In it tenth episode of Separating Money and State, Matías Methey and Iván Gómez discuss inheritance: traditionally a slow, expensive process full of taxes, lawyers and bureaucracy. With Bitcoin in self-custody (especially multi-signature with timelocks), succession can be almost instantaneous, private and without extra costs.
Matías describes simple architectures (1-of-1 with backup, 1-of-2 for couples, schemes with conditional heirs) that adapt to each family context, eliminating the need for heirs to be technical or even know in advance that they inherit Bitcoin. He insists that each plan must be “tailored,” considering variables such as travel, family fights, simultaneous deaths or tax jurisdictions.
Self-custody is not just a technical security practice: it is the gateway to radical and unconfiscatable ownership, the first time in history that an individual can be the absolute owner of a valuable asset without asking anyone’s permission.
The most relevant:
- Bitcoin is the first truly unconfiscatable asset if self-custody is done correctly.
- Delegating custody to exchanges or institutions is convenient, but it repeats the old model of trusting third parties.
- Self-custody is not paranoia: it protects from governments, hackers, partners, dishonest partners and vital unforeseen events.
- Each inheritance plan must be “tailored”: it depends on the heritage, family, country and personal fears.
- Multisignature does not multiply responsibility: it strengthens security and serves as a mutual backup.
- Passphrase (13th word) increases security, but requires more care; Multisignature is usually simpler.
- Common schemes: 1-of-2 for nomadic couples, family backups, conditional inheritance to siblings/children.
- True ownership is “without asking permission” – Bitcoin makes this possible for the first time in history.
- Self-custody is an “awakening of conscience” towards total sovereignty (financial, informational, decision-making).
- Hardware wallets (cold) are key: the seed never leaves the device.