FAQ | The Bitcoin Adviser
Knowledge Base

Bitcoin Adviser FAQ

This FAQ gives clients, heirs, and professional partners one reference point. Use it alongside collaborative security documentation and estate planning playbooks to keep everyone aligned.

01

Bitcoin Basics

Q1 What is the difference between Bitcoin and Bitcoin the network?

Bitcoin (BTC) is the native asset that moves across the Bitcoin network. The network is a global protocol that timestamps transactions and ensures no one can spend the same coin twice. Holders secure BTC by controlling private keys—nothing is stored in a bank account or brokerage.

Q2 Why should I self-custody instead of leaving coins on an exchange?

Exchanges are useful for price discovery but commonly fail through hacks, insolvency, or account freezes. Self-custody, especially with collaborative security, ensures you control your Bitcoin regardless of exchange solvency or policy changes.

Q3 How does price volatility affect long-term holders?

Bitcoin’s supply schedule is fixed. Volatility typically compresses as adoption widens, but price swings remain normal. We plan around multi-year horizons and liquidity needs so short-term movements do not disrupt your strategy.

02

Collaborative Security

Q4 What is collaborative security?

Collaborative security uses a multisignature vault with three or more key holders. Two signatures are required to move funds, so no single person can compromise the Bitcoin. You retain day-to-day control while The Bitcoin Adviser and a vault partner provide redundancy.

Q5 Who are the vault partners?

We work with Theya and Unchained, both of which provide institutional-grade infrastructure, audits, and distributed vault operations. We evaluate partner fit during onboarding.

Q6 What happens if one key holder is unavailable?

We build redundancy into the vault. If a signer is unavailable, the remaining two can approve a transaction after verifying identity through documented procedures. We also maintain sealed backup keys in geographically diverse, tamper-evident vaults.

Q7 How often do we run walkthroughs?

We schedule orientation sessions when there’s a good reason—new signers, major life events, hardware changes, or whenever you’d simply like a refresher. No automatic calendar required.

03

Estate & Inheritance

Q8 How do heirs start the recovery process?

The family receives a recovery binder with a plain-language checklist and contact tree. They contact The Bitcoin Adviser or the designated fiduciary to initiate the process. We verify identity, coordinate with the vault partner, and walk heirs through the steps.

Q9 What documents should be in place?

We recommend wills or trusts that reference the collaborative vault, letters of instruction, and memorandums describing asset distribution. For corporate entities, add board resolutions or custodian agreements that mirror the vault policies.

Q10 How do we handle beneficiaries under 18 or those unfamiliar with Bitcoin?

We assign knowledgeable guardians or co-trustees, create staged release plans, and provide education modules tailored to each beneficiary. Introducing collaborative security early gives everyone time to gain competence before any event occurs.

Q11 Do we involve our own advisers and attorneys?

Yes. We work alongside your professional team, provide technical documentation, and integrate their requirements into the playbook. This keeps the plan compliant across jurisdictions and consistent with your broader estate strategy.

04

Operations & Support

Q12 What support channels can clients use?

Clients receive a dedicated adviser, encrypted communication channels, and 24/7 emergency escalation paths. We respond to critical requests within two hours and schedule proactive briefings each quarter.

Q13 How do we onboard a new signer?

We run a guided session covering device setup, security posture, and approval workflows. The new signer completes a small walkthrough transaction, and we update the documentation so all parties know how to reach them.

Q14 Can we integrate hardware wallets we already use?

Yes, provided they meet security standards and compatibility requirements. We support multiple hardware vendors and can recommend upgrades when necessary.

Q15 What happens if a device is lost?

Because the vault requires two signatures, losing one device does not stop operations. We follow the incident response plan: verify identity, revoke the compromised device, provision a replacement, and update backups.

05

For Professionals

Q16 How do advisers collaborate with The Bitcoin Adviser?

We offer co-branded education, joint client planning, and service level agreements that define responsibilities. Advisers maintain client relationships while we provide technical depth and custody operations.

Q17 Can legal teams get training on collaborative security?

Yes. Our Education & Advisory programmes include dedicated tracks for attorneys, trustees, and corporate counsel to ensure documents align with technical reality.

Q18 Do you support institutional governance requirements?

We implement multi-layer approval policies, detailed audit trails, and reporting aligned with institutional compliance. Our team can integrate with treasury management workflows and board governance processes.

Need More Than An FAQ?

Schedule a session with our advisory team to customise training, audit your current custody posture, or walk through recovery with your stakeholders.