A Paper Backup Routine for Long-Term Holders
Cold-storage holders often check their hardware wallets annually but let transaction records drift for years. A simple paper routine prevents the “what was this address?” problem.
Quarterly export
Every three months, export a fresh CSV from each wallet. Store the file on an encrypted USB drive that lives with your seed backup kit — not on a cloud service.
Label the file with the wallet nickname, export date, and software version. Example: vault-main_2025-04-03_electrum.csv.
The fifteen-minute review
Before archiving, spend fifteen minutes scanning the export:
- Check that the date range covers your last review
- Look for any address you do not recognize
- Note any transaction without a memo that you might forget later
Write these notes on a single index card. Slip the card into your binder or envelope.
Annual binding decision
If your quarterly exports total more than 100 pages printed, consider commissioning a bound ledger. Loose printouts degrade faster than sewn bindings, and pages get lost.
We recommend binding every 18–24 months for active wallets, or after any major restructuring (new vault, inheritance transfer, multisig change).
Storage conditions
Keep bound volumes away from direct sunlight and humid basements. A bedroom shelf or fire-rated document box works well. Do not store paper records in the same sealed bag as hardware devices — condensation can damage both.
What paper cannot replace
A printed ledger documents history. It does not replace your seed phrase, passphrase, or multisig coordination notes. Keep those in their own secure location with a clear cross-reference in your ledger index.