Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00110
Forced relocation — exchange custody (2014)
ConstrainedCase description
Russian government statements in February and April 2014 made clear that Bitcoin transactions could be prosecuted. Several Russian citizens who held BTC on international exchanges found their accounts flagged following cross-border compliance sweeps. They could neither withdraw to Russian bank accounts nor, in some cases, complete verification under their real names for fear of domestic legal consequences.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Forced relocation |
| Custody system | Exchange custody |
| Outcome | Constrained |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2014 |
| Country | Russia |
Structural dependencies observed
What this illustrates
Before anyone could access the funds, a legal process had to be completed first. Whether full access was ultimately possible is unclear, but significant delay or outside intervention was involved.
Outcome interpretation
Access remained possible, but only with delay, dependence, or significant difficulty.
Source
Publicly Reported
Evidence type
News article
Evidence link
Related cases involving forced relocation
This archive documents observed custody survivability failures. It does not attempt to document all Bitcoin losses or security incidents.
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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.