Unchained has announced today that its registered investment advisory arm, Sound Advisory, has merged with Gannett Trust Company, resulting in the formation of a new entity: Gannett Wealth Advisors.
This merger signifies the first instance of an SEC-registered investment advisor collaborating with a chartered bitcoin trust company, creating what the companies describe as a “fully integrated wealth management platform” for digital assets, according to a note distributed to Bitcoin Magazine.
Gannett Wealth Advisors will function as a subsidiary of Gannett Trust Company, a public trust company established in Wyoming, focusing on integrating financial planning, custody, and inheritance services under one regulated framework.
In May, Wyoming officially chartered Gannett Trust Company to assist individuals, families, and businesses in managing and transferring their bitcoin wealth. The firm aims to mitigate bitcoin loss by providing secure, compliant custody and inheritance solutions tailored for long-term holders.
Bitcoin meets the fiduciary standard
Fundamentally, this merger acts as a connection between Bitcoin-native finance and the highly regulated landscape of traditional wealth management.
Previously, Unchained offered bitcoin custody and lending services through its collaborative custody model; now, the integration of an SEC-registered advisor brings fiduciary oversight and enhanced planning capabilities into the mix.
“For Unchained, collaborating with Gannett Trust and Gannett Wealth Advisors represents the next phase in demonstrating how bitcoin-native wealth management can meet the same standards as conventional finance, while respecting the asset’s unique characteristics,” stated Joe Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Unchained.
The new platform aims to address one of Bitcoin’s longstanding issues: inheritance and estate planning.
Traditional wealth management firms often lack the capability to handle private keys or custody models that ensure secure transfer of assets. Gannett promises to provide solutions that blend regulated trust structures with Bitcoin’s self-sovereign principles.
“Integrating advisory and trust services offers individuals, families, and business owners something unprecedented: a fully cohesive method to plan, manage, and secure their legacies under a fiduciary standard,” remarked Joshua Preston, CEO of Gannett Trust.
Global wealth is about to change hands
The launch of Gannett Wealth Advisors comes at a critical juncture.
In the upcoming decade, an estimated $80 trillion in global wealth is projected to change hands. According to research referenced by Unchained, nearly 4 million bitcoin may already be permanently lost — primarily due to insufficient planning and a lack of digital-asset-specific estate structures.
Simultaneously, U.S. policy has started to align with investor demand. In August, the federal government issued an executive order expanding 401(k) options to encompass alternative assets such as cryptocurrency, real estate, and private equity.
Wyoming, where Gannett Trust is chartered, has emerged as the country’s leading hub for digital-asset trust companies, thanks to progressive legislation that acknowledges bitcoin custody and fiduciary responsibilities under state law. This legal framework provides Gannett with a foundational advantage that many competitors in different jurisdictions still lack.
The newly formed entity will make its official debut at Digital Wealth Frontiers, a summit organized by Gannett Trust on October 15 at Bitcoin Park in Nashville and via livestream.
The event will gather family offices, advisors, and business executives to explore strategies for managing generational wealth with Bitcoin as a significant element of diversified portfolios.
As Bitcoin gains broader acceptance within mainstream finance, companies like Gannett Wealth Advisors aspire to cater to clients who demand both security and compliance — without sacrificing Bitcoin’s fundamental principles.
