Bitcoin Ownership Proof | Notarized & Legally Verifiable

Court-proof Bitcoin proof

without signature

Why a test transaction with notarized confirmation truly protects your assets

Court-proof Bitcoin proof of ownership without signature:

Notarial Confirmation & Test Transaction - Provenance Proof Security*

By Torsten Schmitz, CEO & Founder of trust4money.de – Böblingen, January 2026

Bitcoin ownership is technically simple, legally often weak: Whoever controls the private key can move the coins – but that does not prove ownership. The classic proof "I have the key" is no longer sufficient to clearly assign cryptocurrencies in legally relevant situations. Trust4Money's solution: a minimal test transaction combined with a notarized or fiduciary confirmation that creates legally sound proof of ownership – without jeopardizing privacy or key control. This blog article explains in a practical way how our approach works, why classic methods are insufficient and what advantages it offers for family offices, inheritance cases, Lombard loans*(loans against assets)and insurance.

Why technical control alone is not enough

Whoever owns Bitcoin initially only owns the key – the blockchain shows that someone can execute transactions, but it does not answer the legal question of who is the legal owner. Wallet addresses do not carry names, IDs, or signatures. In practice, this means that in legal disputes, divorces, or inheritances, "I have the key" is not enough. Tax authorities, banks, family offices, or insurance companies require legally sound proof to properly document ownership and origin.Many of our clients acquired their Bitcoin early – through OTC deals, mining, or personal transfers – without formal documentation. The blockchain history alone only proves technical control, not lawful ownership.

What is proof of ownership for?

This proof creates legally sound evidence that you had full control over your Bitcoin wallet and were the rightful owner at the exact time of the test transaction. It protects against disputes (e.g., inheritance, divorce, family conflicts), facilitates acceptance by banks as collateral (Lombard loans), reduces insurance premiums, and helps with audits, tax audits, or insolvency cases. It bridges the gap between pseudonymous blockchain technology and the real legal world – without you having to give up control. Ideal for anyone who wants to make their Bitcoin assets not only technically but also legally unassailable.

Technical proof vs. legal proof

Signature alone: Shows only control of the private key – pseudonymous, technically correct, but legally limited. Test transaction + notarized confirmation: Documents key control plus identity, neutrally verified, legally sound.

This approach closes the gap between blockchain pseudonymity and the German legal system, creating court-proof evidence of ownership that is also recognized in financial audits, inheritance cases, or corporate balance sheets.

A test transaction deliberately generates only minimal blockchain traces, is reversible and therefore practically risk-free. We work exclusively with experienced partner notaries, costs start from 229–999 € net, depending on complexity & notary, and the entire process takes only a few hours to days.

Who needs proof of transaction?

A structured and verifiable proof of origin and ownership of Bitcoin offers a decisive advantage in numerous legal and economic situations. In the case of divorce or equalization of gains, it enables court-proof evidence of who had which Bitcoin holdings at what time. Clean documentation is also becoming increasingly important in the business environment: it is a prerequisite for company balance sheets and audits to properly account for crypto assets according to HGB or IFRS and to transparently present their origin.

When is proof of transaction needed?

When it comes to lending, especially crypto-based Lombard loans, banks are increasingly demanding a so-called "Proof of Clean Origin" before accepting Bitcoin as collateral. A similar situation applies to the sale of larger positions via OTC desks, where buyers regularly expect at least reduced provenance documentation ("Provenance Lite") to minimize compliance risks. Finally, consistent proof of the acquisition and ownership history is also an important instrument in the context of a tax audit by the tax office to plausibly and reliably demonstrate acquisition times, holding periods, and tax classification.

Case Studies

Transaction proofs

Companies, Bitcoin, and the Risk of Sudden Loss

Example 1- from companies

Imagine you are the CEO of a company. Over the past few years, the company has invested approximately €1.2 million in Bitcoin – as a strategic reserve and inflation hedge. The assets are held in a company wallet that you personally set up: air-gapped, with SeedPro-Splitting and shared sovereignty (you, the tax advisor as trustee, the authorized signatory, and an external notary share the roles – all notarized and audit-proof documented).

A problem arises

Suddenly you die in an accident. No one but you has a complete overview of the wallets. The seed phrase is shared, but without your proof, it is unclear which addresses really belong to the company.

