Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00271
A Bitcoin holder was diagnosed with early-stage dementia in 2015.
ConstrainedCase description
A Bitcoin holder was diagnosed with early-stage dementia in 2015. Their family discovered they had BTC holdings but the holder could not reliably recall wallet locations, passphrases, or exchange account details. Some holdings were recovered through browser history; others remained inaccessible because no written record had ever been made.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Owner incapacity |
| Custody system | Mobile or software wallet |
| Outcome | Constrained |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2015 |
| Country | Unknown |
Structural dependencies observed
What this illustrates
There was only one way in. When that path was gone, so was access. 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
Forum post
Related cases involving owner incapacity
68 cases involve owner incapacity
572 cases involve mobile or software wallet
View archive statistics →
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