Norway’s largest crypto investors have found themselves in the spotlight as their personal details were recently revealed by the Norwegian news site TV2. These investors hold tens of millions of dollars worth of assets, as tracked by Norway’s publicly visible tax return system. At the top of the list are Terje Øvrehus, Kristoffer Daniel Norambuena, and Alexander Leonard Larsen, with assets totaling $32.7 million, $28.8 million, and $28 million respectively. Interestingly, their declared incomes do not match their wealth, with Øvrehus earning $57,000, Norambuena reporting $0, and Larsen having an income of $1.3 million.
Norway’s public tax ledger is accessible to anyone seeking to view an individual’s tax returns. This transparent tax system has been in place since the 1800s but became more accessible with the rise of the internet. While the search for tax returns used to be anonymous, a notification system was introduced in 2014 to reveal who was viewing the information. However, the media in Norway can reportedly view returns without notifying the individual. This has raised concerns among crypto investors, as Bitcoin influencer @Hodlonaut called it “completely insane” and warned that it could put a target on the backs of these wealthy individuals.
Despite Norway’s reputation for low crime rates, the crypto community is still wary of potential in-person robberies targeting investors. In a recent case, a man from the US was convicted of leading a criminal crew that violently targeted and robbed the homes of crypto owners. Another incident in 2019 involved armed thieves attempting to steal from a Norwegian bitcoin millionaire living in Oslo, who managed to escape by jumping from his balcony. The threat of physical robberies adds an additional layer of risk to crypto investors in Norway.
The exposure of wealthy crypto investors’ personal details has sparked outrage within the community, with podcast host and Bitcoin supporter Peter McCormack describing the situation as “nuts.” This breach of privacy has raised concerns about the safety and security of these individuals, as their financial information is now exposed to the public. The potential risk of targeted attacks or robberies is a major worry for investors who now find themselves on a “hit list” due to the public disclosure of their assets and incomes.
As the crypto industry continues to evolve and attract more investors, the need for enhanced security measures becomes increasingly important. The incident in Norway serves as a reminder of the risks involved in holding significant wealth in the digital asset space. While transparency is important in financial matters, the exposure of personal details without consent raises ethical and safety concerns for those involved. As the crypto market grows, it is essential for investors to prioritize their privacy and security to protect themselves from potential threats.
