Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00360
During a period of civil unrest in April 2016 they attempted to relocate to Colombia.
SurvivesCase description
A Venezuelan Bitcoin holder in 2016 faced currency controls that made it impossible to convert BTC to bolivars through official channels. During a period of civil unrest in April 2016 they attempted to relocate to Colombia. At the border they were stopped and their phone—containing their primary wallet—was confiscated. They crossed without the device and had to rely on the seed phrase they had memorised to recover funds.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Forced relocation |
| Custody system | Mobile or software wallet |
| Outcome | Survives |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2016 |
| Country | Venezuela |
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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