Bitcoin Adviser FAQ
This FAQ gives clients, families, heirs, and professional partners one reference point. Use it alongside your vault documentation and estate planning playbooks to keep everyone aligned.
Quick Read
- Share links to a specific question to reduce back-and-forth.
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- Pair this FAQ with Education & Advisory or Collaborative Security for hands-on setup.
Bitcoin Basics
1 What is the difference between Bitcoin and the Bitcoin network?
Bitcoin (BTC) is the asset; the Bitcoin network is the global settlement system that moves it.
BTC is the native unit that can be held and transferred. The network is the protocol that orders transactions, prevents double-spends, and enforces the monetary rules.
- Ownership is proven by control of private keys.
- No bank account holds BTC on your behalf unless you choose a custodian.
- Security improves when key management removes single points of failure.
2 Why self-custody instead of leaving coins on an exchange?
Because exchanges introduce counterparty risk: if they fail, freeze, or get hacked, your Bitcoin can be trapped or lost.
Exchanges are useful for buying and selling, but long-term storage is a different job. Self-custodyβespecially with collaborative securityβkeeps control with you while adding redundancy.
- Reduces dependence on account access, policies, and solvency.
- Removes single-device / single-person failure modes.
- Pairs naturally with inheritance planning.
3 How does price volatility affect long-term holders?
Volatility is normal; long-term planning focuses on time horizon, liquidity needs, and operational discipline.
Bitcoinβs supply schedule is fixed, but market pricing can swing. The practical solution is to design a plan that doesnβt force decisions during stress.
- Maintain a liquidity buffer for near-term needs.
- Set decision rules in advance (not during drawdowns).
- Focus on custody, documentation, and continuity.
Collaborative Security
4 What is collaborative security?
Collaborative security uses a multisignature (multisig) vault so no single person, device, or company can move funds alone.
A common structure is 2-of-3 multisig: three keys exist, and any two are required to approve a transaction. This reduces βsingle point of failureβ risk while keeping you in control of day-to-day decisions.
- Protects against device loss, mistakes, and many common attack paths.
- Improves continuity for families and institutions.
- Pairs with documented recovery steps for heirs and fiduciaries.
5 Who are the vault partners?
6 What happens if one key holder is unavailable?
A properly designed multisig vault remains operable if one signer is unavailable.
The point of multisig is resilience. Your documentation should define which parties can co-sign under which conditions, and how identity and intent are verified.
- Use redundancy across people, devices, and locations.
- Define escalation paths (routine vs. emergency).
- Keep documentation current when roles change.
7 How often do we run walkthroughs?
As neededβtypically when something changes, or when you want extra confidence.
Common triggers include: adding a signer, changing hardware, large life events, or simply wanting a refresher on recovery steps.
Estate & Inheritance
8 How do heirs start the recovery process?
Heirs follow a written playbook: who to contact, what to verify, and how to execute recovery steps safely.
We help families document a clear contact tree and recovery steps so no one is guessing under stress. The process depends on your legal and fiduciary structure and your vault configuration.
- Use plain-language instructions (not βtechnical riddlesβ).
- Separate βwhere things areβ from βhow to use themβ safely.
- Keep beneficiary contact details and roles updated.
9 What documents should be in place?
Your legal documents should align with your custody reality: who can authorise actions, and how Bitcoin is recovered and distributed.
We recommend working with your attorney to ensure wills, trusts, fiduciary roles, and letters of instruction correctly reference your vault operations and recovery plan.
- Wills / trusts that reflect roles and authority.
- Letters of instruction for practical steps.
- Corporate entities may require board resolutions and policy documents.
10 How do you handle beneficiaries under 18 or those unfamiliar with Bitcoin?
We design staged responsibility, clear roles, and education so beneficiaries can act competently when needed.
This can involve guardians/co-trustees, delayed access, and structured education so competence is built before any triggering event.
11 Do we involve our own advisers and attorneys?
Yesβyour legal, tax, and financial professionals should be part of the plan.
We provide the technical and operational context so your professionals can draft documents that match how Bitcoin custody actually works.
Retirement Planning
12 How does collaborative security work with retirement accounts?
It can integrate with retirement structures when roles, approvals, and record-keeping are designed correctly for your jurisdiction.
We provide education and operational support for custody setup and documentation, and we coordinate with your chosen custodian/administrator and licensed professionals as needed.
- US: self-directed IRA workflows depend on your custodianβs requirements.
- Australia: SMSF handling must align with trustee and audit requirements.
- Documentation matters as much as key setup.
13 What retirement structures do you support?
We commonly support self-directed IRAs (US) and SMSFs (Australia), and help map cross-border considerations for global families.
Exact eligibility, custodians, and reporting obligations vary. We focus on making the custody and documentation layer robust.
14 How do fees work for retirement accounts?
Fees are calculated per vault based on average balance over a 90-day period and invoiced in arrears.
The fee schedule may step down over time. See the pricing page for the latest detail and examples.
15 Do you provide tax, legal, or investment advice for retirement accounts?
No. We provide education and operational support for Bitcoin custody and documentation.
You should consult licensed professionals for tax, legal, and investment decisions, and choose appropriate custodians/administrators for your jurisdiction.
