FAQ
The questions we hear most.
Every question from our pages in one place, grouped by topic. If something is missing, write to contact@shellcrew.com.
Frequently asked questions
Do you see my seed or keys?
No. You enter the seed yourself on your own hardware wallet, and at that step we don't see your screen. We don't store any of your keys.
Do you give investment advice?
No. We deal only with how to store safely what you already have. We don't say what to buy or when to sell.
Does this replace a will?
No. We prepare the technical part: where the keys are and how to use them. A notary or lawyer handles the will and inheritance matters, and we're happy to talk to them. Rules differ between EU countries, so ask a local notary or lawyer.
Which cryptocurrencies do you support?
We set up the 2-of-3 wallet for bitcoin. For other cryptocurrencies we help you move them to a hardware wallet and make a proper backup.
What if something happens after setup?
Once a year we can repeat the recovery test together, and if something breaks we help right away. We give the details of the care plan after the check-up.
Why should I trust you?
We have no access to your funds, so you don't have to. You judge us by the quality of our advice, and you do every step yourself, on open-source software.
Questions about the check-up
Do I have to show how much crypto I have?
No. Amounts and addresses stay with you. We ask about the layout: how many copies, in how many places, who has access.
Is the check-up online?
Yes, by video call. Where your keys are concerned, we don't see your screen anyway.
What if I don't want to go further after the call?
You keep the list of risks and do it yourself. We don't call and we don't chase you.
How do I pay?
By bank transfer once we agree a date. The price is indicative. For our first clients we confirm it before the call.
Do I need a hardware wallet already?
No. You may still be on an exchange and thinking about moving to your own wallet. The check-up then shows you where to start.
What do I get after the call?
A list of risks, most urgent first, with a suggested fix for each item. We build it during the call, so you don't wait for a separate report.
Questions about the instructions
How are family instructions different from a will?
A will says who inherits and sits with a notary. The instructions say how to technically recover access to the funds: where the keys are and in what order to use them. One doesn't work without the other.
Will my family find out how much I have?
Only what you tell them yourself. The instructions contain no amounts or addresses, only steps.
Can the trusted person take the funds alone?
No. They hold one key out of three, and two are needed for a transfer. Alone they can do nothing.
What if the instructions go out of date?
Once a year we check them together under the subscription. New phone, new wallet version, a move: we fix the text.
Where should I keep the instructions?
On paper, in two places: with you and with the person who holds a key. Not in the cloud, not in an email.
How many people need to know about the crypto?
Usually one or two. The fewer people know the setup, the smaller the risk of a leak, but at least one has to know the instructions exist and where they are.
Do I need a 2-of-3 wallet already?
The instructions describe a specific key layout, so they usually come after the setup or together with it. We start with a check-up and agree the order there.
Setup and hardware
How long does the setup take?
Two to three hours of work, in one or two online sessions. On top of that comes the time you wait for hardware from the maker.
What hardware do I need to buy?
After the check-up we point you to hardware wallets (for example Trezor or BitBox) and steel plates for the seed backups. You buy them yourself, straight from the maker.
Can I do it myself?
Yes. If you read your wallet's documentation and set up multisig yourself, you don't need us. We help people who want a second pair of eyes or don't want to guess whether the backup will work.
Can I start with just one key?
Yes, it's possible. But one key is one point of failure: lose it or let someone see it and that's the end of it. Moving to 2-of-3 later means a new wallet and moving the funds, so it's usually better to plan the setup from the start.
When things go wrong
What if I lose a hardware wallet?
In a 2-of-3 setup one lost key locks nothing: the other two can still sign a transfer. It's still worth replacing the key quickly and moving the funds to a new wallet. Under Care we go through it together, step by step.
What if Shellcrew goes out of business?
Your wallet keeps working. You hold the keys and the software is open source, so it doesn't depend on us. The family instructions are written so they can be followed without us, too.
Do you work with notaries?
On request we talk to your notary or lawyer so the instructions and the will fit together. They handle the will and inheritance matters, under their own agreement.
Working together, payment and data
Do you work outside Poland?
We work online across the EU.
How does payment work?
You pay for the check-up by bank transfer once we agree a date. We price the setup and the family instructions after the check-up and give you the amount before any work starts. You buy hardware straight from the maker and don't pay us for it.
What data do you keep?
When you join the list: your email address, where you signed up and when. To spot bots we also log your IP address and user agent, deleted after 90 days at the latest. We never ask for seeds, keys, wallet addresses or amounts.
Can I cancel Care?
Yes, in any month. Care doesn't tie you to a longer contract, and your wallet keeps working without us.