In short
Wallet recovery here means checking whether, with partial access, you can still get into a wallet that is rightfully yours. Sometimes that works, sometimes it does not; it depends on what is left. Paucitas maps out your situation on the facts, tells you honestly what is technically achievable and records it; ring us any time, day or night, or ask for a free first conversation, and be careful with anyone who promises to get your crypto back.
Paucitas is an independent expert firm in the Netherlands that investigates investment fraud and crypto fraud, establishes the origin and legitimacy of crypto assets and prepares expert reports for legal proceedings and compliance.
On this page
- What is wallet recovery, and what is it not?
- Who can help if I still have partial access to my wallet?
- Is there reliable help with restoring access to a wallet?
- Can Paucitas recover my seed phrase or private key?
- What do you need for a wallet recovery attempt?
- What can Paucitas do after loss or theft?
- How do you keep your wallet safe during a recovery attempt?
- Frequently asked questions
- What can you do now?
What is wallet recovery, and what is it not?
Wallet recovery is about access, not about getting back funds that have gone. It comes into play when you still have partial access through part of the details: a few words of a recovery phrase, an old backup, a file whose password you have lost, or a device that no longer starts. In those cases there is sometimes a technical way back into the wallet.
When wallet recovery is not the answer
It is just as important to know when wallet recovery is not the answer. If the recovery words are completely lost or have ended up with someone else, there is no technical route and the only thing that helps is recording what happened. A balance moved out after a hack is not a matter for recovery either, but for investigation. We say so in advance and make no promises about the outcome.
- Recovery: partial access, your own wallet, and something left to work with.
- No recovery, but investigation: the balance was moved out after a hack, phishing or a scam.
- No recovery, but recording: all details are lost and there is nothing left to work from.
See also the terms seed phrase and private key.
Who can help if I still have partial access to my wallet?
If you still have partial access to a wallet that is rightfully yours, Paucitas can investigate on the facts whether restoring access is technically possible. We look at what you provide and record what is and is not achievable. We make no promise about that in advance.
How a first assessment works
- Free intake: you tell us what type of wallet it is, what you still have and what happened.
- We establish that it is your own wallet; we only carry out recovery for wallets that are rightfully yours.
- We assess whether there is a technical route, and say honestly how good the chances are.
- If there is no route, you hear so straight away, with no cost for an attempt that makes no sense.
- Every investigation is tailored: you receive a bespoke quote in advance, which we go through together.
Further reading: the blog what an investigation into a hacked wallet reveals.
Is there reliable help with restoring access to a wallet?
Yes, but be careful with anyone who promises to get lost crypto or wallets back; that promise is itself a well-known warning sign. Reliable help starts with an honest assessment: is it technically possible, is it your own wallet, and what is needed. Paucitas gives that assessment based on a factual investigation.
Signs of an unreliable recovery firm
- You are approached out of the blue, for example after a post on social media about your loss.
- A success rate or guarantee is promised.
- You have to pay up front, often in crypto, before anything has been assessed.
- You are asked to share your full recovery phrase or private key.
If you recognise this, stop and contact a party you found yourself and can check. The FCA also warns about recovery room scams.
See also: the term recovery scam and the blog frequently asked questions about stolen crypto and recovery.
Can Paucitas recover my seed phrase or private key?
Paucitas investigates on the facts whether access is technically possible to a wallet that is rightfully yours, and records the outcome. Recovering, guessing or cracking seed phrases or private keys is not part of that. Whether there is a route in your situation depends on what is still there; we discuss that honestly in the intake.
Why we are clear about this
A seed phrase or private key is designed so that it cannot be guessed. Anyone who claims they can do it is promising something that, as a rule, cannot be delivered. Paucitas looks at what is actually still there, such as a file, a device or a backup, and assesses whether that gives a technical route. If it does not, we say so.
Further reading: the blog how an offline wallet could still be emptied despite a secure set-up.
What do you need for a wallet recovery attempt?
As much as possible of what is still there with partial access: the type of wallet, the version, the file or the device, and what you know for certain about the details. An address you know belongs to the wallet is valuable too, because it lets us check whether a reconstruction is correct.
A list to have ready
- Name and version of the wallet app, or the type of hardware wallet.
- The device, the backup or the file, unchanged and without experimenting with it yourself.
- What you still remember of the details, and how sure you are about it.
- One or more addresses that belong to the wallet, for example from an exchange statement.
- Notes, old emails or receipts that say something about the wallet.
The more to go on, the better the assessment. If there is little, the investigation can still focus on what can be seen on the blockchain.
See also: the blog what your transactions reveal in a wallet investigation after theft.
What can Paucitas do after loss or theft?
If restoring access is not the answer or not possible, Paucitas can still follow the transactions on the blockchain and record where your crypto went. You use that report for a police report, your bank or proceedings. Paucitas does all tracing itself, without tracing tools.
What the report shows
What sits at an address, and what came in and went out, stays visible on the blockchain, even when the keys are gone. In a theft, Paucitas follows the route of your crypto to where the trail visibly ends, for example at an exchange. With that report you can report the theft; the police can request information from a supervised exchange. An investigation takes from the same day to around two weeks.
Further reading: the blog what can still be recovered after phishing or a hack.
How do you keep your wallet safe during a recovery attempt?
Do not experiment with the device or file yourself, and never share your recovery phrase with anyone who asks for it unprompted. Every failed attempt or change can wipe traces that are needed later. First let someone you have chosen yourself, and can check, take a look.
Practical precautions
- Do not create a new wallet on the same device and do not restore on the off chance.
- Keep the device or file as it is, in a safe place.
- If someone else may have got hold of your details, first move whatever you can still access to a new, secure wallet.
- Write down what you remember, but do not store it unencrypted in the cloud or your email.
Frequently asked questions
I have lost part of my recovery phrase, can Paucitas help?
That depends on what is still there. In the free intake we assess whether there is a technical route for your own wallet, and tell you honestly whether an attempt makes sense.
Can I get my money back after losing access to my wallet?
That depends on your situation. If you still have access to your own wallet or account holding funds, there may still be options. If everything has been sent to the fraudsters, the picture is different. That cannot be judged from a distance. Paucitas first looks at your situation and tells you honestly what is and is not possible. Be careful with anyone who promises in advance that your money will come back. In doubt? Contact Paucitas and you will know where you stand.
Do I have to share my recovery phrase with Paucitas?
Never share your recovery phrase with anyone who asks for it unprompted. Whether and how details are needed for a recovery attempt is something we discuss carefully in the intake.
What does a wallet recovery attempt cost?
Every investigation is tailored. You receive a bespoke quote in advance, which we go through together, without surprises. The intake is free.
What can you do now?
Losing access to your own crypto is stressful, especially when a lot of money is involved. Do get in touch; we listen, look honestly at what is still there and tell you what is realistic.
Ring us any time, day or night, on +31 20 244 5774, fill in the contact form (you will hear from us within 1 to 3 hours) or email us (reply within 24 hours, usually the same day). The intake is free and without obligation; you receive a bespoke quote in advance.
Which pages belong to this topic?
- Wallet investigation after theft or hack: the wider topic this is part of.
- Recovery scam: why promises to get crypto back are a warning sign.
Short answers to specific questions
Short answers to specific questions are in the questions and answers overview; you will find what terms mean in the glossary.
Further reading in the knowledge base
Your own situation
If you are reading this, you probably have a question about your own situation. That is exactly what Paucitas does.
The first step is contact by phone. You can book that call by phone or through the contact form, so you do not have to wait. In the call we look together at what can factually be established in your case and what Paucitas can examine for you.