DEPI-Standard-V1.0

DEPI DIGITAL ESTATE CONTINUITY STANDARD™ v1.0

TABLE OF CONTENTS & STRUCTURAL ARCHITECTURE

SECTION 1 — INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of the Standard

The Digital Estate Continuity Standard establishes a unified, global framework for preserving, protecting, and transferring digital assets, digital identity credentials, AI-generated personal data, and continuity-critical information across individuals, families, businesses, and institutions.

Objectives include:

Industry-wide interoperability
Reliable professional practice
Consumer protection
Tool accreditation
Regulatory alignment
Ethical continuity for digital and AI-augmented identities
Cross-border digital asset and identity continuity

1.2 Scope

This Standard applies to:

Individuals and families
Estate planners, fiduciaries, trustees
Technology platforms & digital continuity tools
Blockchain-based systems (where applicable)
Digital identity providers
Custodians and financial institutions
SMBs managing digital continuity
Cross-border estate scenarios
AI-legacy and machine-generated personal data

1.3 Objectives

Establish a Digital Asset Classification Model
Define continuity lifecycle workflows
Provide identity and access continuity models
Establish minimum security controls
Provide ethical and AI continuity guidelines
Enable accreditation of platforms
Support professional certification
Provide a policy reference model for regulators

1.4 Terminology & Definitions

Definitions to be included in full draft:

Digital Identity
Digital Asset
Emotional Digital Asset
Continuity Trigger
Cryptographic Key
Legacy AI Model
Smart-Contract Inheritance
Delegated Access
Multi-Party Continuity Framework
Zero-Knowledge Access Proof
Executor / Trustee Continuity

1.5 Relationship to Other Standards

This standard is complementary to:

ISO/IEC 27001 (Security)
ISO Blockchain Framework
NIST Digital Identity Guidelines
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
RUFADAA (U.S. digital asset access)
EU eIDAS 2.0
GDPR (privacy)
International probate & inheritance frameworks
Blockchain interoperability standards

1.6 Applicability

This standard is voluntary and applicable to:

Professionals
Institutions
Technology platforms
Governing bodies
Developers
Executors & trustees
Consumers seeking continuity guidance

1.7 Digital Continuity Lifecycle Overview

Creation
Storage & Protection
Access Management
Delegation & Continuity Configuration
Continuity Triggers
Transfer & Inheritance Execution
Archival Preservation
Destruction Protocols

SECTION 2 — DIGITAL IDENTITY CONTINUITY FRAMEWORK

2.1 Overview

The Digital Identity Continuity Framework defines the foundational identity models necessary to ensure that individuals, families, organizations, and platforms can maintain secure, continuous access to accounts, digital assets, records, services, and continuity-critical systems during:

normal operations
emergencies
incapacity
death
succession
and cross-generational transfer

This framework applies to:

individuals
trustees, executors, and authorized designees
professional advisors
digital continuity platforms
identity providers
blockchain or cryptographic identity systems
custodians and institutions

Identity continuity is the first and most essential layer of the digital estate lifecycle.

2.2 Identity Layer Model

Digital identity is composed of multiple interconnected layers.
Continuity must be preserved across all layers.

2.2.1 Legal Identity Layer

The legal identity layer includes:

government-issued identification
legal documents confirming authority (power of attorney, trust documents, executor appointments)
estate planning documents that authorize access and delegation

Continuity Requirements:

Identity verification for executors/trustees must comply with jurisdictional laws.
Platforms must provide workflows for legally appointed representatives to claim continuity access.
Legal identity must override digital identity where conflicts arise.

2.2.2 Digital Identity Layer

The digital identity layer includes:

usernames
passwords
authentication credentials
platform-specific identity tokens
login sessions
cloud authentication profiles

Continuity Requirements:

Platforms must support “survivorship” of accounts under legally verifiable continuity events.
Identity reassignment must be auditable and reversible.
Digital identity must not be permanently tied to a single device.

2.2.3 Cryptographic Identity Layer

Cryptographic identity includes:

private/public key pairs
blockchain addresses
MPC or multi-sig identity constructs
decentralized identifiers (DIDs)
verifiable credentials (VCs)

Continuity Requirements:

Platforms using cryptographic identity must support multi-party continuity.
Users must not be placed at risk of continuity failure due to single-key loss.
Recoverability must be provided via:
- identity-based recovery
- MPC recovery workflows
- trustee/executor approval frameworks

2.2.4 AI-Augmented Identity Layer

Emerging identity types include:

AI memory models
digital personas
personal AI knowledge graphs
voice, image, and behavioral AI assets representing a person

Continuity Requirements:

AI identity layers must support inheritance, access restrictions, and ethical controls.
AI models containing personal data must support consent-based continuity transfer.
AI identity fragments must be deletable when legally required.

2.3 Authentication Continuity

Authentication continuity ensures that identity verification mechanisms continue to function across continuity events.

Platforms must support the following:

2.3.1 Multi-Factor Authentication Continuity

All MFA methods must include continuity pathways, including:

password continuity
device change or loss
biometric fallback
email/phone recovery
continuity account keys
identity-based recovery via legal documentation

Continuity Requirements:

MFA must never create lockout scenarios for estates or continuity delegates.
MFA reassignment must be logged with timestamped audit trails.
Emergency continuity modes must bypass MFA safely, with multi-party approval where possible.

2.3.2 Delegated Authentication Models

Delegated authentication enables:

pre-authorized individuals
executors and trustees
continuity delegates
corporate continuity managers

to authenticate into accounts or systems without impersonation.

Continuity Requirements:

Delegated access must be distinct from personal access.
Delegates must receive access only to what they are legally entitled to.
The system must prevent unauthorized inheritance escalation.

2.3.3 Cryptographic Authentication Continuity

If cryptographic keys are used as authenticators:

platforms must provide multi-party authentication options
platforms must provide continuity workflows for:
- lost private keys
- compromised keys
- inheritance transitions
- incapacity events

Key continuity must not expose private keys to delegates.

2.4 Delegation & Authority Continuity

Delegation defines how identity rights are transferred or shared.

Platforms must provide support for:

✔ Pre-death delegation

✔ Incapacity delegation

✔ Post-death executor/trustee delegation

✔ Emergency access delegation

✔ Organizational continuity delegation

2.4.1 Trusted Contacts

Platforms must allow users to designate trusted contacts for:

identity verification
continuity notifications
non-privileged alerts

Trusted contacts do not receive asset access by default.

2.4.2 Continuity Delegates (Pre-Authorized Individuals)

Delegates may include:

spouses
partners
adult children
professional advisors
fiduciaries

Continuity Requirements:

Delegation rights must be granular (per asset or account).
Delegation changes must be logged.
Delegates must complete identity verification.

2.4.3 Executor & Trustee Identity Assignment

Platforms must support legally recognized successors with:

access proportional to their authority
multi-step verification
document upload and validation
automatic revocation when roles change

2.4.4 Corporate & SMB Identity Delegation

For businesses:

continuity managers
IT administrators
financial officers
operational continuity officers

must be able to assume identity responsibilities upon incapacity or death of key personnel.

2.5 Blockchain Identity Anchors (Integrated Blockchain Requirement)

If a platform uses blockchain or decentralized identifiers (DIDs) for identity:

2.5.1 Requirements

Platforms must:

ensure blockchain identity anchors map to a verified off-chain identity
support identity migration between chains where needed
provide inheritance workflows without requiring private key exposure
store no personal data directly on-chain
use hash anchoring or cryptographic attestations for continuity metadata

2.5.2 DID & VC Requirements

Platforms using DIDs or Verifiable Credentials must:

support revocable credentials
support transfer of authority under legal documentation
maintain audit logs of credential issuance and revocation

2.5.3 Key Loss & Recovery Requirements

Blockchain identity systems must implement:

multi-party key recovery
identity-based recovery
trustee-assisted recovery
cryptographic recovery workflows

Continuity must never depend on a single private key.

2.6 Identity Recovery & Revocation

Identity recovery ensures continuity despite:

device loss
key loss
authentication system failure
incapacitation
death
account seizure attempts
estate disputes
cross-jurisdictional conflicts

2.6.1 Recovery Requirements

Platforms must provide:

multi-factor recovery
identity-document-based recovery
contact-based recovery (trusted contacts)
legal document recovery (executor/trustee)
biometric fallback
blockchain recovery (if applicable)

Recovery must be:

auditable
secure
reversible
compliant with privacy laws
proportional to the authority level being restored

2.6.2 Revocation Requirements

Platforms must allow:

revocation of delegate rights
revocation of trustee rights
revocation of cryptographic credentials
revocation of AI-generated identity models
revocation of DIDs and VCs

Revocations must be:

logged
reversible if needed
legally compliant
propagated across all continuity systems

2.7 Identity Continuity Documentation

Platforms must provide:

continuity documentation workflows
identity continuity summaries
downloadable continuity plans
executor/trustee continuity packets
AI identity usage disclosures
blockchain continuity diagrams (if applicable)

Users and successors must be able to understand:

who can access which assets
under which conditions
using which identity layer
with what safeguards

SECTION 3 — DIGITAL ASSET CLASSIFICATION MODEL

3.1 Overview

The Digital Asset Classification Model establishes a standardized taxonomy for categorizing all digital assets relevant to estate planning, continuity, inheritance, identity preservation, and cross-generational transfer.

This taxonomy ensures:

clarity for users
uniformity for professionals
enforceable rules for platforms
consistent inheritance workflows
legal and regulatory alignment
accreditation compatibility
continuity across technologies, including blockchain

Digital assets must be classified into one or more of the categories defined herein.

3.2 Classification Principles

All digital assets should be classified according to:

3.2.1 Ownership Type

Individual
Joint ownership
Shared ownership
Corporate or SMB ownership
Distributed / decentralized ownership

3.2.2 Access Dependency

Password-based
Cryptographic key–based
Identity-based
Device-dependent
Multi-party access

3.2.3 Sensitivity Level

Highly sensitive
Moderately sensitive
Low sensitivity
Public

3.2.4 Continuity Priority

Critical continuity assets
High-value assets
Emotional continuity assets
Time-delayed or future release assets

3.2.5 Legal Constraints

Regulated
Contractually restricted
Jurisdiction-specific
Probate-restricted
Transfer-limited

Each classification determines which continuity workflows apply.

