Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00942
Sanctions lockout — exchange custody (2022)
IndeterminateCase description
Ukrainian citizens who had crypto on exchanges based in Russia or operated by Russian entities faced access constraints following the invasion and subsequent sanctions. Some Ukrainian users reported difficulty withdrawing from exchanges that had suspended operations in the conflict zone or were subject to retaliatory Russian regulatory actions. The conflict created a situation in which geographic location—a factor users had not anticipated as custody-relevant—became determinative of access.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Forced relocation |
| Custody system | Exchange custody |
| Outcome | Indeterminate |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2022 |
| Country | Ukraine |
Structural dependencies observed
What this illustrates
Before anyone could access the funds, a legal process had to be completed first. It's not clear whether anyone ever regained access.
Outcome interpretation
Not enough information is available to determine the outcome.
Source
Publicly Reported
Evidence type
News article
Related cases involving forced relocation
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