Self-Custody · Action Layer
Bitcoin Self-Custody Starter Kit
A practical checklist system for people who bought Bitcoin and do not want one bad backup, one wrong send, or one confused heir to become the expensive lesson.
Who this is for
You already own some Bitcoin. You suspect "I have it on a hardware wallet" is not the full answer. You want the same systematic approach a careful operator would use — without spending six weekends reading forum threads.
If you have not bought any Bitcoin yet, start with the free Self-Custody Master path first. This kit is for the next step.
What you get
- Wallet setup checklist — the exact order of operations from box-open to first verified receive.
- Seed phrase storage checklist — what you store, where, in how many places, in what medium.
- Backup test protocol — the one drill 90% of holders never run. If you cannot recover from a different device, you do not have a backup.
- First receive checklist — address verification, change handling, test-with-small-amount discipline.
- First send checklist — same discipline plus fee logic.
- Fake wallet warning sheet — how people actually get drained. Pattern recognition, not paranoia.
- Passphrase decision worksheet — should you use a 25th word? The honest trade-off, including the inheritance cost.
- Recovery planning worksheet — what your future self (or a trusted person) needs, in what order. Sealed-envelope-ready.
- Common mistakes guide — seven mistakes that look safe until they fail, with the prevention habit for each.
What this kit is NOT
- Not a hardware wallet review. We do not rank brands.
- Not investment advice. Price is not discussed.
- Not a substitute for the free learning paths. It is the action layer on top of them.
- Does not require new software. Works with whatever wallet you already use.
Frequently asked
Will this teach me how to set up a hardware wallet?
The kit assumes you can follow your wallet manufacturer's setup. What it adds is the verification, backup-test, and recovery layer that no manufacturer ships in the box.
Multisig, single-sig, or both?
Both, with a worksheet to help you decide which is right for you given your sats size, threat model, and how much your future self wants to maintain.
What if I already use Sparrow / Electrum / a node?
The checklists are wallet-agnostic. The Sparrow/Electrum-specific notes appear where relevant.
Why $49?
Below the threshold that creates an objection for a careful holder. Above the tip-jar zone. Specifically chosen so that one mistake prevented pays the kit back roughly 1,000 times over.
Will I be added to a mailing list?
No drip. We notify buyers of new versions and that is it. You can opt into the Field Manual separately.
What to do after you finish the kit
- If you have a family: the Family Bitcoin Recovery Kit builds on this. Inheritance and shared-access layer.
- Want the monthly version of this discipline? Join the BSA Field Manual — one custody checklist per month, one mistake breakdown, one recovery drill.
- Want a one-on-one custody architecture review? Book a specialist conversation.
- Still uneasy about the single points of failure a solo setup can leave behind — one device, one location, one person's memory? Doing it yourself is the purpose of this kit, and for many people it may be enough. If you would rather not carry every risk alone, one option is collaborative custody. At The Bitcoin Adviser, the structure is designed so you remain in self-custody and The Bitcoin Adviser cannot move funds unilaterally. The three keys are typically separated across the client, an independent wallet provider such as Unchained or Theya, and a TBA key held in Australia, with recovery planning, inheritance documents, and family education built around that structure.