3.3 Asset Category 1 — Financial Digital Assets

Includes:

Online bank accounts
Investment portals
Digital brokerage accounts
Online mortgage, insurance, and pension systems
Payment platforms (PayPal, Stripe accounts, Wise, etc.)
Reward points and loyalty accounts (legally recognized digital value)
Accounting systems critical to SMB continuity

Continuity Requirements:

Must support legal appointment of executor/trustee
Access transfer must comply with financial regulations
Platforms must clearly define survivorship pathways

Cryptographic financial assets (crypto, tokenized securities) appear in Section 3.7.

3.4 Asset Category 2 — Communication & Social Identity Assets

Includes:

Email accounts
Messaging apps
Social media profiles
Contact lists
Personal communication history
Professional or influencer digital identity channels

Continuity Requirements:

Executors/trustees require limited access, not full impersonation
Platforms must support memorialization or closure
Identity-based continuity must prevent fraud or impersonation
AI-generated communication models must not operate post-mortem unless configured

These assets often connect to business and emotional continuity categories.

3.5 Asset Category 3 — Personal Data & Records

Includes:

Photos and videos
Cloud file storage
Educational records
Medical records
Password managers
Subscription accounts
Digital purchase history
Licenses and entitlements

Continuity Requirements:

Executors require access to inventory but not necessarily content
Beneficiaries require the ability to retrieve specific classes of data
Emotional assets (see 3.5.1) require special ethical handling

3.5.1 Emotional Digital Assets (Subcategory)

Emotional digital assets include:

Legacy letters
Future-dated messages
Story archives
AI-generated family memory models
Video diaries
Personal reflections or private messages for children/heirs
NFT-based emotional artifacts representing memories or relationships

Continuity Requirements:

Must support privacy-respecting inheritance
Must support time-delayed or staged release
Must support encryption
Must protect content from unauthorized access
Must preserve metadata (dates, intent, source)

Platforms must distinguish emotional inheritance from financial inheritance.

3.6 Asset Category 4 — AI-Generated Cognitive Assets

Includes:

AI memory models trained on the user’s data
AI-generated personal writing, voice, or likeness
AI personas
Predictive behavioral models
AI executive assistants holding proprietary knowledge
Cognitive datasets (“digital brain archives”)

Continuity Requirements:

Must support inheritance workflows
Must include allergy to misuse (AI must not impersonate user post-mortem unless explicitly authorized)
Must support revocation, deletion, or archival
Freezing models upon death may be required
Beneficiaries may inherit outputs, but not necessarily model rights

These assets require the strongest ethical governance in the Standard.

3.7 Asset Category 5 — Business & Operational Digital Assets

Includes:

SMB cloud systems
Internal documentation
CRM systems
Password managers for company accounts
Key operational software
Vendor accounts
Operational AI automations
Business identity credentials

Continuity Requirements:

Must support key-person risk reduction
Delegation must support SMB continuity
Executors must be able to triage accounts
Ownership must be preserved across business transitions

3.8 Asset Category 6 — Cryptographic & Blockchain Assets

Cryptographic digital assets include:

Cryptocurrency wallets
On-chain tokens
Fungible asset tokens
NFTs (including memory assets, tokenized documents, rights)
Decentralized identifiers (DIDs)
Smart-contract–bound assets
Tokenized legal titles (where applicable)

Continuity Requirements:

3.8.1 Wallet Requirements

Platforms must support:

multi-sig or MPC for inheritance
key recovery
delegated access rights
device-agnostic access
“continuity mode” in case of death/incapacity

3.8.2 Smart Contract Requirements

Smart contracts must be:

audited
upgradable under governance
capable of multi-party continuity triggers

3.8.3 NFT Requirements

NFTs used for:

documentation
emotional assets
identity anchors

must support:

metadata permanence
redaction (if required legally)
continuity workflows

3.8.4 Tokenized Rights

Tokenized property rights or digital titles must have:

cross-jurisdictional mapping
accessible continuity pathways
authenticated beneficiary proof

3.8.5 Disclosure Requirements

Platforms must inform users:

network location
immutability risks
continuity risks
identity recovery risks

3.9 Asset Category 7 — High-Risk Assets (Special Handling)

High-risk digital assets include:

Crypto wallets with no recovery
Password managers without backup
Cloud systems with no identity delegation
Unregulated digital assets
Platforms without continuity protocols
Accounts containing deepfake or synthetic media
AI agents capable of generating harmful content
Blockchain assets stored exclusively behind non-recoverable seed phrases

Continuity Requirements:

Require stronger verification
Must not rely on a single point of failure (e.g., one seed phrase)
Must support inheritance without compromising security
Must provide warnings and risk scoring to users

Platforms failing to meet these requirements cannot be accredited under DEPI.

3.10 Cross-Category & Compound Assets

Many digital assets fall into multiple categories simultaneously, e.g.:

crypto wallets that contain sentimental NFTs
cloud accounts storing financial statements + emotional videos
AI models trained on business and personal data
digital identities tied to financial accounts
NFT-bound property rights with emotional value

Platforms must:

preserve category distinctions
apply continuity workflows based on the strictest applicable category
ensure beneficiaries inherit only what they are authorized to access
preserve privacy for emotional or sensitive content

3.11 Continuity Metadata Requirements

All assets, regardless of type, must include metadata for:

category classification
continuity priority
sensitivity level
inheritance rules
asset ownership
audit trails
encryption state
storage location (on-chain, off-chain, hybrid)

Metadata must be:

consistent
exportable
interpretable by executors/trustees
compatible with DEPI-accredited platforms

3.12 Immersive AR/VR/XR Spatial Digital Assets (Immersive Continuity Assets)

Immersive digital assets include:

augmented reality (AR) memory objects
virtual reality (VR) environments
mixed-reality (XR) digital heirlooms
holographic recordings
volumetric spatial captures
immersive “life scenes” recorded by spatial computing devices
3D reconstructions of personal artifacts or events
AI-augmented immersive simulations representing the user

Continuity Requirements for Immersive Assets

Preservation Requirements
Spatial assets must preserve:

3D rendering metadata
device capture details
AI augmentation markers
continuity metadata

Inheritance Requirements
Immersive assets must support:

staged release
beneficiary-specific access
age gating for minors
encrypted delivery

Ethical Requirements
Immersive assets must not:

fabricate false memories
impersonate the deceased without authorization
expose sensitive content inadvertently

Technical Requirements
Platforms must offer:

exportable formats (.usdz, .glb, .mp4 fallback)
cross-platform compatibility
long-term rendering support

SECTION 4 — CONTINUITY LIFECYCLE MODEL

4.1 Overview

The Digital Continuity Lifecycle describes the complete sequence of processes required to protect, preserve, and transfer digital assets and identity layers throughout a user’s life, through incapacity, and after death.

The lifecycle includes:

Creation
Storage
Protection
Access Management
Delegation
Continuity Trigger Events
Transfer & Inheritance Execution
Archival Preservation
Post-Mortem Continuity Phase (newly added)
Destruction Protocols (when applicable)

This lifecycle applies to:

individuals
families
executors & trustees
professional advisors
digital continuity platforms
identity providers
SMBs
blockchain-integrated systems

4.2 Creation Phase

Digital assets are created through:

account creation
document generation
AI model training
file uploads
business operations
blockchain activity (wallets, NFTs, smart contracts)

Continuity Requirements:

Assets must be automatically classified when possible
Metadata must be attached upon creation
Assets must include initial ownership and access rules
AI assets must include ethical metadata (intended use, visibility, inheritance rules)
Blockchain assets must be linked to an identity layer that supports continuity

Platforms should automatically detect high-risk assets and warn the user.

4.3 Storage Phase

Digital assets may reside in:

cloud systems
local devices
password managers
blockchain networks
decentralized storage
hybrid environments

Continuity Requirements:

Storage systems must support metadata export
Storage must support continuity workflows
Assets must be retrievable by authorized parties
Backups must be encrypted
Cloud-based systems must not delete continuity-critical data prematurely

4.3.4 Blockchain Anchoring (Integrated)

If blockchain is used to anchor storage metadata:

Platforms must:

Store only NON-PII data on-chain
Use hash anchors instead of raw data
Provide versioning for updated metadata
Support “soft updates” for continuity (not breaking old chains)
Provide fallback if blockchain network is unavailable

Blockchain anchoring does not replace secure off-chain storage.

4.3.5 Immersive Storage Requirements

Spatial assets must include:

encrypted storage
versioning
fallback 2D representations
rendering compatibility safeguards

4.4 Protection Phase

Digital assets must be protected through:

encryption
access controls
device safeguards
MFA
cryptographic signatures
redundancy
data loss prevention

Continuity Requirements:

Protections must not prevent inheritance
Encryption keys must be recoverable by designated heirs (without exposing secrets)
Device-based security must include cross-device continuity
Identity-based protection must include successor pathways

Platforms must prevent continuity failures caused by:

lost keys
lost devices
account lockout

4.4.6 Cryptographic Access Continuity (Integrated)

If cryptographic keys control asset access:

Platforms must provide:

multi-sig / MPC–based inheritance
identity-based recovery
trustee onboarding without exposing private keys
emergency override mechanisms
continuity signals independent of device loss

Single point of failure = non-accreditable.

4.5 Delegation Phase

Delegation defines who may act on behalf of the user during:

life
incapacity
emergencies
after death

Delegation includes:

trusted contacts
continuity delegates
executors & trustees
business continuity officers
legal guardians
corporate administrators

Continuity Requirements:

Delegation rules must be granular
Delegates must be authenticated
All delegation must be logged
Delegation must support revocation
Delegates may not gain unauthorized access

Delegation is NOT equivalent to inheritance.

4.6 Continuity Trigger Events

Trigger events activate continuity processes.

Approved events include:

4.6.1 Life-Based Triggers

user-initiated continuity
time-based releases (e.g., message delivery)
life-event triggers (birthdays, milestones)

4.6.2 Emergency Triggers

medical incapacity
inability to authenticate
loss of device
risky anomaly detection

4.6.3 Death Triggers

official death certificate
verified obituary
verified hospital notification
court documentation
blockchain oracle triggering (if used)

4.6.4 Multi-Party Triggers

approval from trusted contacts
approval from executor
dual approval from heirs

Platforms must prevent malicious triggering.