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Panic in the supervisory board and among the shareholders. Where are the Bitcoins? Do they belong to the company? Were there hidden sales? Without proof, the tax office or an insolvency administrator would have to examine the blockchain for months, assign addresses, and trace transactions – with high expert costs, delayed accounting, and possible back taxes. The company faces liquidity bottlenecks or even disputes among shareholders.

2

Thanks to your preparation, everything runs smoothly: the notary presents the certified deed, which clearly shows that the recipient addresses were under your (and thus the company's) control – including test transactions, protocol, and audit-proof proof of ownership. The supervisory board immediately recognizes the assets, the balance sheet is corrected, the reserve is maintained, and the company avoids expensive disputes or liquidity bottlenecks.

This is exactly what our service at trust4money is designed for: We provide the evidence that immediately creates clarity in crises – without the company remaining in the dark for months.

Private individuals, Bitcoin and the danger of sudden loss

Example 2 - from private life

Imagine you are Max, 55 years old and a family man. Over the past few years, you've built up a private Bitcoin portfolio – currently worth approximately €500,000. The assets are on your wallet, which you personally set up: air-gapped, with SeedPro-splitting and shared authority (you, your wife, and a notary as trustee share the roles – all notarized and audit-proof documented).

A problem arises

Suddenly you die unexpectedly. Your wife and two adult children know that Bitcoin exists, but no one has the complete overview. The seed phrase is split, but without your proof, it is unclear which addresses really belonged to you.

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Family dispute. The children doubt whether the wallets belong to the inheritance or if there were hidden transactions. Without proof, the probate court might have to spend months examining blockchain history, assigning addresses, and clarifying ownership – with high legal fees, emotional stress, and delayed disbursement.

2

Thanks to your preparation, everything runs smoothly: the notary presents the certified deed, which clearly shows that the recipient addresses were under your control – including test transactions, protocol, and audit-proof proof of ownership. The court immediately recognizes the possession, the inheritance is quickly distributed, and your family saves time, money, and nerves.

This is exactly what our service at trust4money is designed for: We provide the proof that creates smooth clarity in inheritance cases – without the bereaved remaining in uncertainty for months.

FamilyOffice, Bitcoin and the Proof of Provenance

Example 3 - from a Family Office

Imagine you are the head of a renowned Family Office that manages the assets of several generations of an entrepreneurial family – including a Bitcoin holding of around €3.5 million. The assets are held in a corporate wallet that you set up with SeedPro and shared sovereignty: you as CIO, the external trustee, a notary, and the house bank share the roles – all notarized, audit-proof, and with seamless proof of ownership (including test transactions).

A problem arises

The bank offers the family an attractive Lombard loan (50-70% LTV against Bitcoin as collateral). At the same time, for accounting and risk assessment purposes, it requires clear proof of provenance and clear proof of ownership of all relevant addresses – without which the bank would not release the loan and the family office could not utilize the liquidity.

1

Without complete proof, the process stalls: The bank rejects or demands expensive appraisals. The tax office could later question the provenance during an audit. The family office loses months and opportunities (e.g., investment in a new project or diversification). In the worst case, distrust arises between the family and the bank – or even internally between generations.

2

Thanks to your preparation, everything runs smoothly: The trustee/notary presents the certified deed, which clearly shows that all recipient addresses were under your (and thus the Family Office's) control - including test transactions, protocol, and audit-proof proof of ownership. The bank immediately accepts the proof, the Lombard loan is paid out within a few days, the accounting is clean, and the Family Office uses the liquidity without delay or dispute.

This is exactly what our service at trust4money is designed for: We provide the proof that banks and family offices need for collateralization, accounting and compliance – quickly, securely and legally binding.

Companies, Bitcoin, and the Need for Clean Accounting

Example 4 - the corporate world (Audit & Accounting)

Imagine you are the CFO of a medium-sized company. Over the past few years, the company has invested approximately €2.8 million in Bitcoin – as a strategic reserve, inflation hedge, and diversification. The assets are held in a company wallet that you personally set up: air-gapped, with SeedPro splitting and shared sovereignty (you, the tax advisor as trustee, the authorized signatory, and an external notary share the roles – all notarized and documented in an audit-proof manner).

