Victim of CHOKEPOINT 2.0:Ethereum Is Blocking Our 3,000 ETH
Donation protected
Our 11-year Battle
For 11 years, we have been fighting to reclaim 3,000 ETH—crypto that rightfully belongs to us. The Ethereum Foundation admits we own it but refuses to help us access it.
Our main goal is not to raise donations—it is to get Vitalik Buterin and the Ethereum Foundation to return our funds. We are urging direct outreach to Vitalik to fix this now and prevent unnecessary litigation.
Ethereum’s leadership has the power to resolve this immediately by either providing our missing JSON file or transferring the ETH to a new wallet.
If Vitalik does not act, we will litigate. We should not have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees just to get what is already ours, but we are prepared to fight for justice if Ethereum continues to ignore this.
We are not just early Ethereum adopters—we are victims of Chokepoint 2.0, a systemic effort to suppress financial access and block rightful owners from reclaiming what is theirs.
Donations are a last resort, only if Vitalik refuses to act, so that we can pursue the justice we deserve
Ethereum Is Ignoring Us While Calling for Help for Others
It is deeply frustrating that Vitalik publicly calls for helping victims of FTX while ignoring our case, despite Ethereum itself acknowledging we own this wallet.
While we fully support helping those harmed by FTX, it is difficult to understand why Ethereum won’t extend the same fairness to one of its earliest supporters.
If helping victims of fraud and mismanagement is truly a priority, then why is Ethereum choosing to ignore our legitimate case?
We are NOT asking for special treatment—we are simply asking for what is rightfully ours.
If you or someone you know is connected to Vitalik through six degrees of separation, we urge you to reach out to him and encourage him to resolve this before it escalates further.
This case is not just about us. It’s about financial integrity in crypto. If Ethereum can do this to us, they can do it to anyone.
How We Lost Access – and Why Ethereum Won’t Help
In 2014, we participated in Ethereum’s Genesis Sale, believing in its potential. We followed every instruction to generate our wallet and receive the essential wallet.json file—the only way to access our ETH.
But the JSON file never arrived.
The progress bar froze while generating the file.
Ethereum had a backup system—an email recovery option—but we never received the email.
Despite multiple professional data recovery attempts, the JSON file was never saved on our system.
Ethereum has acknowledged that we own this wallet but refuses to help.
Ethereum Knows We Own This Wallet
For years, we pleaded for help. Initially, Ethereum’s team promised they had a backup and would send it to us. But when we followed up, they ignored us.
Even after hiring lawyers in Washington, D.C. and Switzerland, Ethereum’s own legal team, led by Patrick Storchenegger, admitted we are the rightful owners. At first, they offered to return our ETH (minus legal fees).
Then, everything changed.
- When we proved we had the correct password, Ethereum’s legal team suddenly reversed their position.
- They denied responsibility and refused to help us recover the wallet.json file—a file they originally admitted they had access to.
- Ethereum’s lawyer, Patrick Storchenegger, a current Ethereum Board of Trustees member, even offered a settlement—then went silent and never followed through.
At every stage, the people who could help us have been ordered not to intervene.
When Scott Taylor from 7 On Your Side tweeted about our case, he was confidentially informed that those who could have helped us were explicitly told not to.
Ethereum’s silence is a deliberate choice. This is financial suppression.
Legal Action Is Happening – Vitalik Can Still Prevent It
We have exhausted all options for Ethereum to voluntarily fix this.
If Ethereum does not return our funds, we are pursuing an international arbitration case with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Estimated legal fees: $250,000 (Ref: the cost calculation on their site)
ICC cost estimate: https://iccwbo.org/dispute-resolution-services/arbitration/costs-and-payments/cost-calculator
This is not just about us. Don't you think it is about setting a precedent for crypto accountability?
- If Ethereum can lock rightful owners out, what does that mean for decentralization?
- If they can ignore legal agreements, what does that mean for smart contract integrity?
- If they can silence journalists, what does that mean for transparency in Web3?
Vitalik can end this now. He can return our funds.
