Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
Device loss
Cases in this category involve devices that were lost, destroyed, or otherwise became inaccessible. Where no independent recovery path — seed phrase, wallet backup, or documented recovery procedure — existed, access could not be recovered.
Device loss is one of the most common Bitcoin custody stress conditions in this archive. Across observed cases, the outcome depends primarily on whether an independent recovery path existed at the time of loss. Where a seed phrase or wallet backup was stored separately from the device, custody typically survived the loss event. Where no independent backup existed, access was permanently blocked.
188 observed cases
Blocked
133 (71%)
Constrained
5 (3%)
Survives
49 (26%)
Indeterminate
1 (1%)
A 2025 device loss case involved a Ledger Nano X that was left behind in a hotel room.
Hardware wallet (single key)
A 2025 device loss case involved a Ledger Nano X that was left behind in a hotel room. The holder's seed phrase was documented at home. The holder contacted the
Border confiscation — Bitbox02 (2025)
Hardware wallet (single key)
A 2025 case involved a Bitbox02 hardware wallet that was confiscated by customs authorities in a South American country where the holder was attempting to trave
Hidden wallet discovered — Trezor Safe 3 (2025)
Hardware wallet (single key)
A 2025 device loss case involved a Trezor Safe 3 hardware wallet that was stolen from a checked bag during international travel. The holder had their 12-word se
The PIN-protected device could not be used by the thief without the PIN.
Hardware wallet (single key)
A Bitcoin holder reported in 2024 that their Ledger Nano S had been stolen in a burglary along with their laptop. The PIN-protected device could not be used by
Device discarded — hardware wallet (2024)
Hardware wallet (single key)
On 3 December 2024, the Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre heard James Howells's claim against Newport City Council over the right to excavate the Docksway
Device lost — Ledger Nano X (2024)
Hardware wallet (single key)
A 2024 case involved a Ledger Nano X that had been sent for electronics recycling by a family member who didn't recognise it as a Bitcoin wallet. The holder's s
Device lost — Trezor (2024)
Hardware wallet (single key)
A 2024 case involved a traveller whose luggage—including a Trezor Model One hardware wallet—was lost by an airline. The holder had their seed phrase documented
Destroyed in flood — Coldcard (2024)
Hardware wallet (single key)
A 2024 flood in Central Europe destroyed the home of a Bitcoin holder, including their Coldcard hardware wallet and the paper seed phrase backup that had been s
Destroyed in flood — Ledger Nano S (2023)
Hardware wallet (single key)
A hardware wallet user in 2023 discovered their Ledger Nano S had been damaged by a household flood. The device was non-functional. The owner had written the se
Device lost — hardware wallet 2023
Hardware wallet (single key)
A user who had purchased a hardware wallet in 2019 reported in 2023 that the device had been stolen in a home burglary. The thief had access to both the hardwar
The holder was eventually able to recover the device after three weeks through a formal
Hardware wallet (single key)
A Bitcoin holder reported in 2023 that their Trezor One had been seized by customs officials at an international border as part of a search. The customs officia
Device lost — Ledger Nano X (2023)
Hardware wallet (single key)
A hardware wallet owner reported in 2023 that their Ledger Nano X had malfunctioned and displayed a corrupted firmware screen, refusing to complete the boot seq
Ledger and Trezor both reported record sales in the second half of 2022.
Hardware wallet (single key)
In the wake of the 2022 exchange collapses, self-custody hardware wallet sales surged significantly. Ledger and Trezor both reported record sales in the second
During the approximately ten days between the device being damaged and the replacement
Hardware wallet (single key)
A hardware wallet was damaged beyond repair in a house move when a packing box containing electronic devices was crushed. The owner had the seed phrase secured
Device lost — hardware wallet 2022
Hardware wallet (single key)
A documented pattern in 2022 hardware wallet support cases involved users who had correctly recorded their seed phrase, lost or damaged the device, and successf
Device lost — hardware wallet (2022)
Hardware wallet (single key)
A Ledger Nano hardware wallet was lost in transit during international shipping in early 2022. The owner had the seed phrase and was able to restore the wallet
Their employer terminated their access and had security escort them from the building
Hardware wallet (single key)
A user had stored their hardware wallet in a fireproof lockbox at their office. In December 2021 their employer terminated their access and had security escort
A user's laptop was confiscated as part of a divorce proceeding in December 2021.
Mobile or software wallet
A user's laptop was confiscated as part of a divorce proceeding in December 2021. The estranged spouse's attorney obtained a court order for access to the devic
Device lost — software wallet 2021
Mobile or software wallet
A Bitcoin holder was detained at an airport in November 2021 and their devices were searched by border officials. During the search, a customs officer accidenta
Device lost — software wallet 2021
Mobile or software wallet
A Bitcoin holder who had accumulated coins during the 2020 bull run found in January 2021 that their phone had been reset to factory defaults after being traded
In the chaos of the move they misplaced a USB drive containing a wallet backup.
Mobile or software wallet
A Bitcoin holder's house was demolished as part of an urban development project in February 2021. They had 30 days to vacate. In the chaos of the move they misp
The attacker used the captured PIN to drain the wallet remotely.
Hardware wallet (single key)
A Ledger user found in March 2021 that their hardware wallet had been targeted by a supply-chain attack. The device received had been modified before delivery t
Device lost — software wallet 2021
Mobile or software wallet
A user who stored their Bitcoin wallet exclusively on a Chromebook found in April 2021 that Google had remotely wiped the device following a policy change regar
A Bitcoin investor's vehicle was broken into in May 2021.
Mobile or software wallet
A Bitcoin investor's vehicle was broken into in May 2021. Their laptop was in the car. The laptop contained an Electrum wallet. The laptop had been left unlocke
Device lost — software wallet (2021)
Mobile or software wallet
A Bitcoin developer lost their primary development laptop in a coffee shop in November 2021. The laptop contained a test wallet with real funds. The finder retu
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