Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00490
Gox creditor died in October 2017 before the civil rehabilitation claim process was
ConstrainedCase description
A Mt. Gox creditor died in October 2017 before the civil rehabilitation claim process was complete. The creditor's estate was unaware that the Mt. Gox claim was a transferable asset. The claim update deadline passed while probate was in progress. Months of estate administration time were lost before an attorney familiar with the case structure identified the transferable claim.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Owner death |
| Custody system | Exchange custody |
| Outcome | Constrained |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2017 |
| Country | Unknown |
Structural dependencies observed
What this illustrates
Before anyone could access the funds, a legal process had to be completed first. Whether full access was ultimately possible is unclear, but significant delay or outside intervention was involved.
Outcome interpretation
Access remained possible, but only with delay, dependence, or significant difficulty.
Source
Publicly Reported
Evidence type
News article
Evidence link
Related cases involving owner death
This archive documents observed custody survivability failures. It does not attempt to document all Bitcoin losses or security incidents.
Submit a case
← All cases
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.
Translate