Device discarded — FTX (2022)

A first-time hardware wallet user who migrated from Coinbase in November 2022—following the FTX collapse—set up a Ledger and transferred approximately 2 BTC. Days later, the user realized they had written the seed phrase on a sticky note that had been inadvertently discarded. The device PIN remained known and the device was functional, but the user understood that any device failure, theft, or loss would mean permanent loss of funds. The case was referenced by a Ledger support representative as emblematic of a widespread pattern during the November 2022 exchange-flight period.