A problem arises

The auditor is facing the annual financial statement audit. He requires clear proof of provenance and ownership for all Bitcoin addresses – otherwise, the assets cannot be accounted for. Without proof, the origin remains unclear: Are the coins really company assets? Were there unauthorized transfers? The tax authorities could question the balance sheet during a later audit.

1

The audit is delayed for months. External auditors have to sift through the blockchain, assign addresses, and check transactions – with high costs, delayed balance sheet approval, and possible inquiries from the tax office. The company risks liquidity bottlenecks, loss of trust from banks and shareholders, or even tax back payments.

2

Thanks to your preparation, everything runs smoothly: The notary presents the certified deed, which clearly shows that the recipient addresses were under your (and thus the company's) control – including test transactions, protocol, and audit-proof proof of ownership. The auditor immediately accepts the inventory, the balance sheet is cleanly released, the reserve remains correctly accounted for in the balance sheet, and the company avoids expensive expert opinions or inquiries from the tax office.

This is exactly what our service at trust4money is designed for: We provide the evidence that companies need for audits, accounting, and compliance – quickly, securely, and legally sound.

Process

for transaction proofs

01

Step 1: Contact & Order

You book the service via trust4money.de or by email/phone. We clarify the scope together (e.g. one or more wallets) and, if necessary, arrange an appointment with one of our partner notaries or trustees.

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Step 2: Preparing the Wallet

You provide us (encrypted) with the public address for which the proof is to be created. Optionally, we can set up SeedPro with KeySplit in advance if desired – but this is not a prerequisite.

03

Step 3: Live appointment (online or on-site)

The notary/trustee and an employee of trust4money.de are connected (usually via encrypted video conference). They identify themselves with an ID card/passport. The trustee sends a tiny test amount (e.g., 500–2,000 Satoshi ≈ 0.0005–0.002 BTC) to your wallet. You immediately send exactly the same amount back to the trustee's wallet. Both transactions are displayed and logged live on a blockchain explorer.

04

Step 4: Documentation & Certification

The notary/trustee shall immediately issue a notarized confirmation of facts or a trustee deed with the name and address of the owner, date and time of the proof, wallet address(es) used, hash values of both test transactions, and shall state: "The undersigned had sole control over the stated address and is therefore the legal owner.

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Step 5: Optional Source of Funds Certification

additional explanation of the origin of funds (with existing documents) see https://trust4money.de/herkunftsnachweis

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Step 6: Handover & Archiving

You will receive the certified document digitally (PDF with qualified electronic signature) and, if desired, also in printed form by registered mail. We store an encrypted copy in your personal SeedPro vault (if desired).

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Step 7: Costs & Duration

Individual proof: from 229–999 € (depending on notary and scope, plus VAT) Duration: usually 1–3 working days after appointment

Transaction Proofs ‒ Escrow / Notary

Fiduciary or notarized proof of ownership of your Bitcoin addresses and transactions – without you having to create a signature yourself. We carry out the test transfer and deliver an audit-proof certificate. Ideal for tax security within the 1-year holding period, estate planning, collateralization and accounting. All prices net plus VAT.

– €229

References

1. Trustee Proof – 229 €

Package: (one-time)

Ideal for individual transactions, initial tax security or testing purposes→ "No stress with signature - we prove it for you."

Included:

Payment:

– 699 €

package proofs

2. Annual Trustee Package – €699

Package: (Annual subscription)

Perfect for active wallets, HNWI, or businesses with multiple addresses → "Long-term security without annual surprises."

Included:

Payment:

– €399 (one-time fee)

References

3. Notary Proof – 399 €

Package: (one-time)

For Family Offices, companies that need individual court-proof documents → "Highest legal certainty - when it matters most."

Included:

Payment:

- 999 € (annual subscription)

package proofs

3. Notary Annual Package – €999

Package: (Annual subscription)

For family offices, companies that frequently need legally sound documents → "Highest legal certainty - when it matters most."

Included:

Payment:

Provenance Proof = the gold standard for clean crypto origin.

In the crypto world, provenance refers to the traceable proof of origin and ownership of a digital asset.

It refers to a complete, verifiable history of origin and transfers, which proves that an asset comes from "clean" sources. In practice, the term is used depending on the context as Blockchain Provenance, Proof of Provenance or Asset/Cryptocurrency Provenance - Proof of Source (or Origin) of Funds.

