Thread by @econoalchemist

1/21 Don't fear it, secure it.

A thread on creating a secure #Bitcoin backup with the Hodlr Disks from @hodlrswiss.

If you value permissionless money & the ability to transact without being censored then self-custody & get your bitcoin out of third party control.

2/21 This thread is the short version of a more detailed article which can be found on my blog:

econoalchemist.com/post/don-t-fea…

3/21 Covered here is unboxing, setting up, & torching the Hodlr Disks made by @hodlrswiss. In Nov. Hodlr Swiss reached out to see if I would be interested trying their new stainless steel backup. It looked really cool so I said "hell yeah!"

hodlr.swiss

4/21 The Hodlr Disks are packaged in a heavy-duty, sealed, non-transparent plastic bag. I liked this because any tampering that may have occurred en route would be made evident by un-repairable damage to the bag.

5/21 Upon opening the packaging, you will find a box which contains everything you need to use the Hodlr Disks:

1 x Marker
2 x Camera covers
1 x Set of ear plugs
5 x tamper evident seals
1 x Pencil
1 x Hodlr Disk
1 x Hex wrench
1 x Automatic punch
1 x Instruction manual

6/21 In this example, I'm demonstrating a scenario of transferring an existing backup from paper to the more secure Hodlr Disks. There are a few different formats available such as a 2 of 3 scheme, Shamir 3 of 5 scheme, and a twins scheme. This is a 1 of 1 demo.

7/21 In this video, I demonstrate how to transfer an existing 24 word Bitcoin seed phrase to the provided slip of paper. This helps to ensure that my focus is only on the first 4 letters of each word in the next step. Only the first 4 letters of each word are required.

8/21 You may have recognized that seed phrase from my previous article where I describe how to generate a private key using dice & a @COLDCARDwallet. If you are looking for a guide on how to get started from scratch, this may be helpful:

econoalchemist.com/post/don-t-tak…

9/21 Each disk has 4 rings on it. Each ring contains A-Z. The outer most ring gets letter 1, 2nd ring letter 2, 3rd ring letter 3, 4th ring letter 4. Each disk is also marked with a number 1-24 & has small circles on it that correspond to the disk number. Use the marker first.

10/21 Use the marker to indicate which letter in each ring needs to be stamped. Using the marker first allows you to double check your work before using the spring-loaded punch. Make sure to double check your work. If you made a mistake, clean the marker off with some alcohol.

11/21 Once all the letters have been marked on all the disks & the work has been double checked, it is time to stamp the letters with the spring-loaded punch. Simply put the pointy end on the desired letter & apply pressure until the spring releases & marks the disk.

12/21 The marker can be cleaned off with alcohol. Now each numerically identified disk has the first 4 letters of the corresponding seed word. The slip of paper can be burned safely after this has all been verified.

13/21 This Share-Of-Threshold is just 1-1-1, this is the 1st share of 1 piece with a threshold of 1 piece necessary to restore. Also, there are some grids on the back of the Hodlr Disks where the user can punch a unique identifier for the disks. This one was named "DEMO".

14/21 Hodlr Disks come with tamper evident stickers that are to be placed over the locking set-screw once everything is finished. There is a unique number on each sticker; so it is a good idea to notate it.

15/21 Demonstration of bringing the @hodlrswiss Hodlr Disk up to white-hot melting temperatures. Actual elapsed time was 15 minutes. Stainless steel has a melting point of roughly 2,500 °F.

16/21 How it Started: How its going:

17/21 After heating up metal moving parts like that, it is normal for them to be difficult to take apart. I ended up using a cutting disc on a grinder to split the outer ring into two pieces.

18/21 Once the outer ring was removed, the 24 disks inside were seemingly fused together. I took a small chisel and had to individually pry the disks apart. After the 12th disk the rivet broke, which made it a lot easier to get the disks apart.

19/21 Even under extreme environmental conditions, the Hodlr Disks did their job. The seed words were recoverable. These are a less labor-intensive alternative to some of the other metal backup options. Check out @hodlrswiss to learn more.

20/21 I hope this got you thinking about secure backup options, the Hodlr Disks definitely do the trick. Securing your Bitcoin backup & taking the necessary steps to self-custody is easy. Products like the Hodlr Disks help.

See the full details here:
econoalchemist.com/post/don-t-fea…

21/21 Considering the FinCEN Travel Rule, the best time to start taking self-custody seriously is right now. If you value permissionless money and the ability to transact without being censored then self-custody your bitcoin and get it out of 3rd party control.