Multisig quorum failure — software wallet 2016

Survives

Case description

A Bitcoin foundation that used a 3-of-5 board-controlled multisig for its treasury faced a quorum failure in January 2016 when two board members resigned simultaneously following a governance dispute. The remaining three members could form a quorum but one refused to sign pending resolution of the dispute. The foundation's treasury was inaccessible for two months.

Custody context

Stress condition	Multisig quorum failure
Custody system	Mobile or software wallet
Outcome	Survives
Documentation	Unknown
Year observed	2016
Country	Unknown

Structural dependencies observed

Institutional cooperation 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 multisig quorum failure

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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.