Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00412
Owner incapacity — exchange custody (2017)
SurvivesCase description
A Bitcoin holder in a long-term care facility in July 2017 had a significant exchange account. Their power of attorney had not been updated to cover digital assets after cryptocurrency exchanges became a separate legal category in their jurisdiction. The facility management could not act on their behalf for the account and the patient was unable to communicate instructions.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Owner incapacity |
| Custody system | Exchange custody |
| Outcome | Survives |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2017 |
| 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 incapacity
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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