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Dead-Man Switch
Ownership • Legacy • Access Control • Sovereignty
time-based trigger for automated asset release
Dead-Man Switch is a programmable mechanism that automatically triggers an action—such as transferring digital assets, revealing private keys, or activating inheritance protocols—when a user fails to perform a required check-in or activity within a set timeframe. In Web3, this ensures asset continuity and prevents funds from becoming permanently inaccessible due to the owner’s incapacity or death.
Use Case: A wallet integrates a dead-man switch that releases private key access to designated heirs if the primary wallet holder does not log in or reset the timer within 12 months.
Key Concepts:
- Automated Inheritance Protocols — Smart contract-based triggers for wealth transfer
- Jurisdiction-Proof Custody System — Private key-controlled, seizure-resistant storage
- Sovereign Wealth Protection Layer — Multi-layered defense against institutional or political interference
- Generational Wealth Security — Long-term preservation and automated inheritance of assets
- Crypto Wills — Smart contract-based systems for digital estate planning
- Digital Asset Inheritance — Automated succession for on-chain wealth
- Blockchain Inheritance — Passing control of assets via wallet keys
- Multisig Wallet — Multi-key setup often combined with dead-man switches
- Smart Contracts — On-chain logic that enforces time-based triggers
- Private Keys — Secret credentials released upon switch activation
- Seed Phrase — Recovery words that may be revealed to heirs
- Decentralized Estate Planning — Blockchain-native approach to wealth transfer
Summary: Dead-Man Switches provide a crucial safeguard for digital wealth, ensuring that assets remain accessible to heirs or trusted parties without reliance on traditional legal systems.
How Dead-Man Switches Work
the mechanics of automated asset release
Basic Mechanism
• Timer starts counting down
• Owner must “check in” periodically
• Check-in resets the timer
• If timer expires → trigger activates
• Pre-defined action executes
• Assets transfer to designated heir
• Timer starts counting down
• Owner must “check in” periodically
• Check-in resets the timer
• If timer expires → trigger activates
• Pre-defined action executes
• Assets transfer to designated heir
Check-In Methods
• Sign a transaction
• Log into a wallet/app
• Send a specific message
• Complete a challenge
• Respond to email/notification
• Any verifiable on-chain action
• Sign a transaction
• Log into a wallet/app
• Send a specific message
• Complete a challenge
• Respond to email/notification
• Any verifiable on-chain action
Trigger Actions
• Transfer funds to heir wallet
• Reveal encrypted seed phrase
• Activate multisig permissions
• Send notification to trustee
• Release private key shards
• Execute inheritance contract
• Transfer funds to heir wallet
• Reveal encrypted seed phrase
• Activate multisig permissions
• Send notification to trustee
• Release private key shards
• Execute inheritance contract
Timer Configurations
• 3 months — high activity users
• 6 months — moderate users
• 12 months — typical setting
• 24 months — long-term holders
• Custom — based on lifestyle
• Multiple tiers — staged release
• 3 months — high activity users
• 6 months — moderate users
• 12 months — typical setting
• 24 months — long-term holders
• Custom — based on lifestyle
• Multiple tiers — staged release
The Balance: Set your timer long enough to avoid false triggers during travel or life disruptions, but short enough to ensure timely access for heirs. 12 months is the most common default—long enough for extended absence, short enough for reasonable succession.
Dead-Man Switch Risks & Mitigations
understanding the trade-offs
Risks
• False trigger (forgot to check in)
• Service provider shuts down
• Smart contract bugs
• Heir wallet compromised
• Timer too short for situation
• Single point of failure
• False trigger (forgot to check in)
• Service provider shuts down
• Smart contract bugs
• Heir wallet compromised
• Timer too short for situation
• Single point of failure
Mitigations
• Multiple reminder systems
• Use established protocols
• Audit smart contracts
• Multi-layered inheritance plan
• Conservative timer settings
• Combine with multisig backup
• Multiple reminder systems
• Use established protocols
• Audit smart contracts
• Multi-layered inheritance plan
• Conservative timer settings
• Combine with multisig backup
Common Mistakes
• Setting timer too short
• Not testing the system
• Forgetting check-in dates
• Single heir dependency
• No backup mechanism
• Unclear instructions for heirs
• Setting timer too short
• Not testing the system
• Forgetting check-in dates
• Single heir dependency
• No backup mechanism
• Unclear instructions for heirs
Best Practices
• Calendar reminders (multiple)
• Test recovery with small amounts
• Document everything for heirs
• Combine with multisig
• Use Shamir as backup
• Review annually
• Calendar reminders (multiple)
• Test recovery with small amounts
• Document everything for heirs
• Combine with multisig
• Use Shamir as backup
• Review annually
The Reality: Dead-man switches are powerful but imperfect. They’re best used as one layer of a comprehensive inheritance plan—not the only mechanism. Combine with multisig, Shamir, and traditional documentation for maximum protection.
