Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00044
Physical coercion — exchange custody (2013)
BlockedCase description
As Bitcoin prices rose through early 2013, documented cases of Bitcoin holders being physically coerced into transferring funds increased. A forum-reported 2013 case involved a LocalBitcoins seller who was followed from a trade, detained, and forced to transfer their full wallet balance at gunpoint. No recovery was possible.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Physical coercion |
| Custody system | Exchange custody |
| Outcome | Blocked |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2013 |
| Country | United States |
Structural dependencies observed
What this illustrates
There was only one way in. When that path was gone, so was access. Access was not recoverable.
Outcome interpretation
Access was not possible under the reported conditions.
Source
Publicly Reported
Evidence type
Forum post
Evidence link
Related cases involving physical coercion
This archive documents observed custody survivability failures. It does not attempt to document all Bitcoin losses or security incidents.
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Framework references
Where Bitcoin Custody Intersects Legal and Fiduciary Authority
Where custody creates gaps in estate planning, fiduciary duty, and professional responsibility.
Professional Scope Boundary Matrix
What each professional or product covers, what they do not, and where gaps form between them.
The Independent Assessment Layer in Bitcoin Custody
How independent diagnostic layers emerge when multiple parties depend on shared infrastructure.
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