4.7 Inheritance Execution Phase

Inheritance execution is the formal transfer of:

access
identity layers
account rights
cryptographic control
emotional digital assets
AI models
operational authority (SMB continuity)

Continuity Requirements:

Execution must follow legal orders
Asset category determines inheritance workflow
Smart contracts must support fallback or override
Executor must be provided tooling to triage assets
Identity must transfer without impersonation

Blockchain assets require:

multi-sig release
smart contract event execution
oracle-based verification (if applicable)

4.7.1 Immersive Asset Inheritance

Platforms must:

support staged or milestone-based delivery
protect minors from premature exposure
preserve immersive context
ensure no AI-generated post-mortem editing unless pre-approved

4.8 Archival Preservation Phase

Archival processes govern long-term retention of:

emotional digital assets
documents
financial history
family legacy data
AI identity models
blockchain proofs (hash anchors)

Continuity Requirements:

Archives must be encrypted
Archives must support export
Archives must be inheritable
Archives must not be deleted prematurely
AI models may be frozen in “post-mortem state”
Blockchain metadata must remain interpretable over time

4.9 Post-Mortem Continuity Phase

The Post-Mortem Continuity Phase begins upon verified death and continues until all continuity processes are completed.

4.9.1 Death Verification Protocols

Acceptable verification sources include:

certified death documents
medical authority verification
obituary validation
court documents
blockchain oracle verification (if configured)

Platforms must:

audit verification
log all events
prevent automatic activation from inactivity

4.9.2 Executor / Trustee Activation

Platforms must:

authenticate executor identity
verify legal authority
map authority to asset categories
allow limited or full access based on rules
log every continuity action

4.9.3 Post-Mortem Identity Transition

Identity rights transition to executor or trustee:

access rights
authentication rights
authority to delete/preserve
authority to manage AI assets
authority over continuity configurations

Transitions must be:

secure
reversible
auditable

4.9.4 Asset Transfer Protocols

Transfer includes:

digital asset release
smart contract execution
cryptographic key transition
release of emotional assets
staged releases (if configured)
business account triage

Blockchain assets require multi-party approval.

4.9.5 Post-Mortem Data Governance

Platforms must:

protect sensitive data of the deceased
support deletion or preservation
support revocation of old credentials
adhere to privacy laws
provide heirs with appropriate export capabilities

4.9.6 Fraud & Abuse Prevention

Systems must defend against:

false death claims
forged documents
impersonation
malicious heirs
premature asset release

Controls must include:

multi-party validation
delay timers (optional)
continuous monitoring

4.10 Destruction Phase

Some assets require secure destruction:

confidential files
sensitive emails
specific AI memory models
accounts flagged for deletion under estate plan
cryptographic keys no longer required

Destruction Requirements:

must be irreversible
must be logged
must not compromise continuity of other assets
must respect legal and ethical considerations

For blockchain, destruction may involve:

key burning
revoking authority
rendering smart contracts inactive
freezing associated assets

SECTION 5 — CONTINUITY WORKFLOWS

5.1 Overview

Continuity workflows provide repeatable, auditable, interoperable procedures for ensuring access to digital assets and identity layers through:

normal circumstances
emergencies
loss of device
incapacity
death
SMB operational failure
catastrophic or unexpected continuity events

These workflows ensure that:

users maintain control during life
designated delegates can act when necessary
executors and trustees can take lawful control
beneficiaries and successors can receive inherited assets
AI and blockchain systems execute continuity rules correctly
no single point of failure jeopardizes continuity

Each workflow must include:

authentication
verification
logging
authority mapping
rights assignment
access release
auditability

Platforms must implement each workflow without requiring users to manually orchestrate complex processes.

5.2 The Primary Continuity Workflow

This is the baseline workflow used for:

configuration
updates
identity transitions
continuity planning

5.2.1 Steps in the Primary Workflow

Identity Verification
The user verifies identity via MFA, cryptographic key, or institutional authentication.
Asset Discovery or Import
Assets are automatically detected or manually imported.
Classification (Section 3) is applied.
Continuity Configuration
The user configures:
- delegates
- triggers
- inheritance rules
- visibility rules
- emotional asset timing
- SMB continuity mappings
Metadata Binding
Continuity metadata is bound to the asset, off-chain or on-chain.
Backup Continuity Creation
Platforms must create fallback continuity paths.
Review & Finalization
Users review their Continuity Plan and confirm.

5.3 Emergency Access Workflow

Triggered when a user is:

medically incapacitated
temporarily unable to authenticate
unresponsive but not deceased
experiencing a technical lockout
in a crisis requiring third-party intervention

5.3.1 Emergency Workflow Steps

Trigger Event
- delegated request
- emergency contact request
- biometrics unavailable
- device lost
- risk engine detection
Identity Verification of Requestor
Strict but rapid verification.
Access Scope Determination
Only emergency-allowed assets are accessible.
Time-Limited Access Window
Access automatically closes unless extended.
Logging & Audit
Full transparency required.

Emergency access does not imply post-mortem rights.

5.4 Executor / Trustee Workflow

This workflow governs access by legally authorized successors.

5.4.1 Steps in the Executor Workflow

Submission of Legal Documentation
- death certificate
- letters testamentary
- trustee appointment
- court order
Identity Verification of Executor
Multifactor, document-based, biometric where available.
Authority Mapping
Asset categories determine what can be accessed.
Continuity Mode Activation
The system transitions to post-mortem or continuity governance mode.
Access Release
- read-only for sensitive assets
- full access for financial accounts where permitted
- operational access for SMB accounts
Inheritance Execution (Section 4.7)
Triggered according to legal and user-defined rules.
Audit & Logging
Every action is logged and timestamped.

5.5 Family Continuity Workflow

This focuses on:

emotional digital assets
legacy letters
future messages
memory archives
AI-generated identity or memory models
inheritance of sentimental content

5.5.1 Steps in the Family Workflow

Verification of Beneficiary Identity
(Non-financial, lower-bar verification allowed with restrictions.)
Visibility Rules Applied
Beneficiaries see only what they are allowed to see.
Staged Releases
Time-based or milestone-based release of letters, videos, messages, etc.
Ethical Handling of AI Models
AI memories or personas must:
- be frozen in post-mortem state
- not evolve without configuration
- be clearly labeled as AI assets
Download & Preservation Options
Families must be able to save emotional assets offline.
Permanent Archival Options
Platforms must support long-term preservation.

5.5.2 Immersive Memory Experience Delivery

Platforms must support inheritance of:

volumetric recordings
holographic messages
spatial family memories
with
encryption
staged exposure
emotional harm safeguards

5.6 SMB Continuity Workflow

For small and medium businesses, continuity workflows must ensure:

business operations continue
employees retain access
customers are not harmed
business data is preserved
digital identity is transferred to the successor

5.6.1 Steps in SMB Workflow

Key-Person Risk Identification
Identify individuals whose absence jeopardizes continuity.
Continuity Delegation Assignment
- IT administrator
- operations lead
- financial controller
Trigger Event
- incapacity
- death
- emergency
- offboarding
Identity Transition
Business accounts transition to continuity managers.
Operational Recovery
Systems brought back online.
Authority Reassessment
New leadership transitions must be recorded.

Platforms must prevent SMB shutdown due to sole-owner digital failure.

5.7 High-Risk Asset Workflow

High-risk assets include:

crypto wallets without recovery
smart-contract–locked assets
password vaults
cloud accounts controlling financial or legal operations
AI-powered accounts
blockchain assets protected only by a single seed phrase

5.7.1 Required Steps

Risk Classification
Mandatory Warning to User
Mandatory Backup & Recovery Plan
Mandatory Multi-Party Continuity
Mandatory Delegation or Executor Assignment
Increased Verification Upon Access Requests

Platforms must not allow the user to configure continuity that results in irreversible asset loss.

5.8 Post-Mortem Workflow

This workflow begins once death is verified.

5.8.1 Step 1 — Notification Event

Triggered by:

executor
trusted contact
legal authority
verified obituary
medical institution
oracle (for blockchain systems)

5.8.2 Step 2 — Verification & Validation

Platform must:

verify documentation
authenticate requestor
cross-reference estate plan
apply risk engine checks

5.8.3 Step 3 — Executor Identity Verification

Requires:

government ID
legal documents
MFA
biometric or VC credential verification

Hybrid verification allowed.

5.8.4 Step 4 — Continuity Mode Activation

Platform transitions to continuity mode:

user identity frozen
AI models frozen
triggers activated
delegates restricted
executor authority mapped

5.8.5 Step 5 — Asset Inventory Release

Executor receives:

categorized inventory
access levels per asset
emotional asset separations
AI asset summary

Assets are not immediately released; only the inventory is.

5.8.6 Step 6 — Inheritance Execution

Based on asset category:

For digital identity access:

limited view for executors

For financial assets:

full or partial release per legal rules

For emotional assets:

staged release
encrypted content delivery

For blockchain assets:

multi-sig release
key recovery workflows
smart contract execution logs

5.8.7 Step 7 — Account Closure or Preservation

Accounts closed per will, trust, or default protocol
Accounts preserved if configured
AI assets archived or deleted per directive

5.8.8 Step 8 — Final Audit & Reporting

Platforms must generate:

continuity logs
executor audit reports
asset transfer summaries
long-term preservation packets
certificate of inheritance completion

SECTION 6 — SMART CONTRACT & BLOCKCHAIN INHERITANCE FRAMEWORK

6.1 Overview

Smart contracts and blockchain-based mechanisms may be used to enhance continuity and inheritance workflows by offering:

tamper-proof execution
deterministic transfer of assets
verifiable event logs
multi-party access control
programmable inheritance logic
cryptographic assurance

However:

Smart contracts cannot replace legal estate authority and Blockchain inheritance must integrate with legal, ethical, and identity-continuity requirements.

This section defines the mandatory requirements for any platform that utilizes blockchain, smart contracts, wallets, DIDs, NFTs, or tokenized assets in continuity or inheritance processes.

6.2 Smart Contract Requirements

Smart contracts used for inheritance MUST comply with the following controls.

6.2.1 Mandatory Third-Party Audit

Before deployment, all inheritance-related smart contracts must be:

audited by a qualified security firm
validated for logic correctness
tested for attack vectors (re-entrancy, signature forgery, oracle manipulation, etc.)
analyzed for upgrade safety

Audit reports must be:

✔ retained by the platform
✔ made available to DEPI (upon accreditation review)
✔ summarized for end users in plain language

6.2.2 Deterministic Behavior

Smart contracts must:

behave predictably
execute only when conditions are met
not rely on ambiguous or unverifiable conditions
not allow unauthorized execution
ensure clear input/output states

Continuity rules must be machine-verifiable.

6.2.3 Human Override & Governance Controls

Smart contracts MUST support human override when:

disputes arise
legal authority supersedes contract logic
documents contradict contract assumptions
fraud is detected
death is incorrectly reported
oracles fail
beneficiaries contest the transfer

Override execution must be logged and require multi-party approval (executor + platform OR platform + DEPI-recognized continuity governance body).

