Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00976
An elderly Bitcoin holder was diagnosed with dementia in November 2021.
SurvivesCase description
An elderly Bitcoin holder was diagnosed with dementia in November 2021. Their family sought to take over management of their accounts. The process of obtaining lasting power of attorney, having it recognised by each exchange, and completing their identity verification requirements took six months. During that time, no transactions could be authorised.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Owner incapacity |
| Custody system | Exchange custody |
| Outcome | Survives |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2021 |
| 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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