Open Letter to Satoshi Nakamoto: Why You Need a Sophisticated Trustee to Safeguard Your Assets
Dear Satoshi Nakamoto,
First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your monumental contribution to humankind. The creation of Bitcoin has not only revolutionized the financial system but has also paved the way for an entirely new paradigm in global economics and personal freedom.
Your innovation has sparked a transformative wave, bringing with it unprecedented opportunities for decentralization, privacy, and empowerment. For that, I—and countless others—owe you a great deal of appreciation.
However, as Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem continue to grow in influence, so too do the risks associated with being at the forefront of this digital revolution.
Recent events, such as the kidnapping of WonderFi CEO Dean Skurka, have made it painfully clear that those leading the crypto space are becoming increasingly vulnerable to physical threats, extortion, and other forms of criminal activity.
As someone who has worked extensively with ultra-high-net-worth individuals on asset protection and security, I must raise an important consideration: your wealth and influence—while transformative—also expose you to significant risks.
To help manage these risks, I urge you to consider a sophisticated trustee structure for your assets. While the decentralized nature of Bitcoin is revolutionary, a trustee could serve as a critical layer of protection, not just for your digital empire but for your personal security as well.
Why a Trustee is Useful for You
1. Custodial Independence:
By entrusting your Bitcoin and associated assets to a professional, independent trustee, you effectively place a layer between your personal identity and your wealth.
The trustee becomes the legal owner of your assets, which makes it far more difficult for criminals to trace or target you. This separation can significantly reduce your exposure to personal threats, as your wealth is no longer directly linked to you.
2. The No-Ransom Commitment:
A trust deed can include a legally binding “no-ransom” clause, ensuring that under no circumstances will the trustee release funds to criminals, even in the event of a kidnapping or extortion attempt.
This removes the leverage that kidnappers or criminals may believe they have, acting as a powerful deterrent and effectively reducing the appeal of targeting you or other crypto leaders.
3. Crisis Management:
A well-established trustee structure comes with predefined crisis protocols. In an emergency situation, the trustee can lock down assets, initiate multi-signature authentication, notify law enforcement, and prevent unauthorized transactions.
This offers a secure, organized response to threats, preventing criminals from exploiting the situation for immediate financial gain.
The Future of Crypto Depends on Security
The cryptocurrency industry has grown far beyond its original boundaries, and with that growth comes new risks. Crypto executives are no longer just innovators—they are high-profile targets. If the industry is to continue flourishing, it must evolve to address the emerging threats to both assets and personal safety. A trustee is an essential step in that evolution.
The kidnapping of Dean Skurka is a stark reminder that the risks to crypto leaders are no longer confined to the digital realm.
Dear Satoshi, I urge you to consider a sophisticated trustee structure to protect your assets and, more importantly, your personal safety.
Sincerely,
Frédéric Sanz
