Governance-Controlled Bitcoin Security Built for Inheritance
Collaborative Security is our three-party operating model built on standard 2-of-3 multisig. It eliminates unilateral control while keeping you in charge of every spend. We combine robust technical controls with documented recovery and inheritance readiness so your Bitcoin remains secure and usable through life events, personnel change, and generational transition.
Important: This is not a custodian and not an exchange. You maintain full control of your keys and Bitcoin at all times.
Quick Read
- No unilateral control: no one, not you, not us, not the platform, can move funds alone.
- You initiate: you trigger transactions; we only co-sign after your authorization.
- Inheritance-ready: an Estate Plan Protocol (EPP) turns “keys” into an actionable recovery process.
- Operational support: optional reviews, key health checks, rehearsals, and incident response.
- Built for scale: individuals, families, and family offices with governance requirements.
1% annual fee, transparent terms. See pricing →
Why We Built It
Most loss events come from one of three failure modes: counterparty failure (exchanges/custodians), single-signer failure (lost key, death, incapacity), or operational ambiguity (no clear procedure under pressure). Collaborative Security reduces all three by separating duties and documenting execution.
Learn more: Exchange failure case study | Collaborative custody (Grokipedia) | Smartest Person Failure Mode
Services for Bitcoin Self-Custody and Inheritance Planning
Collaborative Security provides both professional Bitcoin self-custody and comprehensive inheritance planning in one integrated solution. Unlike DIY self-custody that leaves inheritance as an afterthought, or inheritance planning without proper custody structure, collaborative security addresses both needs simultaneously.
Bitcoin Self-Custody
- You maintain full control: initiate every transaction
- Hardware wallet integration (Trezor recommended)
- 2-of-3 multisig with distributed responsibility
- Professional oversight without sacrificing sovereignty
- 24/7 incident response for lost keys or device failures
Inheritance Planning
- Documented Estate Plan Protocol (EPP) for heirs
- Beneficiary education and training programs
- Multisig architecture protects beneficiaries
- Legal coordination with wills and trusts
- Seamless transition to next generation
Why Self-Custody Needs Inheritance Planning
Self-custody alone doesn't solve inheritance challenges. Research shows that 28% of Bitcoin is lost forever due to lost private keys, forgotten passwords, death without proper planning, and technical complexity for heirs. Even technically perfect self-custody setups fail when:
- Heirs inherit seed phrases without understanding how to use them
- Single-signer custody means funds are frozen when the key holder is gone
- No documented procedures exist for beneficiaries to follow
Self-Custody Alone
- You control your keys
- No professional fees
- Requires technical expertise
- Single-signer risk (key loss = frozen funds)
- Inheritance planning is DIY
- No professional oversight
- Family must become Bitcoin experts
Collaborative Security with Inheritance
- You control your keys (2-of-3 multisig)
- 1% annual fee for professional service
- Professional handles complexity
- Multisig architecture eliminates single-signer risk
- Comprehensive inheritance planning included
- 24/7 professional oversight
- Family gets documented, simple procedures
How the Model Works
Three Independent Key Agents
- You: hold a key and initiate transactions.
- Technology partner (Theya or Unchained): vault platform and coordination layer.
- The Bitcoin Adviser: security oversight, continuity support, and co-signing under your authorization.
Two Signatures Required
- Quorum-based spending: 2-of-3 signatures are required for every spend.
- Redundancy without surrender: you retain control while distributing responsibility across multiple keys.
- Continuity by design: documented procedures keep the system executable for trustees/heirs.
Control Map (Plain English)
| Role | Holds a key? | Can initiate spends? | Can move funds alone? |
|---|---|---|---|
| You | Yes | Yes | No (needs one co-signer) |
| Technology partner (Theya/Unchained) | Yes | No | No (needs one co-signer) |
| The Bitcoin Adviser | Yes | No | No (needs one co-signer) |
Put simply: you remain sovereign, and the system stays recoverable if life happens.
Reviewed by Peter Dunworth
How a Withdrawal Works
1 · You Initiate
You initiate the transaction from your account. You always remain the originator of spending intent.
2 · Authorization & Verification
We co-sign only after your authorization. For higher-risk events (e.g., large withdrawals, address changes, unusual patterns), we may use additional verification steps.
3 · Co-Signing & Broadcast
Once authorized, the required co-signer signs and the transaction can be broadcast. You can maintain your own records and reporting for accountants, auditors, trustees, or committees.
