who gets your bitcoin if something happens to you?
this isn't just a philosophical question—it's a technical one. in the digital asset space, "not your keys, not your coins" also means "no keys, no inheritance."
as of 2026, four primary solutions have emerged to solve the probabilistic finality of loss. we’ve audited the technical architecture, cost, and trust models of the industry leaders to help you decide where to bury your secret.
the contenders
- deadhand protocol: an open-source, non-custodial threshold protocol using shamir's secret sharing.
- casa (inheritance): a multi-signature custody service focusing on hardware wallet coordination.
- unchained capital: a financial services provider offering institutional-grade multi-sig vaults with legal inheritance support.
- sarcophagus: a decentralized dead man's switch built on ethereum and arweave.
technical side-by-side
| feature | deadhand protocol | casa | unchained | sarcophagus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| trust model | zero-trust (non-custodial) | trusted facilitator | trusted custodian | decentralized (nodes) |
| math core | shamir's secret sharing | multi-sig (2-of-3) | multi-sig (2-of-3) | inner/outer encryption |
| cost (annual) | $100 (flat) | $250 - $5,000 | variable (asset fee) | tokenized (SARCO) |
| kyc required | no | yes | yes | no |
| open source | yes | partial | no | yes |
| non-crypto use | keys, passwords, files | bitcoin only | bitcoin only | encrypted files |
1. deadhand protocol: the sovereign choice
deadhand is built for users who want zero counterparty risk. by splitting a seed phrase into 3 shards and requiring any 2 for recovery, the protocol ensures that even if the deadhand servers are destroyed, you (and your beneficiary) can recover your assets entirely offline.
- best for: sovereign individuals, privacy-conscious hnw individuals, and developers.
- the "alpha" edge: it is the only protocol in this list that is fully self-hostable and requires no identity verification.
2. casa & unchained: the institutional gatekeepers
both casa and unchained provide high-end multi-sig setups. they are incredibly secure because they require multiple hardware keys to move funds. however, they operate as legal entities that require kyc.
- best for: users who want a legal "hand-holding" experience and are comfortable with identity verification.
- the tradeoff: your legacy is tied to their business solvency and compliance with local laws. if probate court freezes your identity, they may be forced to freeze your keys.
3. sarcophagus: the decentralized experiment
sarcophagus uses a network of node operators (archaeologists) who are paid in SARCO tokens to store your "dead man’s switch."
- best for: web3 natives who want a purely on-chain solution.
- the tradeoff: complexity. you must manage ether for gas, sarco tokens for nodes, and arweave for storage. if the token value crashes or the dao fails, the recovery nodes may go offline.
the decision matrix: what happens when you die?
- if you want no one to know you have crypto: use deadhand.
- if you want a lawyer to oversee the transfer: use unchained.
- if you have a large family and complex hardware wallets: use casa.
- if you are an on-chain purist: use sarcophagus.
conclusion
digital inheritance is no longer a luxury; it is a vital hedge against technical entropy. whether you choose the trustless mathematical path of deadhand or the institutional rails of unchained, the key is to act before the switch is forced.
