Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00771
Among items stolen was a laptop containing their primary Bitcoin Core wallet.
SurvivesCase description
A Bitcoin investor's home was broken into in January 2020. Among items stolen was a laptop containing their primary Bitcoin Core wallet. Their seed backup was stored separately and used to recover the wallet, but not before the thief had attempted to access the encrypted wallet file. The encryption had not been compromised but the recovery took two weeks.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Device loss |
| Custody system | Mobile or software wallet |
| Outcome | Survives |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2020 |
| Country | Unknown |
Structural dependencies observed
Outcome interpretation
Access remained possible under the reported conditions.
Source
Publicly Reported
Evidence type
Forum post
Evidence link
Related cases involving device loss
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.
Translate