6.2.4 Upgradeable & Governance-Controlled Contracts

All smart contracts must:

be upgradeable OR
include proxy-based governance mechanisms OR
allow migration while preserving state continuity

This protects users from:

outdated inheritance logic
contract vulnerabilities
evolving legal requirements
multi-jurisdictional compliance updates

Immutable smart contracts cannot be used for inheritance unless they include a DEPI-approved override framework.

6.3 Blockchain Identity Requirements

Smart contract inheritance depends on identity correctness. Platforms must:

✔ map smart contract roles to off-chain identity

✔ support DIDs or VCs where appropriate

✔ verify executor or beneficiary roles before granting on-chain authority

✔ provide cryptographic attestations during inheritance execution

Identity verification must precede contract execution.

6.4 Trigger Systems for Smart Contract Inheritance

Smart contracts may only execute continuity rules upon legitimate, verified triggers.

Triggers fall into:

Time-Based Triggers
Event-Based Triggers
Multi-Party Approval Triggers
Oracle-Based Triggers

6.4.1 Time-Based Triggers

Time-based smart contract triggers must include:

user-defined release dates
time-locked delivery
milestone-based releases
future messages/memories release

Protection Requirements:

user ability to modify or revoke time triggers
delayed execution allowing objection windows
multi-party override in emergencies

6.4.2 Event-Based Triggers

Event triggers include:

medical incapacity
business continuity events
trustee activation
SMB key-person loss
regulatory events

Event verification must:

be logged
be reversible
include multi-factor identity validation

6.4.3 Oracle Triggers (Blockchain Integration)

Oracles must:

be tamper-resistant
provide proof-of-origin
support redundancy
require multi-attestation for death verification
prevent trigger spoofing

Oracles must NOT rely solely on:

inactivity
user silence
single-source data
unverifiable online claims

Oracles must support dispute resolution and override.

6.4.4 Multi-Party Approval Triggers

Inheritance must support multi-party approvals, such as:

executor + platform
executor + beneficiary
platform + trusted contact
legal authority + platform

This reduces risk of unilateral malicious action.

6.5 Continuity Logic & Role Assignment

Smart contract inheritance requires clear role definitions:

6.5.1 Contract Roles

Contract Owner (user)
Executor/Trustee
Beneficiaries
Delegates
Guardian roles (optional)

6.5.2 Authority Mapping

Authority mapping determines:

who can modify contracts
who can approve execution
who can revoke access
who can trigger override

Mapping must reflect legal documents (will, trust, POA, etc.).

6.6 Key Management Requirements

If smart contracts rely on cryptographic keys:

6.6.1 Multi-Sig / MPC Requirements

Platforms MUST support continuity-friendly key systems:

multi-signature wallets
MPC-based splitting
shard-based recovery
hierarchical key structures
backup keys stored securely by executor or platform

6.6.2 Executor Key Acquisition

Executors must never:

require access to the user’s private keys
need the user’s device
bypass continuity rules to obtain keys

Key inheritance must occur via delegated authority, not secret sharing.

6.7 Smart Contract Execution Requirements

Before contract execution, platforms must verify:

authenticity of trigger event
legal authority
identity of executor or beneficiary
absence of disputes
override eligibility (in case of conflicts)

Post-execution:

state changes must be logged
beneficiaries must receive cryptographic proof
residual contract functions must be disabled when appropriate

6.8 Auditability & Transparency

Smart contract inheritance must include:

6.8.1 On-Chain Event Logs

Logs must record:

event triggers
inheritance actions
approvals
denials
overrides
transaction hashes
timestamps

Logs must be:

✔ human-readable
✔ exportable
✔ legally admissible

6.8.2 Off-Chain Continuity Logs

Required for:

identity verification
document validation
disputes
recovery events
manual override
cross-border inheritance events

Off-chain logs must link to on-chain events via hash references.

6.9 Special Requirements for NFT-Based Emotional or Memory Assets

Where NFTs represent personal memories, emotional content, or family legacy:

Continuity Requirements

metadata permanence
encrypted storage of sensitive content
no public-chain exposure of private assets
staged release (time-based or milestone-based)
explicit ethical configuration
redaction support where legally required

Platforms must prevent:

unauthorized post-mortem access
AI manipulation of emotional NFTs without user consent

6.10 Legal, Regulatory & Ethical Alignment

Smart-contract inheritance DOES NOT override:

wills
trusts
probate orders
estate laws
GDPR
privacy rights
AI ethics frameworks

Smart contracts must be subordinate to legal authority.

Platforms must ensure:

smart contract logic aligns with user’s legal estate plan
executors can override code under legal mandate
cross-border inheritance rules are respected
AI/identity continuity remains ethical and transparent

6.11 Prohibited Smart Contract Practices

Platforms MAY NOT use smart contracts that:

automatically transfer assets upon inactivity
expose private keys
lack override mechanisms
require irreversible execution
misalign with legal authority
use unverifiable oracles
store personal data on-chain
bypass executor verification
allow unrestricted beneficiary access

Noncompliance results in non-accreditation under DEPI.

SECTION 7 — RISK MANAGEMENT & SECURITY CONTROLS

7.1 Overview

Digital continuity requires a robust, multi-layered security and risk-management framework that protects:

identity
access
digital assets
emotional and AI assets
cryptographic materials
continuity workflows
inheritance processes
family and SMB digital operations

Platforms and professionals must implement a risk-based, defense-in-depth model that supports:

life-phase continuity
incapacity continuity
post-mortem continuity
legal compliance
cyber resilience
multi-party authority
technology neutrality
blockchain-appropriate controls

Security controls MUST NOT impair continuity.
Continuity controls MUST NOT weaken security.

The goal is secure continuity, not continuity at the cost of security.

7.2 Risk Assessment Framework

All platforms must implement a formal, documented risk-assessment methodology that includes:

identification of asset categories (Section 3)
risk scoring
continuity impact assessment
threat modeling
inheritance scenarios
identity failure modes
blockchain-specific risk (if applicable)
AI-legacy risk assessment

Risk assessments must be updated annually, or sooner if:

major features change
legal frameworks evolve
new cryptographic risks emerge
new AI behavior patterns are introduced

7.2.1 Threat Categories

Threats include:

Technical Threats

account takeover
credential theft
session hijacking
device compromise
API misuse
smart contract exploit
cryptographic key exposure

Human Threats

malicious heirs
insider abuse
executor impersonation
trustee misrepresentation
social engineering attacks
phishing attacks

Operational Threats

service outages
data corruption
cloud provider failure
blockchain network downtime
continuity misconfiguration

Legal Threats

disputed wills or trusts
jurisdictional incompatibility
conflicting beneficiaries
misaligned inheritance triggers
probate freezes on digital assets

AI-Related Threats

AI impersonation of the deceased
hallucinated or altered AI memories
synthetic identity risk
misuse of AI persona post-mortem

7.2.4 Blockchain-Specific Threat Modeling (Integrated Requirement)

Platforms using blockchain MUST additionally assess:

smart contract vulnerabilities
oracle manipulation
chain reorganization / rollback
seed phrase loss
signature forgery
key mismanagement
cold-storage continuity failure
custodial vs non-custodial risk
NFT metadata loss

High-risk blockchain inheritance workflows cannot be accredited unless they include MPC, multi-sig, and recovery pathways.

7.2.7 Immersive Asset Risk Factors

Consider risks related to:

deepfake spatial impersonation
unauthorized holographic simulation
psychological impact
sensitive spatial detail leakage
volumetric capture privacy

7.3 Security Controls

Platforms must implement advanced security controls across:

7.3.1 Encryption Requirements

All continuity-relevant data must be encrypted:

in transit (TLS 1.2+)
at rest (AES-256 or stronger)
within backups
in transit between services

Encryption keys must never:

be stored in plaintext
be accessible to unauthorized roles
be used as inheritance triggers themselves

7.3.2 Access Control Requirements

Access must be enforced using:

MFA
role-based access control (RBAC)
least-privilege principles
robust permission auditing
account isolation

Control requirements apply to:

users
delegates
executors
trustees
administrators
platform developers

7.3.3 Zero-Knowledge Access Principles

If a platform claims zero-knowledge architecture:

the platform must never have the ability to decrypt user content
continuity pathways must not require private keys to be shared
inheritance must occur through authority mapping, not secret disclosure

Platforms must document all zero-knowledge exceptions.

7.3.4 On-Chain Encryption & Privacy (Integrated Requirement)

Blockchain-based systems must:

never store personal data on public chains
use hash anchoring instead of plaintext storage
encrypt sensitive content off-chain
use zero-knowledge proofs where appropriate
ensure GDPR, CCPA, and eIDAS compliance

Blockchain immutability must not conflict with deletion rights.

7.3.8 Spatial Privacy Controls

Platforms must:

redact sensitive background elements
encrypt volumetric frames
prevent unauthorized 3D reconstruction

7.4 Identity & Key Management Controls

Identity and key management directly affect continuity integrity.

7.4.1 Identity Integrity Requirements

Platforms must:

verify user identity at onboarding
verify executor identity during inheritance
validate delegates through MFA or VC credentials
maintain identity continuity across device and account transfers

7.4.2 Key Storage Requirements

Keys controlling continuity must:

be encrypted
use hardware-backed secure storage if possible
never be exposed to unauthorized parties
use key rotation when risk is detected

7.4.3 Continuity-Focused Key Recovery (Integrated Requirement)

Key recovery is mandatory for:

blockchain assets
cryptographic identity systems
encrypted emotional assets
AI memory archives

Recovery methods can include:

multi-sig
MPC
shard recovery
identity-verified recovery
executor-assisted recovery

No platform may rely solely on a single seed phrase.

7.5 Monitoring & Anomaly Detection

Continuity systems must include:

7.5.1 Session Monitoring

unusual access patterns
unusual geographic access
multiple failed login attempts

7.5.2 Risk Scoring

Platforms must dynamically score:

delegate actions
executor actions
post-mortem access requests
account anomalies

7.5.3 Behavioral Detection

For AI-enabled systems:

detect unauthorized AI actions
detect attempts to impersonate deceased individuals
detect changes in AI model behavior

7.6 Incident Response Requirements

Platforms must maintain an incident response plan for:

account compromise
key compromise
fraudulent executor activation
inheritance disputes
smart contract exploits
blockchain network downtime
AI model corruption
major outages

Incident response must include:

containment
user notification
audit-level documentation
legal escalation (if needed)
continuity restoration

Continuity must not be permanently interrupted by incidents.

