Bitcoin has surfaced as the requested payment method in a high‑profile ransom case tied to the disappearance of NBC “Today” co‑host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, highlighting once again how cryptocurrency can intersect with real‑world crime. What happened Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing from her Tucson, Arizona home on January 31. Authorities found troubling signs at the residence, including blood on the front porch and a removed doorbell camera. In the days after her disappearance, news outlets say ransom messages demanding payment in Bitcoin were sent to media organizations. A new twist This week brought a new development: TMZ published an alleged ransom note it received that includes what the outlet described as an active Bitcoin wallet address. Unlike earlier messages that purportedly sought payment from the family, the latest note reportedly reads, “If they want the name of the individual involved then I want 1 Bitcoin to the following wallet. Time is more than relevant.” The communication appears to be from someone offering information in exchange for cryptocurrency. Why Bitcoin matters here Blockchain analysts point out that crypto can enable the rapid movement of funds across borders, which is one reason it’s frequently mentioned in ransom and extortion incidents. Ari Redbord, global head of policy at blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs, told Fox News Digital that while Bitcoin enables quick transfers, a 1‑BTC demand is relatively modest compared with the enormous sums sometimes involved in large‑scale crypto crimes. “It would get more alerting if it was $60 million or $600 million,” he said, referring to the transaction sizes that typically trigger major alerts. Law enforcement response Federal authorities are continuing their investigation. The FBI has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Savannah Guthrie has spoken publicly about the search, posting on social media: “We believe she is still out there. Bring her home.” Market snapshot At the time of reporting, Bitcoin was trading around $67,598 — the article notes this figure is nearly 47% below the $126,000 peak reported during last October’s rally. Credits Featured image: OpenArt. Chart: TradingView.com. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news