How Bitzo Works: Non-Custodial Security & Inheritance

A structured, human-led workflow for UK private clients. Architecture, verified contacts, documentation, and recovery coordination — without Bitzo ever holding keys, taking custody, or asking for seed phrases.

The five steps

1. Discovery

A 20-minute call to understand your position, your existing setup, your concerns, and who you want involved (family, executors, advisers). No commitment. Book here.

2. Architecture review

We map your current wallets, custody points, devices, and access paths. We identify single points of failure: a lost seed phrase, a broken hardware wallet, an exchange lockout, a family who cannot act. We agree the target architecture — which may be the one you already have, with documentation around it.

3. Verified contacts

Trusted people (family members, executors, professional advisers) are identity-verified through recorded calls and rotating verification codes. We document who can act, in what capacity, under what triggers. No contact ever holds your keys.

4. Documentation: the Policy Pack

A plain-language reference designed for non-technical executors and solicitors. It includes:

  • What digital assets exist (at a high level appropriate to the audience).
  • Who is verified to act, and in what role.
  • The recovery workflow for each scenario (death, incapacity, lost device, etc.).
  • Verification protocol and authority checks.
  • Evidence retention and audit trail requirements.

The Policy Pack is delivered as a versioned, immutable PDF. Updates create new versions; the audit trail is preserved.

5. Recovery rehearsal and annual review

We rehearse the workflow with verified contacts before it is needed in real life. Then we review annually — or sooner if your wallets, contacts, or the regulatory environment change.

What recovery actually looks like

When recovery is triggered (by you, a family member, an executor), Bitzo coordinates:

  • Identity verification of the requesting party (recorded video or phone call, rotating codes, document checks).
  • Authority verification against the Policy Pack and any required legal documents (e.g. grant of probate).
  • Coordination with the verified contacts who can act on the wallets.
  • Logged audit trail of every step.

Bitzo does not move the crypto. Bitzo coordinates the people who can.

What we do not do

  • We do not hold keys, seed phrases, or wallet credentials.
  • We do not provide regulated financial, legal, or tax advice.
  • We do not take custody of crypto, fiat, or any client asset.
  • We do not act as a wallet provider, exchange, or custodian.

Common questions

How long does setup take?

Typical engagements run 2–4 weeks from discovery call to delivered Policy Pack. Complex multisig or multi-jurisdiction situations take longer.

What does it cost?

See pricing for the Core Continuity, Continuity Plus, and Private Client plans. Each tier includes setup and an annual review cycle.

Can my IFA, solicitor, or accountant be involved?

Yes. Many engagements involve a professional adviser. We coordinate with them rather than replacing them. See adviser support.

What if I move wallets or change my mind later?

The annual review cycle is for exactly this. You can also trigger an update outside the annual cycle if your situation changes materially.

Related insights

Next step

Book a 20-minute discovery call. We will understand your situation and recommend a sensible starting plan, or tell you honestly if Bitzo is not the right fit.