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Saving Advice
Saving Advice
Lifestyle
Drew Blankenship

Don’t Put Your Crypto Private Key in Your Will — Here’s What to Do Instead

crypto estate planning
Putting a cryptocurrency private key or recovery phrase directly into a will could expose valuable digital assets during probate. Securely stored credentials and clear instructions can help heirs access inherited crypto without compromising wallet security. K.unshu/Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency has become a relatively normal part of estate planning, with an estimated 560 million to 742 million people worldwide holding some kind of crypto. Many people have spent a significant amount of time building a portfolio, stacking up to six figures or more. But unfortunately, many people have no clue how they can leave their digital assets to their heirs in a way that protects their investments.

Unlike a traditional bank account, cryptocurrency held in a self-custody wallet generally cannot be recovered by calling customer service or presenting a death certificate. Without the necessary private keys or recovery information, heirs may permanently lose access to the assets. But putting that information directly into your will can create a different and potentially expensive security problem. Here’s what every person holding crypto needs to know.

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