Programmer Stefan Thomas Holds 7,002 Bitcoin in Locked IronKey, Only 2 Password Attempts Remain

According to Odaily, programmer Stefan Thomas holds 7,002 Bitcoin in an encrypted IronKey USB device that is now locked after 8 failed password attempts, leaving only 2 remaining tries. The IronKey is configured to permanently delete its contents after 10 incorrect password entries. Kingston, the device manufacturer, confirmed there is no backup password or alternative recovery method beyond the original password set by the user. At current valuations around $111,000 per Bitcoin, the holdings are worth approximately $777 million. The private keys came from Thomas's 2011 Bitcoin educational video compensation.

Thomas has sought assistance from digital forensics firm Naxo and security researcher Chris Tarnovsky. As of late 2025, the encrypted drive remains stored in a Swiss vault, with recovery status unconfirmed as of mid-2026.