The FBI is investigating a 2022 Bitcoin core developer event, issuing a subpoena for attendee information related to the theft of 216 BTC from developer Luke Dashjr. Mike Schmidt, co-founder of Bitcoin non-profit Brink, revealed he complied with the FBI’s request, providing names, email addresses, and GitHub usernames of those who attended the CoreDev Atlanta event preceding TABConf 2022.
Subpoena and Cooperation
Schmidt, following legal advice, shared attendees’ personal information with the FBI, including their involvement in the October 2022 event. The subpoena, initially kept confidential for a year as per FBI’s instructions, sought to uncover details surrounding the significant hack of Dashjr’s bitcoins, leading to a substantial loss.
Investigation Details
The specifics of the FBI’s inquiry remain undisclosed, with Schmidt clarifying his limited knowledge of the investigation’s focus—whether on a particular suspect or as part of a broader information-gathering effort. Since complying with the subpoena, Schmidt has had no further contact with the FBI and refrained from commenting on the investigation’s details.
The Hack’s Impact
In December 2022, Dashjr announced the theft of over 200 BTC due to a compromise of his Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) key, amounting to an estimated loss of $3.3 million at the time. The value of the stolen Bitcoin has since escalated, emphasizing the significant financial impact of the hack.
As the FBI delves into the case, the Bitcoin community watches closely, awaiting developments in an incident that underscores the ongoing security challenges within the cryptocurrency space.
