Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00638
Seed phrase unavailable — hardware wallet 2019
SurvivesCase description
A user who had stored their seed phrase in a safety deposit box emigrated and closed their domestic bank account in February 2019. The bank sent contents of the safety deposit box to the last known address, which was the user's old address. The forwarding address had not been updated. The envelope was returned to the bank and held in a dead letter office.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Seed phrase unavailable |
| Custody system | Hardware wallet (single key) |
| Outcome | Survives |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2019 |
| Country | Unknown |
Structural dependencies observed
Outcome interpretation
Access remained possible under the reported conditions.
Source
Publicly Reported
Evidence type
Forum post
Evidence link
Related cases involving seed phrase unavailable
146 cases involve seed phrase unavailable
274 cases involve hardware wallet (single key)
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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.