7.7 Vendor & Third-Party Risk Management

Digital continuity depends on vendors such as:

cloud providers
identity verification services
blockchain networks
API providers
AI model hosting services
storage systems

Platforms must:

assess vendor risk
maintain SLAs
evaluate vendor continuity
enforce encryption requirements
monitor provider performance
maintain secondary providers for redundancy

Vendor failures must not compromise estate continuity.

7.8 Post-Mortem Access Security Controls

Platforms must implement specialized controls to safeguard post-mortem workflows.

7.8.1 Death Verification Protection

Systems must:

require multi-factor verification
validate documents
evaluate risk indicators
check for early or fraudulent reporting

7.8.2 Executor/Trustee Access Controls

Must include:

identity proofing
legal authority checks
granular access scopes
audit logs

7.8.3 AI Post-Mortem Safeguards

Platforms must ensure AI does:

not impersonate the deceased
not create new content post-mortem unless authorized
not generate harmful or misleading output

AI memory models may need to be frozen at death.

7.8.4 Smart Contract Safeguards

Smart contracts must:

require human approval
allow legal override
disable auto-trigger inheritance based solely on time
log all execution steps

7.8.5 Multi-Party Approval

High-risk actions must require:

executor + platform approval
or
executor + beneficiary
or
executor + DEPI-accredited governance module

7.9 Security Logging & Audit Requirements

All continuity-relevant actions must be logged, including:

7.9.1 Identity Events

authentication
recovery
delegations
revocations

7.9.2 Inheritance Events

trigger verification
authority mapping
asset release
key transitions

7.9.3 Cryptographic Events

blockchain event logs
smart contract execution
oracle results
multi-sig approvals

7.9.4 AI Events

model access
model update
memory archive access

Logs must be:

✔ append-only
✔ exportable
✔ tamper-resistant
✔ stored for a minimum of 7 years

7.10 Security Requirements for Emotional Digital Assets

Emotional assets (letters, videos, memory messages, AI-generated family content) require special rules:

encryption required
no default visibility for beneficiaries
staged, timed, or conditional release
sensitive content protected from unauthorized parties
content must not be leaked via metadata
AI-based emotional content must be explicitly configured

Emotional assets are treated as high-sensitivity by default.

7.11 Security Requirements for AI-Generated Cognitive Assets

AI identity assets require stricter controls:

prevent unauthorized use of AI persona
freeze model post-mortem unless release is configured
prevent harmful AI behavior
allow beneficiaries to inherit outputs, not necessarily model rights
protect training data
allow deletion under legal authority

AI integrity is a continuity issue.

7.12 High-Risk Asset Security Requirements

High-risk assets (crypto-only wallets, unrecoverable password vaults, etc.) must:

use multi-party controls
reject single-seed-phrase systems for accreditation
include enhanced KYC
include restricted access policies
include warnings to the user
require continuity configuration before accreditation

Platforms failing to meet these controls cannot be DEPI-accredited.

SECTION 8 — ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DIGITAL CONTINUITY PLATFORMS

8.1 Overview

This section defines the criteria and controls required for DEPI Accreditation, a formal process that evaluates whether a digital continuity platform or tool adheres to industry-wide standards governing:

security
identity continuity
inheritance workflows
data integrity
consumer protection
AI-legacy management
blockchain or cryptographic components
emotional asset handling
regulatory alignment

Accreditation under DEPI is voluntary but strongly recommended for:

digital vaults
inheritance platforms
continuity & identity systems
blockchain-based continuity solutions
AI-persona / memory systems
SMB continuity tools
custodial and non-custodial digital asset systems

Accreditation ensures trust, transparency, safety, and interoperability across the digital estate ecosystem.

8.2 Accreditation Structure

DEPI evaluates platforms across 8 Core Domains:

Security & Encryption Controls
Identity Continuity & Delegation Systems
Continuity Workflows
Inheritance Execution Controls
Data Management, Integrity & Retention
AI, Emotional, & Cognitive Asset Governance
Blockchain & Cryptographic Controls (If Applicable)
User Protection, Transparency & Ethics

Platforms must meet minimum compliance in all domains and enhanced compliance in domains relevant to their architecture (e.g., blockchain, AI).

8.3 Domain 1 — Security & Encryption Controls

Platforms MUST implement:

8.3.1 Encryption Standards

AES-256 or stronger at rest
TLS 1.2+ in transit
Encrypted backups
Hardware-backed key storage where available

8.3.2 Access Security

MFA across all privileged access
Session monitoring
Role-based access controls
Least-privilege enforcement

8.3.3 Secrets Management

Encrypted secret storage
No plaintext credential storage
Rotation policies for compromised secrets

8.3.4 System Integrity

Mandatory code review
Continuous vulnerability scanning
Annual penetration testing

Platforms must prove these controls through documentation and audit testing.

8.4 Domain 2 — Identity Continuity & Delegation Systems

Platforms must demonstrate:

8.4.1 Identity Verification

KYC/KYB processes
Multi-factor authentication
Identity recovery mechanisms
Executor identity verification

8.4.2 Delegation Controls

Pre-death delegation
Incapacity delegation
Post-mortem executor/trustee assignment
Granular permission scopes

8.4.3 Identity Mapping

Mapping of:

user
delegates
executors
business continuity officers

must be stored in continuity metadata.

8.4.4 Device Independence

Identity access must not be tied to:

a single device
a single phone number
a single authentication token

8.5 Domain 3 — Continuity Workflows

Platforms must support the following workflows fully and accurately:

8.5.1 Primary Continuity Workflow

Users must be able to configure:

asset categories
delegation rules
inheritance preferences
emotional asset handling
AI continuity

8.5.2 Emergency Workflow

Platforms must provide emergency access that is:

time-limited
monitored
logged

8.5.3 Incapacity Workflow

Platforms must support:

legal incapacity proof
restricted access for caregivers
continuity without impersonation

8.5.4 Post-Mortem Workflow

Platforms must:

verify death
authenticate executor
transition identity
release assets according to user rules
log all actions

8.5.5 SMB Workflow

Platforms must support:

key-person delegation
operational continuity
account transition

8.6 Domain 4 — Inheritance Execution Controls

Platforms must:

8.6.1 Validate Legal Authority

will
trust
letters testamentary
court orders

8.6.2 Enforce Asset-Specific Rules

Financial, emotional, AI, and business assets must follow different inheritance rules aligned with Section 3.

8.6.3 Limit Unauthorized Access

Platforms must ensure:

executors cannot see private emotional assets unless authorized
beneficiaries cannot access restricted categories
SMB continuity managers cannot access personal assets

8.6.4 Provide Exportable Evidence

Platforms must provide:

inheritance reports
chain-of-custody logs
identity verification logs
cryptographic proofs (if blockchain)

8.7 Domain 5 — Data Management, Integrity & Retention

Platforms must:

8.7.1 Maintain Data Integrity

versioning
integrity checks
tamper-evident logs

8.7.2 Manage Metadata Properly

Metadata must include:

asset category
continuity rules
visibility rules
retention schedule
encryption status
storage location

8.7.3 Support User-Level Data Control

Users must be able to:

export data
update continuity rules
revoke delegates
delete content (with legal limitations)

8.7.4 Retention & Archival

emotional assets preserved as configured
AI models frozen or archived
logs retained for 7+ years

8.8 Domain 6 — AI, Emotional & Cognitive Asset Governance

If a platform handles emotional or AI-generated assets, it must demonstrate:

8.8.1 Ethical Handling of Emotional Digital Assets

encryption
staged releases
inheritance-level control
privacy preservation
metadata preservation

8.8.2 AI Continuity Controls

freeze models post-mortem unless authorized
do not impersonate the deceased
preserve training data integrity
allow deletion or revocation
prevent AI from generating post-mortem content without consent

8.8.3 Synthetic Identity & Deepfake Protection

Platforms must implement:

detection tools
warning systems
identity-verification checks
anti-abuse controls

8.8.4 Immersive Asset Governance Requirements

Platforms handling AR/VR/XR assets must demonstrate:

encrypted spatial storage
ethical staging mechanisms
minor protection policies
AI augmentation labeling
continuity across device generations

8.9 Domain 7 — Blockchain & Cryptographic Controls (If Applicable)

If a platform uses blockchain, smart contracts, NFTs, wallets, or cryptographic identity:

8.9.1 Key Management

multi-sig or MPC mandatory
key recovery mechanisms required
no single-seed-phrase dependency allowed for accreditation

8.9.2 Smart Contract Controls

Contracts must be:

audited
upgradeable
override-capable
deterministic
transparent

8.9.3 Oracle Integrity

Oracles must:

be tamper-proof
rely on multi-attestation
support dispute resolution

8.9.4 NFT Metadata Integrity

NFTs used for emotional, identity, or continuity metadata must:

not store sensitive data publicly
support preservation
support lawful deletion

8.9.5 Auditability

Platforms must offer:

blockchain event logs
continuity chain-of-custody
hash proofs of off-chain data

Platforms failing to meet blockchain continuity standards cannot be DEPI-accredited.

8.9.6 Tokenized Immersive Assets (If Applicable)

If immersive assets are NFT-backed, platforms must:

store no volumetric data on-chain
use off-chain encrypted storage
enforce authenticity provenance

8.10 Domain 8 — User Protection, Transparency & Ethics

Platforms must:

8.10.1 Provide Full Transparency

Users must understand:

what data is stored
where it is stored
who can access it
continuity rules
inheritance triggers
risks specific to blockchain or AI

8.10.2 Provide Risk Disclosures

Platforms must disclose:

risk of asset loss
risk of key loss
smart contract risk
AI impersonation risk
continuity limitations

8.10.3 Provide Clear User Controls

Users must be able to:

configure continuity
modify rules
revoke delegates
export or delete assets
freeze AI models

8.10.4 Adhere to Ethical Standards

Platforms must:

honor privacy
not manipulate emotional assets
protect minors inheriting digital assets
ensure AI-generated content is labeled

8.11 Accreditation Tiers

Platforms may receive:

8.11.1 Tier 1 — DEPI Accredited Digital Continuity System™

Full compliance across all applicable domains.

