Border confiscation — Bitbox02 (2025)

Survives

Case description

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 travel internationally. Customs officials had not seen the device before and suspected it was an unlicensed communication device. The device was retained for inspection. The holder had their seed phrase at home. Rather than wait for the lengthy customs inspection process, the holder restored their wallet to a new device using the seed phrase and moved funds to a new address as a precaution. The confiscated device was eventually returned several weeks later after being determined to be a simple storage device.

Custody context

Stress condition	Device loss
Custody system	Hardware wallet (single key)
Outcome	Survives
Documentation	Unknown
Year observed	2025
Country	International

Outcome interpretation

Access remained possible under the reported conditions.

Source

Privately Reported

Evidence type

News article

Evidence link

https://datarecovery.com/rd/crypto-inheritance-creating-a-recovery-plan-for-your-family/

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.