We frequently encounter clients who face the daunting challenge of accessing digital assets left behind by loved ones. One recent case stands out: a client’s sister had tragically passed away, leaving behind significant Bitcoin holdings and what appeared to be a couple of hardware wallets.

The client approached us with very limited information. They knew that their sister had invested in Bitcoin early, but her records were fragmented. Among her belongings, we found several electronic devices including a Trezor Model One, a Ledger wallet, and her smartphone. Without the PINs or recovery phrases, the task of accessing the funds was formidable.

We first focused on the Trezor. Using advanced techniques, including voltage glitching paired with a custom-built multiplexor and FPGA setup, we were able to successfully brute force the PIN and gain access to the wallet. This breakthrough provided crucial insight into her asset management practices.

With the PIN from the Trezor we were then able to access her cell phone and Ledger Wallet.

Through this combined effort, we successfully recovered all of the crypto assets stored across her devices. The recovered Bitcoin and associated holdings were ultimately transferred securely to the rightful heir.

This case underscores two important points: the complexity of modern digital inheritance and the importance of expert recovery services. Without highly specialized knowledge in secure hardware, cryptography, and forensic recovery techniques, these funds might have remained permanently inaccessible.

Shout out to Hanumankind for the sound track in this video.