8.11.2 Tier 2 — DEPI Accredited (Conditional)

Conditional approval if:

minor gaps exist
roadmap exists to fix them
no continuity-critical risks are present

8.11.3 Tier 3 — DEPI Not Accredited

Reasons include:

single-seed-phrase design
missing inheritance workflows
poor identity verification
storing sensitive data on public blockchains
no AI safeguards
no emergency or incapacity workflow

8.12 Accreditation Process

Platforms must undergo:

8.12.1 Application Submission

technical architecture
policy documentation
security practices
continuity workflow diagrams
smart contract code (if applicable)

8.12.2 Review & Testing

DEPI reviews:

documentation
security controls
identity workflows
blockchain components
AI assets
UX for inheritance

8.12.3 Interview

Platform leadership must attend a DEPI review interview.

8.12.4 Remediation Window

If issues are discovered, DEPI may grant a corrections period.

8.12.5 Final Determination

A platform receives:

Accredited
Accredited (Conditional)
Not Accredited

⭐ 8.13 Renewal & Ongoing Compliance

Platforms must:

undergo annual compliance reviews
submit updated documentation for major releases
disclose security incidents to DEPI
maintain user protection commitments

Failure to maintain compliance revokes accreditation.

9.1 Overview

Digital estate continuity introduces ethical considerations beyond traditional estate planning, including:

post-mortem dignity
AI-generated identity preservation
intergenerational emotional impact
autonomy over digital memories
privacy and consent of the deceased
ethical use of continuity metadata
responsibilities of executors, trustees, and delegates
rights of heirs and beneficiaries
boundaries for AI personas and cognitive assets

The DEPI Ethics Framework defines minimum ethical, privacy, and governance requirements for:

platforms
practitioners
fiduciaries
AI systems
blockchain-based continuity tools
accredited continuity systems

Compliance is mandatory for DEPI accreditation and certification.

9.2 Core Ethical Principles of Digital Continuity

All DEPI-aligned platforms and professionals must adhere to nine foundational ethical principles.

9.2.1 Autonomy

The individual must retain control over:

their digital identity
continuity instructions
emotional digital assets
AI-personas derived from their data

No system may override the user’s explicit continuity settings, except by court order.

9.2.2 Informed Consent

Users must understand:

what continuity means
who will gain access
what assets will transfer
how AI may behave post-mortem
how blockchain immutability affects inheritance
how metadata may be preserved indefinitely

Platforms must provide clarity, not obscurity.

9.2.3 Dignity of the Deceased

Digital systems must never:

exploit the deceased
impersonate them for commercial gain
alter AI personas in misleading ways
expose private emotional content without authorization

Legacy dignity is paramount.

9.2.4 Privacy & Confidentiality

Even after death, privacy rights must be respected.

Platforms must:

restrict access to sensitive content
separate emotional content from general access
encrypt all emotionally sensitive data
ensure AI memories or personas cannot be misused

Privacy persists beyond death.

9.2.5 Beneficiary Protection

Beneficiaries must be protected from:

inappropriate emotional content
digital manipulation
unmanaged AI content
dangerous financial assets
incomplete or inaccurate continuity data

The goal is protection, not burden.

9.2.6 Fairness & Non-Discrimination

Systems must not:

privilege one heir incorrectly
discriminate by geography, gender, age, or identity
restrict inheritance arbitrarily

Continuity pathways must reflect the user’s wishes and legal authority.

9.2.7 Transparency

Platforms must disclose:

continuity processes
AI content behaviors
blockchain usage
smart contract logic (in plain language)
identity handling
key recovery mechanisms

No “black box” inheritance.

9.2.8 Accountability

Executors, trustees, continuity delegates, and platforms are accountable for:

lawful handling of assets
ethical preservation
correct distribution
maintaining audit trails
respecting user intent

Accountability must be enforceable.

9.2.9 Non-Exploitation

No stakeholder may:

use inheritance systems for personal gain
manipulate beneficiaries
harvest data of the deceased
use AI versions of the deceased for business purposes
promote unethical emotional interactions

Ethical boundaries must be explicit and enforced.

9.3 Ethical Handling of AI-Generated Identity & Memory Assets

AI-generated content presents unique ethical challenges.

Platforms must apply strict governance for:

AI memory models
AI persona bots
predictive behavior engines
voice or likeness models
generative emotional assets
autobiographical models

9.3.1 Model Freezing Requirement

Upon death:

AI models must be frozen unless explicitly authorized for continued operation.

Freezing prevents:

uncontrolled evolution
inaccurate personality drift
unintended impersonation
exploitation of the deceased’s identity

9.3.2 Controlled Post-Mortem AI Behavior

If the user authorizes AI activity after death:

models must be clearly labeled as AI
beneficiaries must receive disclaimers
emotional safeguards must exist
no commercial usage allowed unless explicitly permitted
output must not misrepresent legal intent

Platforms must ensure AI never:

makes financial decisions
influences legal processes
imitates the deceased deceptively
manipulates vulnerable beneficiaries

9.3.3 Ethical AI Output Controls

AI assets must:

filter harmful content
avoid rewriting personal history
provide accurate, unaltered memory summaries
prevent hallucinated advice being treated as real estate instructions

AI cannot override legal estate documents.

9.3.4 Data Minimization

Only essential training data should be used for AI memories.

Highly sensitive data must be:

excluded
encrypted
subject to deletion under user or executor authority

9.4 Emotional Digital Asset Ethics

Emotional assets include:

letters
videos
time-delayed messages
legacy content for children
NFT-based memory assets
AI-generated emotional archives

These require heightened ethical care.

9.4.1 Protection from Inappropriate Disclosure

Platforms must:

restrict emotional assets from executors unless authorized
release emotional content only to intended recipients
enforce staging, timing, or milestone gates
encrypt all emotional content

9.4.2 Intergenerational Timing Ethics

For children or minors:

content may be delayed until a specified age
content may be staged over years
guardians may NOT override these settings

The user’s emotional intent is binding.

9.4.3 Avoidance of Harm

Platforms must ensure emotional content does not:

cause psychological harm
deliberately manipulate heirs
include abusive or damaging content without safeguards
violate privacy of third parties

Ethical review is permitted when systems detect high-risk content.

9.4.4 Immersive Emotional Asset Ethics

Platforms must ensure immersive/holographic assets:

do not mislead heirs
clearly label AI involvement
reflect authentic legacy content
avoid manipulation or distortion

9.5 Consent, Rights & Revocation

9.5.1 Consent Framework

Consent must be:

explicit
documented
revocable
asset-specific

Platforms cannot rely on “blanket” consent.

9.5.2 Revocation Rights

Users must be able to:

revoke delegates
revoke executor consent (before death)
revoke emotional asset access
revoke AI post-mortem activity
revoke blockchain execution triggers

Revocation must propagate across all continuity systems.

9.5.3 Heirs’ Rights

Heirs have rights to:

see clear continuity logs
receive assets legally designated
challenge unethical or inaccurate AI-inheritance content
request correction of inherited digital misinformation

Heirs do not have default rights to emotional or private content.

9.5.4 Executor Duties Under DEPI

Executors must:

honor privacy
act without exploitation
protect emotional data
disclose actions to beneficiaries when appropriate
follow legal authority
preserve audit logs

Executors cannot use continuity systems for personal gain.

9.6 Ethical Use of Blockchain in Inheritance

Blockchain-based inheritance must preserve:

consent
legal compliance
privacy
reversibility
dignity
transparency

Platforms must avoid:

irreversible errors
unverified triggers
auto-transfer without human confirmation
storing sensitive content on-chain
exploiting beneficiaries with complex or unsafe blockchain mechanics

DEPI requires a human-in-the-loop for all inheritance-critical blockchain actions.

9.7 Digital Dignity & Post-Mortem Governance

Digital dignity applies to the deceased, their heirs, and their community.

Platforms must support:

9.7.1 Right to Be Remembered

Emotional assets must be preserved when the user requests it.

9.7.2 Right to Erasure

The deceased’s prior instructions override default archival policies unless prohibited by law.

9.7.3 Right to Transparency

Executors must know what assets exist and how to process them.

9.7.4 Right to Non-Impersonation

AI systems cannot impersonate the deceased unless explicitly configured and ethically constrained.

9.7.5 Right to Accurate Legacy

Platforms must not modify:

AI memories
personal content
historical materials

unless authorized.

9.7.6 Immersive Presence Ethics

Post-mortem holographic or volumetric reconstructions must:

be used only if explicitly authorized
never impersonate the deceased without disclosure
avoid generating new simulated “memories”
respect cultural and personal dignity standards

9.8 Ethical Requirements for Practitioners & Professionals

Estate planners, advisors, fiduciaries, and DEPI-certified professionals must:

avoid conflicts of interest
disclose platform affiliations
maintain confidentiality
avoid promoting their products over competitor tools
avoid coercing users into specific continuity configurations
maintain neutrality in multi-heir disputes
follow DEPI governance principles

Violations may result in:

certification revocation
membership suspension
reporting to regulatory bodies

9.9 Ethical Requirements for Platforms

Accredited platforms must:

implement DEPI’s ethical rules
provide user-first design
avoid dark patterns
not exploit bereaved families
not commercialize AI personas
not mine heirs’ emotional content
not collect unnecessary sensitive data
provide transparency over data lifecycle

Platforms violating these requirements lose accreditation.

9.10 Global Governance & Cultural Sensitivity

Digital inheritance occurs across cultural, religious, and legal boundaries.

Platforms must:

respect cultural variations
localize emotional-content handling
support multi-jurisdictional estate processes
provide inclusivity for non-Western inheritance norms

DEPI will maintain a Cultural Governance Appendix for regional adaptation.

SECTION 10 — REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE ALIGNMENT

10.1 Overview

Digital estate continuity operates at the intersection of:

traditional estate law
digital identity regulations
privacy and data protection law
cybersecurity frameworks
blockchain and cryptographic regulation
AI governance and ethics
cross-border inheritance rules

This section provides a Regulatory Alignment Framework ensuring that DEPI compliance supports — and never contradicts — applicable laws across jurisdictions.

DEPI is technology-neutral and jurisdiction-neutral.
Compliance requires adherence to this Standard in harmony with governing legal authority.

10.2 Legal Hierarchy & Precedence Rules

Continuity systems must follow this hierarchy:

10.2.1 Governing Law of the Estate

Wills, trusts, and court orders supersede platform-level continuity settings.

10.2.2 Jurisdictional Probate Authority

Local laws govern:

inheritance rights
documentation requirements
executor authority
digital asset access rules

10.2.3 Statutory Digital Asset Frameworks

Platforms must follow:

RUFADAA (U.S.)
GDPR (EU)
eIDAS 2.0 (EU identity)
HIPAA (U.S. medical data)
local data protection laws
local succession laws

10.2.4 Platform Contracts

10.2.5 User Continuity Instructions

Binding unless overridden by law.

