Device lost — Ledger Nano X (2023)

Survives

Case description

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 sequence. The device was fully bricked. The owner had the 24-word seed phrase stored correctly and was able to restore the wallet on a new device within 48 hours. The case resolved successfully but illustrated the vulnerability window: during the period between the device bricking and obtaining a replacement, the owner had no ability to transact or verify their holdings.

Custody context

Stress condition	Device loss
Custody system	Hardware wallet (single key)
Outcome	Survives
Documentation	Unknown
Year observed	2023
Country	International

Outcome interpretation

Access remained possible under the reported conditions.

Source

Privately Reported

Evidence type

News article

Evidence link

https://btcnewsanalysis.com/2022/08/16/how-a-trezor-wallet-passphrase-taking-a-lifetime-to-brute-force-was-cracked-by-keychainx/

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

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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.