You don't need the block chain to keep coins. You only need a wallet. Technically your private keys never need to see the internet at all. Edit: here is one wa

You don't need the block chain to keep coins. You only need a wallet. Technically your private keys never need to see the internet at all. Edit: here is one way to do it https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/How_to_set_up_a_secure_offline_savings_wallet https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/How_to_set_up_a_secure_offline_sa... At a recent meetup there was a presentation recommending Electrum with HD wallets instead. That would mean you really would only need to memorize a passphrase, all the keys would be generated from that so no backup necessary. Personally I am not yet 100% sure HD wallets are safe, need to look into it.