10.2.6 Technical Rules & Smart Contracts

Smart contract logic must always defer to legal authority.

10.3 U.S. Regulatory Alignment

Digital estate continuity intersects with multiple U.S. frameworks.

10.3.1 RUFADAA (Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act)

Platforms must:

distinguish between content and catalogue information
allow fiduciary access consistent with user directives
require proper legal documentation
avoid giving executors higher privileges than authorized
support revocation of legacy credentials

10.3.2 Federal Privacy Laws (HIPAA, GLBA, COPPA, etc.)

Platforms must:

restrict health-related data access
protect minor children from privacy breaches
comply with financial data handling restrictions

10.3.3 ESIGN & UETA

Platforms supporting electronic signatures must:

ensure records are accessible
maintain permanent audit trails
support long-term verification

10.3.4 Federal & State Blockchain Regulations

Platforms must:

disclose where blockchain networks operate
comply with KYC/AML for financial assets
support subpoena compliance
ensure tokenized rights reflect actual legal ownership

10.4 European Union (EU) Regulatory Alignment

10.4.1 GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

Key requirements:

data minimization
data subject rights
lawful basis for processing
right to rectification
right to erasure (post-mortem requests delegated to executors)
breach reporting within 72 hours

Platforms must support executor-driven GDPR requests post-mortem.

10.4.2 eIDAS 2.0 (Digital Identity Regulation)

Platforms must:

support digital identity wallets
integrate VCs (Verifiable Credentials)
align decentralized identity systems with EU identity trust frameworks

10.4.3 EU Digital Markets Act & Digital Services Act

Platforms must:

provide transparency in algorithms
support exportability of user data
protect users from digital manipulation
enforce content governance for AI assets

10.5 Asia-Pacific Regulatory Alignment

The Asia-Pacific region contains rapidly evolving digital asset and AI regulations.

Platforms must align with:

Singapore PDPA
Australia Privacy Act
New Zealand Privacy Framework
Japan Digital Asset Regulations
South Korea PIPA
India’s DPDP Act

Key requirements:

localized data transfers
explicit consent models
restrictions on biometric and genetic data
digital executor compliance

10.6 LATAM Regulatory Alignment

Countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia have unique succession and digital privacy laws.

Platforms must support:

civil law–based inheritance
mandatory executor authority validation
LGPD (Brazil) compliance for data processing
localization of data processing where required

Blockchain usage must consider:

tax implications
restrictions on tokenized securities

10.7 Cross-Border Digital Estate Conflicts

Cross-border estates raise conflicts in:

identity
jurisdiction
asset classification
inheritance rights
executor recognition
recognition of smart contract triggers
AI persona treatment

Platforms must implement:

10.7.1 Jurisdiction Mapping

Map assets to:

storage location
citizen/resident status
corporate domicile
blockchain node locations
legal system of origin

10.7.2 Multi-Jurisdictional Executor Support

Executors must be verified under:

jurisdiction of death
jurisdiction of asset location
jurisdiction of platform operation

10.7.3 Cross-Border Continuity Controls

Platforms must:

prevent unlawful data export
restrict access based on jurisdiction
support legal disputes
escrow continuity events when not legally permissible

10.8 Compliance Requirements for Blockchain Systems

Platforms using blockchain MUST comply with:

10.8.1 Data Protection Rules

No personal data may be stored on public chains without encryption or ZK proofs.

10.8.2 Legal Override Protocol

Smart contracts must be override-capable.

10.8.3 Geographic Jurisdiction Disclosure

Platforms must disclose:

where nodes operate
jurisdictional risk
immutability implications
regulatory regimes applicable

10.8.4 Proof-of-Authority & Permissioned Chains

If using permissioned chains:

governance must be transparent
participants must be vetted
override authorities must be defined

10.8.5 Tokenized Rights Alignment

Tokenized legal rights must reflect actual legal title.

10.9 Compliance Requirements for AI Systems

Platforms using AI must comply with emerging global AI regulations including:

EU AI Act
OECD AI Principles
U.S. AI safety guidance
National AI risk frameworks

Requirements include:

risk assessment of AI identity models
labeling of AI-generated content
preventing AI impersonation post-mortem
protecting minors from harmful emotional content
enabling deletion or revocation
ensuring AI does not override legal estate instructions

10.10 Compliance Requirements for Emotional & Cognitive Assets

Platforms must:

classify emotional assets as high-sensitivity
protect minors from premature exposure
ensure heirs receive only intended content
prevent coercion through emotional manipulation
ensure AI memories comply with inheritance restrictions

10.11 Required Documentation for Compliance

Platforms must maintain:

10.11.1 Compliance Statements

Including:

data protection compliance
identity workflows
blockchain disclosure
AI governance report
continuity workflow documentation

10.11.2 Audit Logs

identity events
delegation events
inheritance events
AI model changes
smart contract execution

10.11.3 Regulatory Risk Assessments

Conducted annually.

10.12 Regulator-Ready Outputs

Platforms must be capable of producing regulator-ready outputs on:

continuity workflows
death verification processes
inheritance execution
blockchain event logs
AI behavior logs
identity verification events
cross-border inheritance documentation

DEPI may publish a Regulator Alignment Guide as an annex.

SECTION 11 — FUTURE-STATE CONTINUITY SYSTEMS

11.1 Introduction

As humanity transitions into an era defined by:

multimodal AI
spatial computing
extended reality (XR)
neuro-integrated interfaces
decentralized digital identity
biometrically anchored cryptographic systems
high-fidelity volumetric capture
and long-term digital presence technologies

the nature of personal continuity, family legacy, business succession, and identity preservation will evolve in unprecedented ways.

This section provides a forward-looking framework to guide technology builders, policymakers, institutions, professionals, and families as continuity systems extend beyond the boundaries of:

traditional inheritance
single-generation asset transfer
device-based digital identity
physical-world documentation

DEPI recognizes that continuity must operate across decades, geographies, legal systems, platforms, and technologies that do not yet exist.

Section 11 ensures that DEPI remains:

technologically neutral
legally aligned
ethically grounded
globally adaptive
future-proof

This section is non-normative but strongly recommended as guidance for emerging technologies.

11.2 Future Identity Constructs

Beyond today’s identity layers (legal, digital, cryptographic, AI), future continuity systems must anticipate additional identity modalities.

11.2.1 Neuro-Digital Identity (NDI)

Identity signals derived from:

neural interfaces
brain-computer interfaces
cognitive activity models
biometric neuro-signatures

Continuity requirements:

NDIs must have ethical inheritance boundaries
NDIs must not enable post-mortem impersonation
NDIs must be frozen upon death unless explicitly permitted
NDIs must integrate with legal identity frameworks

11.2.2 Synthetic Identity Constructs

Future identity models may include:

AI-trained personal identity proxies
predictive digital twins
emotionally adaptive AI guardians
co-evolving AI personas

Continuity requirements:

synthetic identities must be labeled
must not override or replace real identity instructions
succession rules must be explicitly defined
AI co-agents must be bound by ethical constraints

11.2.3 Distributed & Multi-Anchor Identity

As identity becomes decentralized:

identity may exist across multiple chains and platforms
the “self” may be represented by composite signatures
continuity must map authority across distributed anchors

Continuity guidance:

inheritance must unify multi-anchor identity
executors must be able to manage distributed identity clusters
metadata must bind identity to the user, not the system

11.3 Future Digital Asset Classes

Emerging assets require new continuity frameworks.

11.3.1 Spatial-Life Archives

High-fidelity volumetric recordings capturing:

life events
conversations
experiences
surroundings
personal history

Continuity concerns:

long-term rendering compatibility
privacy of third parties captured in spatial scenes
emotional sensitivity

11.3.2 Holographic Presence Assets

These include:

holographic last messages
3D presence archives
volumetric AI avatars

Continuity guidance:

Must be clearly labeled as immersive assets
Must not be used for exploitation or misrepresentation
Must require explicit user authorization

11.3.3 Digital Twin Intellectual Property

Digital twins may contain:

business knowledge
trade processes
professional expertise

Continuity considerations:

SMB inheritance
IP ownership
multi-party governance

11.3.4 Cross-Platform AI Memory Clouds

Future families may inherit:

multi-generational AI-enhanced memory clouds
merged parental memory repositories
cross-generational cognitive datasets

Continuity concerns:

what is ethically inheritable
rights to AI interpretations of personal histories
avoidance of memory distortion

11.4 Future Continuity Triggers

Technological shifts may introduce new categories of continuity triggers.

11.4.1 Bio-Digital Triggers

Triggers initiated by:

biometric shutdown
neural inactivity
medical device integration
authenticated incapacity detection

These must always require human verification.

11.4.2 AI Predictive Triggers

AI may detect:

cognitive decline
health risk patterns
continuity risks

DEPI mandates:

AI may inform but never solely initiate inheritance
AI-triggered warnings must require human confirmation

11.4.3 Cross-System Event Triggers

Continuous systems across devices, chains, AIs, and cloud services must coordinate inheritance events.

This requires:

verified multi-source data
override mechanisms
interoperability protocols

11.5 Long-Term Preservation & Ultra-Longevity

As people live longer and as digital assets persist across centuries, continuity must anticipate:

100+ year archives
AI-enhanced genealogical systems
multi-generational digital storytelling
enterprise continuity beyond founders

11.5.1 Ultra-Longevity Preservation Requirements

Immersive and cognitive assets must:

remain readable for decades
support format migration
preserve contextual meaning
avoid technological decay (bit rot, obsolescence)

11.5.2 Multi-Generational Continuity

Future estates may support:

planned multi-generational releases
heritage-based data inheritance
lineage-specific content access

Platforms must:

enforce ethical controls
prevent identity misuse across generations

11.6 Future Ethics & Post-Biological Governance

Digital personhood and identity persistence beyond physical life raise profound ethical questions.

11.6.1 Post-Biological Identity Boundaries

AI or synthetic identities based on user data must:

remain subordinate to legal estate instructions
avoid simulating “conversations” on behalf of the deceased unless authorized
prevent misrepresentation as living entities

11.6.2 Digital Reincarnation Prohibition (Default)

Unless explicitly enabled by the user:

platforms must not create persistent post-mortem digital selves
no autonomous AI evolution
no generative simulation beyond configured boundaries

11.6.3 Ethical Stewardship of Digital Memories

Future memory technologies may recreate events visually or cognitively—platforms must prevent:

false-history generation
unauthorized reinterpretation
harmful emotional manipulation
synthetic distortion of truth

11.7 Future Interoperability Standards

Continuity across future systems requires:

cross-platform asset portability
identity linking across devices and chains
long-term metadata preservation
heir-friendly playback environments
standardized export formats

DEPI will publish updates as emerging technologies mature.