New Investment Opportunity: BTCrules.com for Sale
To further support our case and provide a unique opportunity for investors, we are now offering BTCrules.com for sale at $1 million.
With President Trump’s recent Executive Order establishing Bitcoin as a Strategic Reserve, BTCrules.com has become a high-value domain for those looking to invest in the future of Bitcoin and national economic policy.
This is a new offering—one that allows investors to support our cause while securing a valuable digital asset.
Serious inquiries only.
If you are interested in purchasing BTCrules.com, please contact us directly.
Donations Are a Last Resort – If Vitalik Does Not Act, We Will Litigate for Justice
Our main goal is for Vitalik to notice and act.
If Vitalik sees this and resolves our issue, we will not need donations.
If Ethereum continues to ignore us, we will move forward with legal action—and only then will donations be necessary to help cover legal costs.
If you want to help:
- Contact Vitalik Buterin or someone close to him and ask him to release our funds.
- Share this campaign on Twitter, Reddit, and crypto forums. The more eyes on this, the harder it is for Ethereum to ignore.
- Forward this case to Eric Trump, Elon Musk, Patrick Storchenegger, and others who support economic justice and financial freedom. We sent them a letter on 2/20/2025. (except Patrick Storchenegger) so your voice will add to the pressure and show them that this issue matters to the crypto and financial freedom community. Every message, tweet, and share helps bring awareness and pushes for action!
Donation will be utilized if Ethereum refuses to cooperate and legal action must move forward.
We hope that by making this case public, the Ethereum Board of Trustees will finally be held accountable.
Thank you for standing with us in this fight. Your support means everything.
If Ethereum continues to ignore us, we will move forward with legal action—and only then will donations be necessary to help cover legal costs.
If you want to help:
Contact Vitalik Buterin or someone close to him and ask him to release our funds.
Share this campaign on Twitter, Reddit, and crypto forums. The more eyes on this, the harder it is for Ethereum to ignore.
Forward this case to Eric Trump, Elon Musk, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and others who support economic justice and financial freedom.
Donate only if Ethereum refuses to cooperate and legal action must move forward.
We hope that by making this case public, the Ethereum Board of Trustees will finally be held accountable.
Thank you for standing with us in this fight. Your support means everything.
Our main goal is for Vitalik to notice and act.
If Vitalik sees this and resolves our issue, we will not need donations.
If Ethereum continues to ignore us, we will move forward with legal action—and only then will donations be necessary to help cover legal costs.
If you can help:
- Contact Vitalik Buterin or someone close to him and ask him to release our funds.
- Share this campaign on Twitter, Reddit, and crypto forums. The more eyes on this, the harder it is for Ethereum to ignore.
- Donate only if Ethereum refuses to cooperate and legal action must move forward.
We hope that by making this case public, the Ethereum Board of Trustees will finally be held accountable.
Thank you for standing with us in this fight. Your support means everything.
Those of you who helped us throughout the entire journey, we cannot begin to thank you!
When the story was aired, we had a lot of negative comments, such as "Rich asking for money," "Greedy people want millions." We've been requesting access to the wallet since 3,000 ETH was worth only $900. Your monetary contribution is greatly appreciated. When we get the access to our 3000 ETH, we are giving back to you! So please have your crypto wallet address ready so we can celebrate together!
Pay it Forward
People often say they want to give back to their community when they come into money. In our case, we've already experienced incredible kindness many times—the most profound being in 2016 when our home was completely destroyed by fire. Strangers stepped in, supporting us financially, emotionally, and mentally. We will never forget the love we received.
Now, we want to pay it forward and give back to our community in a meaningful way. We welcome any ideas and would love for you to be a part of this journey with us.
Our house was on fire on 7/3/2016 over 100 firemen came to the rescue. So grateful no one was hurt. (https://www.friendshipfireassoc.org/home/2016-news-archives/)
We hope that the Ethereum Board of Trustees will see this campaign and grant us the required file, which is the right thing to do.
Thank you for your love and support!
Williams Family
Organizer
Yukiko Williams
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC