Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00327
Institutional lockout — Bitfinex (2016)
ConstrainedCase description
Following Bitfinex's August 2016 hack, the US government opened investigations into whether the BFX token structure constituted an unregistered securities offering. Several US Bitfinex customers were contacted by regulators and asked to freeze their BFX token redemptions pending the inquiry. The inquiry concluded without action but caused months of additional uncertainty.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Vendor lockout |
| Custody system | Exchange custody |
| Outcome | Constrained |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2016 |
| Country | United States |
Structural dependencies observed
What this illustrates
Before anyone could access the funds, a legal process had to be completed first. 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
News article
Evidence link
Related cases involving vendor lockout
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.
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