11.8 Regulatory Foresight

DEPI anticipates future regulation in:

AI post-mortem rights
immersive data inheritance
neuro-data governance
synthetic identity governance
cross-border XR asset jurisdiction
blockchain inheritance law

Platforms should design systems expecting:

strong consent laws
identity authenticity requirements
AI activity restrictions
extended executor authority expansion

11.9 DEPI’s Long-Term Commitments

DEPI commits to:

maintaining technology-neutral standards
updating the Standard annually
monitoring AI, AR/VR/XR, BCI, and identity innovation
collaborating with legislators
educating professionals
stewarding ethical digital legacy

Continuity is not static.
As humans change, technology changes, and laws change, DEPI’s duty is to guide the world responsibly into the future.

APPENDICES — DEPI DIGITAL ESTATE CONTINUITY STANDARD™ v1.0

A — Glossary

B — Asset Taxonomy

C — Emotional Digital Asset Guidelines

D — Smart Contract Templates

E — Accreditation Checklist

F — Certification Competency Map

G — Risk Assessment Templates

APPENDIX A — GLOSSARY

AI-Augmented Identity – Digital identity layer consisting of AI-generated models, memory structures, behavior profiles, or cognitive simulations trained on personal data.

AI Memory Model – A machine-learning model representing an individual’s knowledge, preferences, or history, requiring ethical inheritance controls.

Asset Category – Classification grouping defining digital assets based on purpose, sensitivity, inheritance rules, and continuity requirements.

Blockchain Anchor – A cryptographic hash representing off-chain metadata, used for provenance and audit without storing personal data on-chain.

CDEP (Certified Digital Estate Professional) – DEPI’s primary professional certification covering continuity standards, asset governance, and estate workflows.

Cognitive Continuity – Preservation of a person’s digital knowledge, AI-generated content, or augmented memory assets across time and succession events.

Continuity Plan – A structured set of inheritance, identity, and delegation rules defining what happens in emergency, incapacity, and post-mortem scenarios.

Continuity Trigger – A verified event (death, incapacity, emergency) that initiates continuity workflows.

Cryptographic Identity – Identity derived from cryptographic keys, signatures, MPC, multi-sig access structures, or DIDs.

Delegated Authority – Role-based permissions allowing designated individuals to access specific assets or continuity functions.

Digital Executor / Trustee – The legally authorized individual responsible for administering the digital portion of an estate.

Digital Identity – A collection of credentials, login artifacts, identifiers, and authentication mechanisms representing a user online.

Emotional Digital Asset – Sentimental content intended for heirs — letters, messages, videos, memory NFTs, AI-based legacies.

Executor Authority Mapping – The process of matching legal executor authority to digital asset categories.

Inheritance Execution – The procedural transfer of identities, keys, rights, and access following a verified post-mortem event.

Key Recovery Workflow – Mechanism enabling continuity of cryptographic assets without exposing private keys.

Multi-Sig / MPC – Security schemes requiring multiple parties/cryptographic shards for access — mandatory for blockchain inheritance.

Post-Mortem Continuity – Phase in which digital assets and identity layers transition to executors, trustees, or beneficiaries.

Smart Contract Governance – Rules for updating, overriding, or modifying smart contracts in response to legal or continuity events.

Trusted Contact – An individual authorized to receive notifications or initiate continuity checks but not asset-level access.

APPENDIX B — DIGITAL ASSET TAXONOMY

A consolidated taxonomy spanning all asset categories defined in Section 3.

Category 1 — Financial Digital Assets

Online bank accounts
Brokerages & trading platforms
Payment systems (PayPal, Stripe, Zelle)
Crypto exchanges (centralized)
Insurance/retirement portals
Reward points and loyalty programs
SMB accounting systems

Continuity: High verification, legal authority required.

Category 2 — Communication & Identity Assets

Email accounts
Phone numbers & SIM identity
Messaging apps
Social media accounts
Contact directories
Influencer/business identity accounts

Continuity: Executor read-limited; identity continuity required.

Category 3 — Personal Data & Cloud Storage

Photos/videos
Cloud drive content
Password managers
Documents & records
Subscription accounts

Continuity: Granular access required.

Category 4 — Emotional Digital Assets

Legacy letters
Videos for children
Voice messages including stored voice mail
Future-dated messages
Memory NFT artifacts
AI-generated emotional content

Continuity: Privacy-first, staged delivery.

Category 5 — AI-Generated Cognitive Assets

AI personas
Autobiographical models
AI knowledge graphs
Predictive behavioral engines

Continuity: Freeze post-mortem unless explicitly allowed.

Category 6 — Business & Operational Assets

CRM systems
Operational and productivity cloud and hosted accounts
Password vaults
Digital business identity
Vendor portals
AI automation systems

Continuity: SMB workflow required.

Category 7 — Blockchain & Cryptographic Assets

Crypto wallets
On-chain tokens
NFTs (identity or emotional)
Smart-contract–locked assets
Tokenized rights

Continuity: Multi-sig/MPC mandatory.

APPENDIX C — EMOTIONAL DIGITAL ASSET GUIDELINES

These rules govern sentimental digital assets that impact families and heirs.

C.1 Privacy & Sensitivity Requirements

Emotional assets must be:

encrypted
hidden from executors unless authorized
released only to designated beneficiaries
never used for marketing or AI training without consent

C.2 Staged Release Mechanisms

Emotional assets may use:

time delays
milestone releases (e.g., birthdays, graduations)
segmented releases
conditional releases

These may not be overridden by executors or platforms (except by law).

C.3 Ethical Content Guidelines

Platforms must:

detect harmful emotional content
warn beneficiaries before exposure
block content containing violence or abuse (optional, configurable)

C.4 AI-Generated Emotional Assets

If AI generates messages:

AI must not be mistaken for the deceased
AI must not fabricate false memories
AI must not interact beyond user-defined boundaries

AI emotional assets must be labeled as AI.

C.5 Inheritance of Emotional NFTs

Emotional NFTs must:

store no private content on-chain
link to encrypted off-chain assets
provide metadata permanence
preserve authenticity provenance for families

APPENDIX D — SMART CONTRACT TEMPLATE MODELS

These templates govern digital inheritance using blockchain.

Template 1 — Time-Locked Release Contract

Features:

timelock expiry
revocation mechanism
multi-sig override
human-in-the-loop requirement

Use Case: Messages, emotional assets.

Template 2 — Multi-Party Approval Inheritance Contract

Required approvals:

executor
platform continuity module
optional beneficiary

Use Case: Financial or high-risk crypto assets.

Template 3 — Oracle-Based Death Verification Contract

Required elements:

multi-source oracles
redundancy
manual override
dispute resolution

Use Case: Automated triggering under verified death events.

Template 4 — Key Rotation & Reassignment Contract

Functions:

key revocation
successor key assignment
inheritance of multi-sig roles
continuity recovery

Use Case: Continuity of blockchain identity.

Template 5 — AI Model Continuity Contract

Tracks:

model provenance
freeze state
authorized use cases
beneficiary rights

Use Case: AI-persona and memory model inheritance.

APPENDIX E — ACCREDITATION CHECKLIST (DEPI AUDIT GUIDE)

This checklist is used during DEPI platform accreditation.

E.1 Security

AES-256 encryption at rest
TLS v1.2+ in transit
Encrypted backups
Password hashing best practices
Zero-knowledge architecture verified

E.2 Identity

KYC/identity verification
robust delegate assignment
executor verification
recovery mechanisms

E.3 Continuity Workflows

emergency workflow works
post-mortem workflow works
incapacity workflow works
delegation mapping works
inheritance execution complete

E.4 Data Integrity

versioning
audit logs
exportable metadata
retention rules

E.5 AI & Emotional Asset Controls

model freezing
ethical labeling
sensitive content safeguards
emotional staging

E.6 Blockchain Controls (If Applicable)

multi-sig or MPC
audited smart contracts
override controls
no PII on-chain
oracle redundancy

E.7 Transparency & User Protection

disclosures clear
risks explained
terms understandable
consent revocation supported

E.8 Documentation Review

internal policies
compliance artifacts
incident response plan
continuity technical diagrams

Platforms must pass ALL mandatory items for accreditation.

APPENDIX F — CERTIFICATION COMPETENCY MAP

This defines the knowledge domains required for DEPI certifications (CDEP, DAC, DCP).

F.1 Foundation Knowledge

digital asset taxonomy
continuity principles
identity layers
legal frameworks (wills, trusts, probate)

F.2 Continuity Engineering

continuity workflows
metadata standards
trigger management
executor and beneficiary mapping

F.3 Security & Risk

encryption
access control
key management
incident response
blockchain security (if applicable)

F.4 AI & Emotional Asset Governance

ethical frameworks
emotional asset handling
AI persona governance

F.5 Blockchain & Smart Contracts

For DAC/DCP and advanced CDEP candidates:

multi-sig/MPC
smart contract logic
oracle usage
tokenized assets
auditability requirements

F.6 Regulatory & Compliance

GDPR
RUFADAA
eIDAS
HIPAA
cross-border conflicts

F.7 Professional Ethics

conflict of interest rules
user protection
executor fiduciary duties
DEPI ethical standards

APPENDIX G — RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATES

These templates allow platforms and professionals to evaluate continuity risk consistently.

G.1 Asset Risk Evaluation Template

Columns:

Asset Name
Asset Category
Sensitivity Level
Access Dependency
Storage Location
Blockchain Interaction (Y/N)
Inheritance Priority
Continuity Risk Score (1–5)
Mitigation Required

G.2 Identity Risk Template

Fields:

identity layer risks
MFA dependencies
device-loss risk
key loss probability
executor verification complexity

G.3 Continuity Workflow Risk Template

Assess:

emergency workflow gaps
incapacity workflow gaps
post-mortem workflow vulnerabilities
orphaned asset scenarios

G.4 Blockchain Risk Template

Fields:

key management
oracle dependencies
smart contract immutability
network risk
multi-party governance
irreversible loss potential

G.5 AI-Legacy Risk Template

Assess:

model integrity risk
harmful output risk
impersonation risk
synthetic memory distortion risk
post-mortem misuse risk

G.6 SMB Continuity Risk Template

Fields:

key-person dependency
operational asset risk
credential sprawl
account survivorship
vendor lock-in risk