Dead-Man Switch Solutions
platforms and tools for automated inheritance
Decentralization Matters: Centralized dead-man switch services (email-based) are convenient but create counterparty risk—the company could shut down. Decentralized protocols like Sarcophagus remove this risk but require more technical setup.
Complete Inheritance Architecture
dead-man switch as part of layered security
Layer 1: Primary Access
• Multisig wallet (2-of-3)
• You hold 2 keys
• Heir holds 1 key (inactive)
• Normal operations unchanged
• Heir can’t act alone
• Immediate access if keys available
• Multisig wallet (2-of-3)
• You hold 2 keys
• Heir holds 1 key (inactive)
• Normal operations unchanged
• Heir can’t act alone
• Immediate access if keys available
Layer 2: Dead-Man Switch
• 12-month inactivity trigger
• Activates heir’s additional access
• Or reveals second key to heir
• Automated, no coordination
• Fallback if primary fails
• Time-based assurance
• 12-month inactivity trigger
• Activates heir’s additional access
• Or reveals second key to heir
• Automated, no coordination
• Fallback if primary fails
• Time-based assurance
Layer 3: Shamir Backup
• Seed split into 3 shares
• Distributed to trusted parties
• 2 shares reconstruct seed
• Emergency recovery option
• No single point of failure
• Works if switch fails
• Seed split into 3 shares
• Distributed to trusted parties
• 2 shares reconstruct seed
• Emergency recovery option
• No single point of failure
• Works if switch fails
Layer 4: Documentation
• Written instructions for heirs
• Asset inventory updated
• Crypto will with attorney
• Video walkthrough stored
• Trusted contacts listed
• Annual review completed
• Written instructions for heirs
• Asset inventory updated
• Crypto will with attorney
• Video walkthrough stored
• Trusted contacts listed
• Annual review completed
Defense in Depth: No single mechanism is foolproof. Layer your inheritance plan: multisig for collaboration, dead-man switch for automation, Shamir for backup, and documentation for guidance. If one layer fails, others protect your family’s access to your $KAU/$KAG and other assets.
Dead-Man Switch Checklist
Setup
☐ Choose appropriate timer duration
☐ Select reliable platform/protocol
☐ Configure trigger action
☐ Set heir wallet address
☐ Test with small amounts
☐ Document the system for heirs
☐ Choose appropriate timer duration
☐ Select reliable platform/protocol
☐ Configure trigger action
☐ Set heir wallet address
☐ Test with small amounts
☐ Document the system for heirs
Check-In System
☐ Set calendar reminders (multiple)
☐ Phone notification enabled
☐ Email reminder configured
☐ Backup reminder method
☐ Know check-in procedure
☐ Practice check-in process
☐ Set calendar reminders (multiple)
☐ Phone notification enabled
☐ Email reminder configured
☐ Backup reminder method
☐ Know check-in procedure
☐ Practice check-in process
Heir Preparation
☐ Heir knows system exists
☐ Heir has receiving wallet ready
☐ Instructions written clearly
☐ Heir can access funds
☐ Technical guidance provided
☐ Trusted contact for help
☐ Heir knows system exists
☐ Heir has receiving wallet ready
☐ Instructions written clearly
☐ Heir can access funds
☐ Technical guidance provided
☐ Trusted contact for help
Backup Layers
☐ Multisig configured as primary
☐ Shamir backup distributed
☐ Hardware wallets secured
☐ Tangem backup card ready
☐ Traditional will references crypto
☐ Annual review scheduled
☐ Multisig configured as primary
☐ Shamir backup distributed
☐ Hardware wallets secured
☐ Tangem backup card ready
☐ Traditional will references crypto
☐ Annual review scheduled
The Principle: A dead-man switch is your final insurance policy—the mechanism that ensures your wealth reaches your family when you can no longer act. Set it, maintain it, and layer it with other protections. Your heirs deserve access to what you’ve built.