Seed phrase unavailable — software wallet 2013

Blocked

Case description

A user running Bitcoin-Qt before HD wallet standards generated new addresses regularly for each transaction without making fresh backups. In 2013 the wallet.dat file from 2012 was restored but it did not contain private keys for addresses generated after the backup date. Coins in those addresses were unrecoverable.

Custody context

Stress condition	Seed phrase unavailable
Custody system	Mobile or software wallet
Outcome	Blocked
Documentation	Unknown
Year observed	2013
Country	Unknown

Structural dependencies observed

Hardware device requiredUndocumented procedure

What this illustrates

The wallet existed only on that device. When the device became inaccessible, there was no other way back in. Access was not recoverable.

Outcome interpretation

Access was not possible under the reported conditions.

Source

Publicly Reported

Evidence type

Forum post

Evidence link

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=22697.0

Related cases involving seed phrase unavailable

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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.