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.