Pricing & Fees
16 What is your fee structure?
We use a simple annual fee model that is calculated per vault and billed on a 90-day cycle.
The fee schedule can decrease over time (aligned to long-term stewardship). The pricing page contains the current schedule, examples, and terms.
17 What if my holdings are small?
We aim to keep billing simple and proportional, and smaller holdings often invest time in setup rather than large fees.
See the pricing page for the minimum invoicing threshold and how average-balance billing works.
18 How does this compare to exchange custody?
Exchange custody can appear convenient, but it concentrates counterparty risk.
Collaborative security is designed to reduce catastrophic failure modes (single company, single login, single device) while keeping you in control.
19 Whatβs included in the fee?
Custody design, multisig operations support, documentation, and advisory access that keeps the system maintainable over time.
Inclusions vary by client complexity. The pricing page summarises whatβs covered, and onboarding clarifies your exact scope.
Operations & Support
20 What support channels can clients use?
Youβll have a clear point of contact and escalation paths for urgent issues.
We aim to respond quickly to time-sensitive matters and keep routine questions efficient via documentation and scheduled sessions.
21 How do we onboard a new signer?
We run a guided session: device setup, signing workflow, and a small test transaction where appropriate.
Then we update the written playbook so everyone knows who holds which role and how to reach them.
22 Can we integrate hardware wallets we already use?
Often yesβsubject to compatibility, security posture, and the vault partnerβs support model.
Weβll confirm your device choices during onboarding and recommend upgrades if your risk profile warrants it.
23 What happens if a device is lost?
A multisig vault is designed so one lost device does not equal lost Bitcoin.
We follow an incident workflow: verify identity, assess exposure, provision a replacement key, and update documentation and backups accordingly.
24 How does invoice payment work?
Invoice payment is a standard multisig transaction: you approve from your wallet and we co-sign to complete it.
Youβll receive an invoice for the relevant billing period. Payment is made in Bitcoin from the vault (or per your agreed process) and can be verified on-chain.
25 How can I track and verify my Bitcoin transactions?
Use a block explorer (for example, mempool.space) and search your transaction ID (TXID).
Youβll see confirmations, fees, and current status. When helpful, we share direct explorer links so you can verify exactly what weβre seeing.
26 How do I make a withdrawal from my vault?
You initiate the withdrawal and sign; the second required signer co-signs after the relevant checks are satisfied.
For larger withdrawals, itβs sensible to add an additional confirmation step to reduce mistakes and fraud risk. If you have a time-sensitive need, notify your adviser early so it can be handled safely.
- Signing and tracking protocols β
- If urgent: email your adviser and copy sign@thebitcoinadviser.com
27 How do I consolidate UTXOs if my vault structure needs attention?
A common method is a βsend-to-selfβ consolidation: you send the vault balance back to your own vault to merge many smaller UTXOs into one.
UTXO management is a tradeoff between fees, privacy, and operational readiness. Weβll advise on timing and structure based on your vault and your transaction patterns.
28 How do I secure my email and online accounts?
Enable strong 2FA everywhere, and treat email as a high-value control plane.
If someone controls your email, they may be able to reset other accounts. Hardware security keys (like YubiKey) are typically the strongest defense against phishing.
Onboarding & Setup
29 How long does the onboarding process take?
Most clients complete onboarding in one to two adviser sessions once hardware is ready.
Transfer timing varies by exchange/custodian procedures and bank rails. Your adviser will map the fastest safe path.
30 What is Theya wallet and why do you use it?
Theya is a multisig wallet platform we commonly use because it reduces complexity for long-term holders.
It supports collaborative vault workflows and can be operated on iOS and web, which helps families and stakeholders participate without turning custody into an IT project.
31 What do I need before my onboarding call?
A signing device, secure email access, and a screen for guided setup.
We recommend enabling strong 2FA (ideally a hardware security key) on email and critical accounts before onboarding.
32 Can I use my existing hardware wallet?
Often yesβif it meets security standards and works with the chosen multisig platform.
Weβll confirm compatibility and guide configuration during onboarding.
For Professionals
33 How do advisers collaborate with The Bitcoin Adviser?
We provide custody operations depth, documentation, and education while you retain the client relationship.
Collaboration can include co-branded education, joint planning sessions, and clearly defined responsibilities.
34 Can legal teams get training on collaborative security?
Yesβattorneys, trustees, and corporate counsel can receive training so documents match technical reality.
This reduces the risk of βpaper plansβ that canβt be executed when it matters.
35 Do you support institutional governance requirements?
Yesβmulti-party approval policies, documentation, and operational workflows can be designed for institutions.
Exact requirements vary by entity, jurisdiction, and internal controls.
Referral Opportunities
36 How do referral partnerships work with mortgage brokers?
If your clients need Bitcoin custody and inheritance support, we can provide the specialist layer while you strengthen the relationship.
We provide the operational and technical depth for collaborative security, documentation, and ongoing support. Referral terms are described in the referral programme.
37 What about real estate professionals?
We support clients who hold Bitcoin alongside real estate and want their custody and estate plan to match reality.
Referral partnerships can help you offer a more complete wealth continuity solution.
38 How do I become a referral partner?
Contact us to discuss fit, process, and referral resources.
Weβll provide training materials and an introduction workflow so you can refer confidently.
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.