A Ledger hardware wallet user lost their device in a house move in August 2015.

Survives

Case description

A Ledger hardware wallet user lost their device in a house move in August 2015. They had the recovery seed stored separately and were able to restore their wallet to a software wallet within a week. However, the software wallet interface they used had a fee estimation bug that triggered higher-than-expected fees on the restoration transaction.

Custody context

Stress condition	Device loss
Custody system	Hardware wallet (single key)
Outcome	Survives
Documentation	Unknown
Year observed	2015
Country	Unknown

Structural dependencies observed

Hardware device required

Outcome interpretation

Access remained possible under the reported conditions.

Source

Publicly Reported

Evidence type

Forum post

Evidence link

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=255793.0

Related cases involving device loss

188 cases involve device loss 274 cases involve hardware wallet (single key) View archive statistics →

This archive documents observed custody survivability failures. It does not attempt to document all Bitcoin losses or security incidents. Submit a case

← All cases

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.