Reasonable Safety Checks (Not Friction)
Collaborative Security is designed to prevent catastrophic outcomes without turning spending into a bureaucratic process. When additional checks are required, they are applied to the risk event (e.g., address change), not to normal day-to-day control.
Reviewed by Peter Dunworth
From Setup to Ongoing Operations
1 · Onboard
Choose a vault platform (Theya or Unchained), coordinate key creation, confirm roles, and capture key contacts for continuity planning.
2 · Operate
View balances anytime, initiate transactions when required, and maintain a clear, repeatable workflow for approvals and records.
3 · Maintain
Optional periodic reviews: key health checks, device refreshes, role updates, and rehearsals to prevent “governance drift” over time.
Why Clients Choose Collaborative Security
For You
- Eliminate single points of failure without handing control to a third party.
- Clear spending workflow: you initiate; co-signing follows your authorization.
- Built to scale from personal stacks to committee-based governance.
For Your Family & Fiduciaries
- Estate Plan Protocol (EPP) turns “keys” into an actionable recovery and inheritance process.
- Education-first approach so heirs and trustees can execute calmly and correctly.
- Reduced trustee paralysis through documentation, role clarity, and optional rehearsals.
Technical Controls
- 2-of-3 multisig with hardware isolation and distributed responsibility.
- Repeatable process for approvals and record keeping.
- Optional safety checks for higher-risk events (e.g., address changes).
- You always hold title to the Bitcoin.
Transparency & Reporting
- Reporting support for accountants, auditors, trustees, and committees.
- Plain-language terms and process before funding the vault.
- Transparent fees and terms. See pricing →
Proven Through Multiple Cycles
Zero Satoshis Lost
Operating since 2016
Global Client Base
Hundreds of families, individuals & entities
Significant Holdings
Substantial client Bitcoin secured
Whether you're an individual, a multi-generational family, or a family office committee, our goal is the same: no unilateral control, clear procedures, and survivable continuity.
What Our Clients Say
"The biggest challenge I needed to overcome in getting comfortable with self-custody of Bitcoin was the security risk. The Bitcoin Adviser sorts that in one fell swoop. Having my own personal contact to boot puts icing on the cake!"
"Self custodying my BTC with TBA's services has allowed me to feel safe for my own retirement and my family's future. Pete and Andy are the most generous of people with their time and care, always accessible."
Self-Custody That Survives Real Life
Most Bitcoin custody setups optimize for storage, not execution under stress. Collaborative Security is designed for the moments that break DIY systems: incapacity, death, loss of a device, role turnover, and family coordination under time pressure.
Common Failure Modes
- Heirs receive words or devices with no practical procedure.
- Single-signer custody freezes when the key holder is unavailable.
- Trustees/executors have legal authority but no technical control path.
- No rehearsed or documented process exists for recovery.
What We Deliver
- Documented Estate Plan Protocol (EPP) aligned to your structure.
- Beneficiary and fiduciary readiness (education + optional rehearsals).
- Role clarity and continuity planning to prevent drift over time.
- Coordination support with your legal team where relevant.
Explore the dedicated inheritance pathway: Estate Planning & Inheritance →
Bring Your Bitcoin Under Collaborative Security
If you’re on an exchange or running single-sig, we can migrate you safely. If you’re already advanced, we can harden governance, document procedures, and make inheritance executable.
Built for Serious Bitcoin Holders
Individuals & Families
- New Bitcoiners who want professional onboarding.
- Long-term holders upgrading from single-sig.
- Families who want inheritance and continuity solved properly.
Institutions & Advisors
- Family offices implementing governance-controlled systems.
- Financial advisers needing client-ready workflows.
- Law firms coordinating Bitcoin estate/trust mandates.
Common Questions
Can The Bitcoin Adviser move my Bitcoin without me?
Is this "custody" or self-custody?
What happens if I lose a device or a key?
How do you handle inheritance and trustees/executors?
Where should I start if I'm new to this?
Ready to Secure Your Bitcoin?
Book a session to tailor Collaborative Security to your portfolio, family structure, and jurisdictional requirements.
Designed with governance-controlled security — including us.
Your collaborative security framework is built for generational continuity, ensuring your Bitcoin remains secure and accessible through any transition.
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Education & Advisory
Executive briefings, family workshops, and on-call advisory for stakeholders.