ncreasingly, there is talk about fears of an escalation of armed conflict in our region. But war is only one of the possible scenarios. An even worse one could be a global reset, which in the current macroeconomic situation appears inevitable. The question is no longer “if,” but “when” the crisis may arrive.
The responsibility of an entrepreneur, an investor—indeed, of everyone—is to protect themselves against any kind of crisis, which may involve the freezing of assets in banks or their loss. That is why asset protection must be planned in advance, not only when the situation starts to spiral out of control. How can this be done wisely, in a way that genuinely increases the financial security of one’s family and business? This is explained by Anna Maria Panasiuk, a wealth advisor, who outlines four pillars of capital protection.
“Capital protection is not a purely investment-related issue. It is a generational decision that can determine whether a family and a company will have the means to function when more difficult times come. A good strategy allows one to survive and act when others are only just looking for solutions. What we secure today becomes the foundation for rebuilding tomorrow. Capital is not an abstraction—it is simply the means of living. If this foundation is stable, one can survive a great deal. It is our duty to protect it. The sooner we start talking about it openly, the easier it will be to survive a crisis and rebuild what may be damaged,” emphasizes Anna Maria Panasiuk, wealth advisor.
Pillar 1: Currency and place of storing funds
The history of many countries shows that in times of geopolitical or economic tension, the domestic currency can lose value rapidly and unpredictably. Therefore, reducing exposure to the Polish złoty and gradually moving into currencies with greater systemic resilience—such as the Swiss franc—becomes crucial. The place where capital is stored is also important: keeping all assets in one country creates systemic risk, especially if withdrawal restrictions or asset freezes are introduced.
“Many entrepreneurs deposit part of their funds in countries where the legal and banking systems are stable. Switzerland is one of the most predictable places for capital protection and has been used for years by people who think long-term. Another solution that should be implemented in parallel is holding funds in BTC or USDC, and similar instruments. This is not an escape, but a way to ensure the ability to act in any situation. Without access to capital, we will not rebuild companies, support families, or help the economy if a crisis comes. That is why financial security is a responsibility—not a luxury,” points out Anna Maria Panasiuk.
Pillar 2: Ownership documents and proof of assets
After a period of chaos, the question of whether we possess documents confirming our ownership becomes extremely important. Without them, it may turn out that what we once owned is no longer ours. In Poland’s post-war history, many families lost homes and land precisely because they could not prove their rights. That is why safe storage of deeds, contracts, insurance policies, wills—everything that constitutes our assets—is so important. This is not a formality. It is real protection of what we have built over years, often across generations. Thanks to this, in difficult times we have something solid to rely on.
“After the war, my grandfather lost properties in Warsaw and Pomerania because he could not prove they belonged to him. That is why I place such great importance on securing documents: deeds, contracts, wills, insurance policies.
This is the documentation of our assets. Some people do not even have their papers organized, let alone stored in the right place. A digital copy certainly has value, but it should be archived on a USB drive (not in the cloud)—and then the question arises where that USB drive should be kept. Ideally, together with paper documents, or even in several copies in different locations. If the system is attacked or stops working, we lose access to everything. The safest solution is the physical deposit of documents in several places to which we have access in the event of a crisis. This can be done, for example, in Switzerland for a few hundred francs a year, or with family members outside Poland. This is a small cost compared to what we are really protecting—the ability to preserve assets for the family and future generations,” adds Anna Maria Panasiuk.
Pillar 3: Asset diversification and liquidity protection
If access to banks were limited or temporarily blocked, simply having money in an account might prove insufficient. History shows that during crises, withdrawal limits were often introduced, funds were frozen, or transactions delayed. That is why it is important for part of our resources to be held in forms that remain usable outside the banking system and can be taken with us if necessary. Diversification is what provides the ability to act—to buy what is needed, ensure safety, and maintain independence, regardless of the situation.
“Exactly so—after all, in Ukraine bank transfers were blocked to prevent capital from leaving the country. The most important thing is not to base asset protection on a single solution. Three or four independent assets create a shield that is difficult to breach. We should think about real estate, alternative investments in crypto, or precious metals,” says Anna Maria Panasiuk.
“For example, gold and silver in the form of one-ounce coins—this is a simple way of storing capital that can be taken with you and used at any time. In extreme situations, a combibar—a bar divided into small pieces that can be broken like chocolate—is very practical. In such a situation, you hold a liquid store of value in your hand that you can use to pay for fuel or food. Cryptocurrencies stored on cold wallets fall into the same category. Another asset ensuring independence from the banking system is high-value mobile assets, such as investment watches—small, easy to transport, yet representing real value. Works of art are also worth considering when it comes to preserving wealth,” emphasizes the expert.
Pillar 4: A second home
The final important element of asset protection is owning real estate located in different countries—or at least having a second home, which in the event of war provides an enormous sense of security as an alternative place to live. Why is this so important? It gives you peace of mind, knowing that if the world here descends into chaos, you will be able to take your family to a safe place. A second home can be not only a place to live on a daily basis, but also a form of capital investment. And in times as uncertain as today, such an investment should be part of every portfolio.
“The choice of location depends on where we feel comfortable and where we are confident the system is stable. More and more people are choosing properties in neutral countries such as Switzerland or Andorra, where economic and legal security is a priority. Destinations far from Poland—such as the UK, Spain, Italy, or even non-European locations like Dubai or Cape Town—are also popular. The latter are particularly attractive to people open to the world; apartments in Thailand, Cambodia, or South Africa are becoming standard in my clients’ portfolios,” says the expert.
“If you have the ability to protect your family by choosing a second location, it is not a luxury—it is a responsibility. When a difficult moment comes, time, accessibility, and space for safe functioning matter most. I recommend starting with an alternative in Europe, which is more accessible for those who have internal concerns about undertaking a property project on another continent. Having asset protection in the form of real estate that not only works for you but is also a safe place you can go to is the foundation of your peace of mind,” emphasizes Anna Maria Panasiuk.
Not hiding assets, but building your freedom and resilience to potential crises
“We live today in a world that is like a vast web of interdependencies. In such a tightly connected system, a single impulse can trigger a domino effect—just think of the pandemic. That is why protecting your assets against conflict or the even more likely reset is not about ‘hiding wealth,’ but about building your financial resilience—your security. What matters is
