Forced relocation — software wallet (2017)

Survives

Case description

A Venezuelan Bitcoin holder attempting to relocate to Argentina in April 2017 had their phone seized at the Venezuelan border by security officials. The phone contained their primary wallet. They had memorised their seed phrase and used it to restore funds on a new device in Argentina, but access was interrupted for two weeks.

Custody context

Stress condition	Forced relocation
Custody system	Mobile or software wallet
Outcome	Survives
Documentation	Unknown
Year observed	2017
Country	Venezuela

Structural dependencies observed

Hardware device requiredLegal process required

Outcome interpretation

Access remained possible under the reported conditions.

Source

Publicly Reported

Evidence type

Forum post

Evidence link

https://medium.com/@wayne_huang/rsa-2015-panel-bitcoin-s-future-threats-expert-s-roundtable-based-on-150-case-studies-92cc35e68e30

Related cases involving forced relocation

91 cases involve forced relocation 572 cases involve mobile or software wallet View archive statistics →

This archive documents observed custody survivability failures. It does not attempt to document all Bitcoin losses or security incidents. Submit a case

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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.