Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00997
Owner incapacity — Coinbase (2022)
SurvivesCase description
An incapacitated Bitcoin holder's family presented a durable power of attorney to Coinbase in 2022 seeking access on behalf of their family member. Coinbase's process for POA-based access required submission of the original notarized POA, evidence of the account holder's incapacity, and the POA holder's own KYC. The process took approximately six weeks. During this period, the Bitcoin price declined significantly, and the family had no ability to transact or protect the value despite being legally authorized to do so.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Owner incapacity |
| Custody system | Exchange custody |
| Outcome | Survives |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2022 |
| Country | United States |
Structural dependencies observed
Outcome interpretation
Access remained possible under the reported conditions.
Source
Publicly Reported
Evidence type
News article
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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