Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-00790
Institutional lockout — exchange custody (2020)
SurvivesCase description
On 16 October 2020 OKEx suspended all cryptocurrency withdrawals for five weeks after a key holder — one of several required for cold wallet transactions — was taken in for questioning by Chinese police in connection with a separate investigation. The single detained individual held keys that were required for all cold wallet transactions. Customers could not withdraw any assets during this period.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Vendor lockout |
| Custody system | Exchange custody |
| Outcome | Survives |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2020 |
| Country | Malta |
Structural dependencies observed
Outcome interpretation
Access remained possible under the reported conditions.
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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