How to Review Held-Away Crypto for Advisory Clients

Reviewing held-away crypto for advisory clients means identifying digital assets the advisor does not custody or directly manage, then determining how those assets affect advice, reporting, risk, billing, and compliance.

The advisor should define the scope before giving recommendations.

Step 1: Inventory the Assets

Ask where assets are held, who controls them, whether they are self-custodied, and whether trusts, LLCs, or retirement accounts are involved.

Step 2: Define Advisory Scope

Clarify whether the firm will provide education, reporting, financial planning, investment advice, billing, or management related to the held-away crypto.

Step 3: Review Custody and Access

Advisors should be careful not to take possession of private keys, seed phrases, or account credentials unless the firm has intentionally designed and approved that custody model.

Step 4: Coordinate Tax and Estate Issues

Held-away crypto may affect cost basis, liquidity, estate access, trust planning, and risk concentration.

Sources

Compliance Note

This article is educational and does not provide legal, compliance, tax, investment, fiduciary, or custody advice. RIAs should consult compliance counsel before reviewing held-away crypto. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

Disclosures

DAG Holdings Co is a holding company that does not provide investment advisory, brokerage, administrative, or insurance services to clients. DAG is not a law firm, does not provide legal or tax advice, and does not provide tax preparation services. Tax matters are handled through referrals to qualified independent tax professionals.

DAG Private Client services involve estate matters that require qualified independent counsel in the applicable jurisdiction. LLC formation, trust drafting, and estate planning services are provided in coordination with or by qualified independent legal counsel licensed in the applicable jurisdiction.

Asset protection structures, including Wyoming LLCs and trusts, do not guarantee protection against all claims, creditors, or losses. Outcomes depend on specific facts, jurisdiction, and applicable law.

Insurance products and services are offered through Xure Insurance or its affiliates.

Investment advisory services are offered exclusively through DAG Wealth, an SEC-Registered Investment Adviser (CRD No. 328627). Registration with the SEC does not imply a particular level of skill or training. Form ADV and Form CRS are available upon request or at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Custody arrangements with third-party independent qualified custodians reduce certain risks but do not eliminate them.

Investing in digital assets involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Digital assets are highly volatile and may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Specific fee schedules, scope of engagement, conflicts of interest, and material business practices are disclosed in writing before engagement and in Form ADV Part 2A for the investment-advisory portion.

The information on this site is for general educational purposes and is not legal or tax advice.