Multisig quorum failure — 2-of-3 multisig (2018)

Survives

Case description

A Bitcoin family trust structured as a 2-of-3 multisig had one key lost when the key holder's home was destroyed in a fire. The surviving two key holders could form a quorum but one was overseas and their device's co-signing software was not compatible with the version used by the other key holder. A software upgrade was needed to restore compatibility.

Custody context

Stress condition	Multisig quorum failure
Custody system	Exchange custody
Outcome	Survives
Documentation	Unknown
Year observed	2018
Country	Unknown

Structural dependencies observed

Hardware device requiredThird-party platform dependency

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 multisig quorum failure

77 cases involve multisig quorum failure 512 cases involve exchange custody 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.