8 February 2025
What to tell your family about your wallets
Self-custody creates a succession problem most investors postpone. A practical framework for sharing enough without sharing too much.
The hardest conversations we witness are not about markets. They are about what happens if the person who holds the keys becomes unavailable.
The two-envelope approach
Many clients adopt a structure we call the two-envelope approach:
Envelope A — Held by the investor. Contains the full archive binder with wallet inventory, backup locations, and verification log. No seed phrases.
Envelope B — Held by a trusted person or attorney. Contains a letter explaining that Envelope A exists, where it is stored, and under what conditions it should be opened. No seed phrases.
Seed phrases remain in their existing secure locations, referenced but not duplicated in either envelope.
What family members need to know
At minimum:
- That you hold self-custodied assets
- That a written archive exists
- Who to contact for help (us, your attorney, or both)
- That rushing to move funds can cause irreversible errors
What they do not need yet
- Private keys or seed phrases before an actual emergency
- Wallet addresses or balance amounts, unless you choose to share them
- Access to your hardware devices
Starting the conversation
Schedule a neutral time. Bring the archive binder if you have one. Explain that the goal is preparedness, not alarm. Most families respond with relief once they understand a plan exists.
We offer archive sessions that include a family briefing segment. Learn more.