Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00528
They had left a note saying 'Bitcoin for kids — see the email from Coinbase.'
SurvivesCase description
An estate case from January 2018 involved a deceased who had purchased Bitcoin during the 2017 bull run specifically as an inheritance asset for their children. They had left a note saying 'Bitcoin for kids — see the email from Coinbase.' The Coinbase account existed but was protected by 2FA tied to a phone number the estate could not access.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Owner death |
| Custody system | Mobile or software wallet |
| Outcome | Survives |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2018 |
| Country | Unknown |
Structural dependencies observed
Outcome interpretation
Access remained possible under the reported conditions.
Source
Publicly Reported
Evidence type
Forum post
Related cases involving owner death
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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