I recently came across a case that made me feel it’s necessary to once again emphasize the importance of security for crypto assets. Kaitlyn Siragusa, a well-known internet celebrity streamer, was robbed at gunpoint in a home invasion last March. The attacker directly demanded Bitcoin. The entire process was terrifying — she was dragged out of bed, with a gun pointed at her head, forced to log into her account on her phone. She chose to post about it on X instead of calling the police because she believed that would be even more dangerous.

This is not an isolated incident. After the Kaitlyn Siragusa event, there has been a noticeable increase in similar robberies targeting crypto investors. Security experts point out several reasons behind this: first, Bitcoin’s price has been steadily rising and has now surpassed $71,000, attracting more criminals’ attention; second, many high-net-worth individuals showcase their crypto holdings on social media, inadvertently turning themselves into targets.

At the end of last year, Kaitlyn Siragusa shared a screenshot on social media showing she held over $20 million worth of BTC and ETH, and asked her followers “Should I sell?” Such public displays are common in the crypto community but clearly pose security risks. Unlike traditional financial crimes, once crypto assets are stolen, they can be transferred instantly and are very difficult to recover.

I’ve noticed that it’s not just Kaitlyn Siragusa; other well-known figures, such as the CEO of a major hardware wallet company, have also recently experienced similar incidents. This indicates that it’s not random but part of an organized crime trend. Jameson Lopp, the security lead at CASA, has long warned that as Bitcoin’s popularity and price increase, crimes targeting crypto holders will become more frequent.

For those holding large amounts of crypto assets, this is a serious warning. Do not show off your holdings publicly, and try to stay low-profile. Basic security measures like cold wallets, multi-signature setups, and diversified storage are no longer just recommendations but essentials. While Kaitlyn Siragusa was fortunate not to suffer more severe consequences, her experience reflects a growing and real threat. The security of crypto assets truly needs to be taken seriously.