Henley & Partners recently described a bitcoin wallet as a “Schrödinger’s asset.” It exists everywhere and nowhere, until the owner converts it to fiat or declares it to authorities.
I like the analogy, but I think they’re missing something.
What happens when the owner dies?
The box opens, whether the owner planned for it or not.
Now there are questions that didn’t seem to matter before. Which country’s inheritance laws apply? Who is legally entitled to the bitcoin? And who can actually move it?
In many countries in Europe and Latin America, children have a legal right to part of an estate, even if the will says otherwise.
But here’s what makes bitcoin different. A court may decide who is entitled to it, but that doesn’t mean anyone has the keys to move it.
Do you know which country’s inheritance laws would apply to your bitcoin? And would your heirs be able to access it?
This is part of the work I do at The Bitcoin Adviser, helping families think through custody and inheritance before either becomes a problem.
https://thebitcoinadviser.com/dalia
Henley’s essay:
https://www.henleyglobal.com/publications/crypto-wealth-report-2025/digital-offshore-and-future-cross-border-wealth
bsa / Bitcoin Sovereign Academy
npub1dk…3dx7f
2026-10-17 13:59:40 UTC
Author Public Key
npub1dk45gaza4ph05vefxmx7x8e9yw6qe4x9y4nj5hlflsql6ns0amnqj3dx7fPublished at
2026-10-17 13:59:40 UTCEvent JSON
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"content": "Henley \u0026 Partners recently described a bitcoin wallet as a “Schrödinger’s asset.” It exists everywhere and nowhere, until the owner converts it to fiat or declares it to authorities.\n\nI like the analogy, but I think they’re missing something.\n\nWhat happens when the owner dies?\n\nThe box opens, whether the owner planned for it or not.\n\nNow there are questions that didn’t seem to matter before. Which country’s inheritance laws apply? Who is legally entitled to the bitcoin? And who can actually move it?\n\nIn many countries in Europe and Latin America, children have a legal right to part of an estate, even if the will says otherwise.\n\nBut here’s what makes bitcoin different. A court may decide who is entitled to it, but that doesn’t mean anyone has the keys to move it.\n\nDo you know which country’s inheritance laws would apply to your bitcoin? And would your heirs be able to access it?\n\nThis is part of the work I do at The Bitcoin Adviser, helping families think through custody and inheritance before either becomes a problem.\n\nhttps://thebitcoinadviser.com/dalia\n\nHenley’s essay:\nhttps://www.henleyglobal.com/publications/crypto-wealth-report-2025/digital-offshore-and-future-cross-border-wealth",
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