Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00864
One relative had emigrated, one had died, and the third denied having the envelope.
SurvivesCase description
A December 2020 estate case involves a living person who had distributed their seed phrase across three relatives for safekeeping. By December 2020 one relative had emigrated, one had died, and the third denied having the envelope. Recovery from two of three parts was computationally feasible with professional assistance.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Seed phrase unavailable |
| Custody system | Hardware wallet (single key) |
| Outcome | Survives |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2020 |
| Country | Unknown |
Structural dependencies observed
Outcome interpretation
Access remained possible under the reported conditions.
Source
Publicly Reported
Evidence type
Forum post
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.