It only proves control over the private key, not the identity of the owner. Judicial or tax authorities require a clear assignment to a person.

Only a neutral instance such as a notary or trustee, who verifies the identity and records the process.

The certificate refers to the specific time of the test transaction. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated.

No. You retain full control over your wallet. The test transaction is only carried out with minimal amounts.

Inheritances, divorces, Lombard loans, inventory accounting, insurance.

Provenance (also Provenience) in the context of cryptocurrencies and digital assets refers to the verifiable origin and history of an asset or a wallet.In short: Provenance seamlessly shows where a Bitcoin (or other crypto asset) comes from and through which wallets/transactions it has passed – from its creation (mining) to today. It's about transparency and trustworthiness: Is the asset "clean" (no theft, no mixer use, no sanction violations)?

At trust4money / SeedPro:We document and certify the provenance of your assets through:- Blockchain tracking of the entire history- CleanProof (proof that there are no blacklisted or risky transactions)- Provenance Proof (official certificate of origin and cleanliness)Why is it important?For banks, family offices, and institutions: Only assets with clear provenance are often eligible for collateral (Bitcoin-backed lending) or acceptable for estates/inheritances.MiCAR/BaFin-compliant: Reduces risks in cases of suspected money laundering and facilitates compliance checks.In short: Provenance = the complete "life story" of your Bitcoin – clean, verifiable, and trustworthy.

Lombard loans (also called Lombard credits or securities-backed loans) are loans that banks grant against the deposit of liquid assets ("Lombard collateral"). You deposit securities, stocks, funds, precious metals, or – in modern cases – even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin as collateral with the bank. The bank grants you a loan (usually 50-80% of the value of the collateral) at favorable interest rates, without you having to sell the assets.

Typical features of traditional banks:- Loan-to-Value (LTV): 50-70% for stocks/funds, often 30-50% for Bitcoin (due to volatility).- Interest rates: Low (currently approx. 4-8% p.a., depending on ECB key interest rate + risk premium).- Risk: If the value of the collateral falls (margin call), you must make additional payments or have assets sold.- Advantages: Fast liquidity, no sales taxes, assets remain in your possession.Lombard loans on Bitcoin / Crypto (since 2025/2026 at pioneer banks):More and more Volksbanken, Raiffeisenbanken, and private banks offer them (e.g., Volksbank Raiffeisenbank Bayern Mitte with a pilot in 2026).Prerequisite: Clean provenance (CleanProof), transparent origin, and secure custody.Often in combination with hybrid custody (as with trust4money) to avoid a single point of failure.With trust4money:We support Bitcoin-backed Lombard loans through:- Shared sovereignty ("We together") – the bank does not have sole access to your keys.- Provenance certification (CleanProof / Provenance Proof) – essential for banks.- Notary/trustee accompaniment during the deposit.This makes the process MiCAR-compliant and more attractive for banks (less regulatory effort).Lombard loans = loan against deposit of assets. For Bitcoin, the modern variant of "crypto as collateral" – safer and more transparent with trust4money through shared control.

OTC-Deals (Over-the-Counter-Deals) are off-exchange, direct purchases/sales of cryptocurrencies between two parties – without a public exchange or exchange as an intermediary. In an OTC deal, large amounts (often from €50,000–100,000) are traded privately and discreetly. The price is negotiated individually, and the transaction runs directly wallet-to-wallet.

Advantages of OTC deals:- No slippage (price remains stable, no market influence from large orders)- Higher privacy (no public order book)- Often better prices for large volumes- Faster and more flexible than exchange tradingDisadvantages / Risks:- Counterparty risk (the other party does not pay or deliver)- Less regulation (no automatic buyer protection)- Higher money laundering risk → strict KYC/AML checks necessaryAt trust4money:We support secure OTC deals in our hybrid "we-together" custody:- Shared sovereignty protects against misuse- Provenance check (CleanProof) ensures that assets are clean- -- Notary or trustee assistance possible- MiCAR-compliant: No full CASP trading license needed, as we do not operate a central platform

In short: OTC deals = discrete wholesale transactions for crypto. With trust4money, safer and more transparent through shared control and traceability.

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