Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00175
AWS retired the specific HSM service used, without the escrow operator having prepared
SurvivesCase description
A Bitcoin escrow service operating in 2014 used a 2-of-3 multisig where one key was held by an Amazon Web Services HSM. In August 2014 AWS retired the specific HSM service used, without the escrow operator having prepared a migration plan. The operator's key in that service became inaccessible. They could still use the other two keys, but only after an emergency recovery procedure that took three weeks.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Multisig quorum failure |
| Custody system | Exchange custody |
| 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
Evidence link
Related cases involving multisig quorum failure
77 cases involve multisig quorum failure
512 cases involve exchange custody
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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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