Copper Founder’s Bron Labs Helps Crypto Users Recover Lost Wallets With Guardian Approval

Copper Founder’s Bron Labs Lets Crypto Users Recover Lost Wallets With Guardian Approval

Dmitry Tokarev, the founder of Copper Technologies Ltd., has initiated a new venture, Bron Labs, designed to aid users in recovering lost cryptocurrency wallets while maintaining self-custody.

Key Takeaways:

The founder of Copper has introduced Bron Labs to assist users in wallet recovery without relinquishing asset control.
The platform uses a guardian approval method, requiring two trusted individuals to authorize any recovery attempts.
Bron Labs successfully secured $15 million in funding from investors such as LocalGlobe, Fasanara Digital, and GSR.

Bron Labs, headquartered in London, provides a self-custodial service aimed at delivering institutional-level security to everyday users.

Tokarev mentioned to Bloomberg that Bron Labs has garnered approximately $15 million in funding from around 140 investors, including notable names like LocalGlobe, Fasanara Digital, and GSR.

Bron Labs Addresses Seed Phrase Challenges with Guardian-Based Recovery

The platform is particularly beneficial for professionals and executives seeking the same security measures as major financial institutions, but at a more affordable price.

One of the significant issues Bron Labs addresses is the loss of seed phrases. Most digital wallets utilize a recovery phrase comprising 12 or 24 words that serves as a master key. Losing this phrase can result in the permanent loss of funds. To combat this, Bron Labs has established a guardian-based recovery approach.

Upon creating a wallet, users can select two trusted individuals as guardians, who must both consent to any recovery request. Once approved, a mandatory 48-hour waiting period activates before users can access their funds. This delay offers an additional layer of security against coercion or theft.

The necessity for enhanced security has escalated alongside an increase in physical attacks on cryptocurrency holders.

Data from Bitcoin advocate Jameson Lopp indicates that there have been more than 50 reported "wrench attacks," which involve criminals using violence or threats to steal cryptocurrency, marking a significant rise of over 50% since 2024.

Tokarev noted that while institutional custodians face fewer risks, there is a growing sense of fear among retail holders as “crime is on the rise, with paranoia at an all-time high.”

Tokarev, who stepped down as CEO of Copper in October 2024 but remains the largest shareholder, emphasized that Bron’s goal is to “bridge” the divide between the ease of self-custody and the security found in professional custodial services.

Bron is set to launch this week with subscription options starting at $20 per month for individuals and reaching up to $3,000 for small businesses. Early investors in the platform will receive a utility token that can offset subscription costs when held within a Bron wallet.

Additionally, Bron Labs incorporates biometric security measures and customizable transaction limits, allowing users to impose restrictions on substantial or frequent transfers to thwart potential hackers.

Dramatic Increase in Crypto-Related Physical Attacks

According to reports, the rising number of physical attacks targeting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency holders is serious and concerning. This information comes from new data tracked by CASA co-founder Jameson Lopp.

Since late February, there have been 35 new violent incidents reported worldwide, reflecting a staggering increase of 169% within just six and a half months. This trend is particularly alarming as cryptocurrency markets continue to experience bullish momentum.

To date, a total of 48 attacks have taken place in 2025, which shows a 33% rise as compared to all incidents recorded in 2024. France has reported 14 of the incidents this year alone.

Among the most alarming cases occurred on September 6 in Cambridge, Canada, where a young man was kidnapped at gunpoint and compelled to transfer funds into a cryptocurrency wallet.