Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00174
The holder had no ability to access or protect their BTC during the seizure period.
SurvivesCase description
A Bitcoin holder whose phone was seized at customs during international travel in August 2014 had no secondary access to their wallet. The phone was held for examination for 21 days. The holder had no ability to access or protect their BTC during the seizure period. The phone and wallet were returned intact but the incident revealed the custody fragility.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Forced relocation |
| Custody system | Mobile or software wallet |
| Outcome | Survives |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2014 |
| Country | Unknown |
Structural dependencies observed
Outcome interpretation
Access remained possible under the reported conditions.
Source
Publicly Reported
Evidence type
Forum post
Related cases involving forced relocation
91 cases involve forced relocation
572 cases involve mobile or software wallet
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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.
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