rookiemistakes

cryptsetup luksFormat on sdx3 with default parameters over an existing partition with (I think) the same parameters but a different passphrase. Realized my mistake shortly after typing "YES" and I don't think further writes happened since.

Like mentioned in other comment, I'd def shell out a portion of the money to recover the rest but not sure where to start. Given the amount I'm hesitant to do any further operations myself with the drive (Samsung evo SSD) plugged in.

The thought has struck me (and the reason why I yanked and kept it offline) but no idea how to tell which company is worth approaching...

Last week, actually. Was a bit careless and inebriated while working on a demo and suddenly I realized I had luksFormatted the luks partition holding the only copy of keys for cryptocurrency worth ~$200k. That was a sizable fraction if my supposed net worth. Either I'm still in denial or I've risen above obsessive materialism as it doesn't affect me too much so far, though. Its just money.

Unplugged the drive and haven't touched it since but I'm not holding my hopes up.