness.

Extremely rare Collaborative custody protection Calm preparation

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This scenario is extremely unlikely. The purpose of this guide is preparation, not fear. Collaborative custody is designed to protect you in these rare situations, allowing you to prepare once and then live normally and confidently.

The Three Highest-Impact Principles

These three principles keep your risk very low and form the foundation of physical attack protection:

1. Do Not Tell Anyone You Own Bitcoin

More than anything else, privacy eliminates risk. Physical coercion almost always comes from people who knew the victim had Bitcoin. If you keep your holdings private, the likelihood of a targeted attack becomes vanishingly small.

Don't discuss your Bitcoin publicly
Don't post about it on social media
Don't leave devices or backups in plain sight

This is about basic discretion, not paranoia.

2. Your Safety Always Comes First

If you ever found yourself in a threatening situation (again, extremely unlikely):

Do not resist
Do not escalate
Prioritise yourself and your family, not your Bitcoin

Collaborative custody exists so you can comply calmly while remaining safe.

3. Your Single Key Cannot Move Your Vault

Your main Bitcoin is secured in a 2-of-3 multisig vault:

You hold one key
The Bitcoin Adviser holds one key
Our custody partner holds one key

Two keys are required to move funds. Your individual seed or device cannot move your Bitcoin on its own — this is why physical coercion scenarios rarely succeed.

How Collaborative Custody Protects You

Collaborative custody neutralises coercion through multiple layers of protection:

Why Collaborative Custody Neutralises Coercion

Attackers want fast access. Your setup provides the opposite:

Spending requires multiple independent approvals — No single person can move funds alone
Unusual or urgent requests trigger checks — We verify all transaction requests
Any sign of distress causes delays or refusal — We're trained to recognize coercion
No phone call, email, or plea can override security controls — The system is designed to resist pressure

Pressure does not unlock Bitcoin — it stops Bitcoin. This dramatically reduces the value of coercion as an attack method.

Additional Protection: The Duress & Capacity Clause

Our Terms of Service strengthen this protection even further. TBA will disregard instructions that appear coerced or involuntary.

This means:

Even if someone forces you to request a signature
Even if you attempt to act "willingly" under pressure
We will not process the request

This policy exists to protect you, much like a bank rejecting a suspicious transfer. We're trained to recognize signs of coercion and will refuse to process any transaction that appears to be made under duress.

During a Coercion Attempt

Again, this scenario is extremely unlikely. The purpose is preparation, not fear. If you ever needed simple, calm language, here is your script:

What to Say

Use this simple, calm language:

"My Bitcoin is stored in a security system with The Bitcoin Adviser. I only control one key. They and a custody partner must approve before anything can move. Without them, nothing can be spent."

Reinforce that:

You do not have full control
The process cannot be rushed
The system freezes when anything looks suspicious

This is true, and attackers generally stop escalating once they realise force is ineffective.

How to Act

A. Stay calm and comply if necessary

This is about personal safety, not protecting Bitcoin. Collaborative custody has already done that job.

B. Clearly explain your limitations

Short, simple statements work best:

"I cannot move the main Bitcoin myself."
"They won't sign if anything looks unusual."

C. If they demand your device or seed

If giving it over reduces danger, you may do so safely. Your key alone cannot move the vault. Afterward, TBA will treat the key as compromised and assist with recovery.

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What Not to Promise: Do not say you can send everything immediately. You can't — and this protects you. Instead, rely on the truth: "The whole point of using this system is that I cannot move it myself." This discourages escalation and reinforces reality.

After an Incident

Should anything ever occur (rare but covered scenario), follow these steps:

Immediate Actions

Contact The Bitcoin Adviser via your secure channel — We will freeze activity, reject suspicious requests, and begin rebuilding your vault.
Treat exposed devices as compromised — We'll help you reset everything safely.
File a police report if appropriate — Standard procedure in any security event.

Again, these steps are unlikely ever to be needed — but knowing them brings peace of mind.

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For detailed recovery procedures: See our Bitcoin Emergency Kit for comprehensive guidance on what to do after security incidents, including lost keys, compromised devices, and recovery procedures.

Advanced Protection Measures (Optional, Not Required)

These can make your story even more credible under pressure, but for most clients, collaborative custody is already sufficient:

Decoy or Spending Wallet

A small, separate wallet can help de-escalate without touching core holdings. This provides a way to demonstrate "cooperation" while protecting your main vault.

Tiered Storage Structure

Spending wallet → optional cold storage → core multisig vault. This creates layers that make it clear your main holdings require multiple approvals.

Seed Hygiene

Keep your TBA key seed dedicated to the TBA vault only. Don't mix it with other wallets or services. This keeps your collaborative security setup clean and separate.

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Remember: These are optional enhancements. For most clients, collaborative custody alone provides sufficient protection. Only consider these if you have specific concerns or want additional layers.

Home & Privacy Hygiene

No need for extreme measures — just sensible discretion:

Physical Security

Don't label anything "Bitcoin"
Don't leave hardware wallets lying around
Keep backups stored discreetly

Digital Privacy

Avoid telling people about your holdings or setup
Don't discuss Bitcoin publicly
Don't post about it on social media

Think of this like protecting jewellery, a safe, or important documents. Basic discretion goes a long way.

Client Summary — Calm, Prepared, Protected

If you are ever physically threatened (again, extremely unlikely):

Quick Reference Checklist

Do not resist; prioritise safety — Your personal safety comes first
Explain that your Bitcoin cannot be moved with one key — Collaborative custody protects you
Make clear that TBA + custody partner must approve every spend — This is the truth and discourages escalation
You may hand over your seed or device if it keeps you safe — It cannot move the vault
You may move a small spending-wallet amount if needed — Optional decoy wallet
TBA will block coerced requests under the Duress & Capacity clause — We're trained to recognize coercion
Once safe, contact TBA to rebuild your vault — We'll help you recover and secure everything

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Collaborative custody is designed for exactly this unlikely scenario. It protects you when you are not in control. Prepare once — then live normally and confidently.

Want to Learn More About Collaborative Security?

Collaborative custody is the foundation of physical attack protection. Learn how 2-of-3 multisig eliminates single points of failure and protects your Bitcoin in all scenarios.

Learn About Collaborative Security Contact Us

Related Resources

Security Centre — All security guides and resources in one place
Bitcoin Emergency Kit — Comprehensive emergency procedures and recovery guidance
Collaborative Security — Learn how 2-of-3 multisig protects your Bitcoin
Hardware Wallet Guide — Securing your signing devices
YubiKey Security Guide — Protecting your digital perimeter

Educational only — no financial, tax, or legal advice. Seek appropriate licensed professionals where required. This guide is for informational purposes and does not guarantee protection against all threats.