Dead-Man Switch
ownership • legacy • access control • sovereignty
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
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.