Crypto Expert Weighs In on Latest Nancy Guthrie Bitcoin Developments

Renewed wallet activity reignites questions about whether kidnappers can truly hide behind cryptocurrency.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The kidnapping of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of news anchor Savannah Guthrie, has reignited scrutiny over the use of Bitcoin in ransom demands. A crypto-forensics expert says that while Bitcoin is not inherently untraceable, perpetrators often misjudge the transparency of the blockchain and the ability of investigators to follow the money trail, especially in high-profile cases.

Why it matters

The Nancy Guthrie case highlights the ongoing debate over the use of cryptocurrency in criminal activities, with experts arguing that Bitcoin's association with extortion and ransomware has fueled a misconception that funds can simply vanish into the digital ether. This case could have significant implications for how law enforcement approaches cryptocurrency-related crimes.

The details

According to Bezalel Eithan Raviv, CEO of Lionsgate Network, a crypto-forensics and recovery firm, every Bitcoin transaction creates a permanent data point that can be used to track the movement of funds. While criminals may believe Bitcoin offers anonymity, Raviv says the blockchain is highly transparent, and that modern investigations combine blockchain analysis with traditional detective work to identify patterns and clusters of wallet activity. Raviv argues that criminals often misjudge the scrutiny that follows public exposure of high-profile cases, and that the need to eventually convert cryptocurrency into fiat currency provides opportunities for intervention by authorities.

  • On January 31, Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her home in Tucson, Arizona.
  • A ransom of US$6 million (£4.4 million) has been demanded by the kidnappers.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who was kidnapped from her home in Tucson, Arizona.

Savannah Guthrie

The news anchor and daughter of Nancy Guthrie.

Bezalel Eithan Raviv

The CEO of Lionsgate Network, a crypto-forensics and recovery firm, who provided expert analysis on the use of Bitcoin in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When a wallet like this moves, it is never just a transaction. It is a signal. In some cases, it is operational, testing access, moving funds, trying to stay ahead. In others, it is noise, designed to confuse investigators and the public. But here is the reality we see every day. Criminals move. The blockchain remembers.”

— Bezalel Eithan Raviv, CEO, Lionsgate Network (hellomagazine.com)

“There is a dangerous misconception that Bitcoin is anonymous. It is not. Bitcoin is one of the most transparent financial systems ever created. Every transaction is recorded permanently. No one can edit a transaction after the fact.”

— Bezalel Eithan Raviv, CEO, Lionsgate Network (hellomagazine.com)

What’s next

The FBI has expanded the search surrounding Nancy Guthrie's home, and investigators will continue to closely monitor any further activity in the Bitcoin wallet linked to the case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in dealing with cryptocurrency-related crimes, as well as the misconceptions surrounding the anonymity of Bitcoin. While criminals may believe Bitcoin offers them protection, experts argue that the transparency of the blockchain can actually work against them, especially in high-profile cases where the scrutiny and collaboration of the broader ecosystem can help uncover crucial leads.