If you’re watching Solana’s recent breakout, pushing it toward $100, you’re probably thinking about gains. But here’s a thought that rarely crosses an investor’s mind: what happens to all of this digital wealth if something happens to me?
The cold, hard truth is that most cryptocurrency isn’t stolen by hackers. It’s lost to the ether because loved ones simply can’t find it or access it. As an analyst who has seen cycles come and go, I can tell you that the most robust investment strategy is incomplete without a plan for crypto inheritance.
Let’s break down how to build a plan that actually works.
Why do you need a plan?
Unlike a bank account, your crypto is secured by private keys and seed phrases. If your family doesn’t know where these are or how to use them, your Bitcoin, Ethereum, or SOL holdings might as well be gone forever. We’re talking about millions of dollars in assets permanently locked away. A proper crypto inheritance plan is the only key.
The legal foundation: Your first step
Your journey starts with a conversation with an estate attorney. Yes, you need a professional. In the U.S., most states have adopted laws (under RUFADAA) that give your designated helpers legal access to your digital assets. But you must give them explicit instructions.
A good lawyer will help you set up three things:
- A Will or Trust: This document should acknowledge your own digital assets, but it must never contain your actual seed phrases. Wills can become public record.
- A Digital Asset Letter: This is a private document that points your family to where your access information is stored—like a treasure map without the treasure on it.
- Power of Attorney: This allows someone you trust to manage your assets if you’re incapacitated, not just deceased.
Custody choices: How to store your crypto for your heirs
You likely use a mix of exchanges and self-custody wallets. Your plan should cover both.
- On Exchanges (Coinbase, Kraken, etc.): Platforms have processes for deceased users. Document your account info (e.g., your Kraken Public ID) in your Digital Asset Letter so your executor can easily file a claim with the required documentation.
- In Your Own Wallet (The Biggie): This is where crypto inheritance planning gets critical.
- Multisig Wallets: For significant holdings, this is the gold standard. Services like Unchained or Casa let you create a “2-of-3” wallet. You hold one key, and two other trusted people or entities hold the others. To access the funds, any two keys are needed. These companies specialize in guiding non-technical heirs through the recovery process, a huge relief for families.
- Simple Seed Phrases: If you use a standard wallet, your seed phrase is everything. It must be stored securely and privately in a safe deposit box, a home safe, or on an encrypted drive. Your Digital Asset Letter must state its location.
The most important part: Talk to your family
The best technical setup will fail if your family is in the dark. This is the human layer.
Sit down with your designated executor and give them a simple, one-page guide. Explain:
- What you own and where it is.
- Who is your crypto-literate advisor or lawyer (their “guide”)?
- The absolute importance of avoiding scams and never sharing information prematurely.
Your heirs don’t need to become crypto experts. They just need a clear path and a helping hand.
Your action plan: Get it done this weekend
- Inventory: Make a list of all your exchange accounts, wallets, and major holdings.
- Choose Custody: Consider moving long-term holdings to a multisig vault for easier inheritance.
- Secure Secrets: Store seed phrases or key shards in secure, physical locations. Never digital.
- Call a Lawyer: Get the legal documents drafted. It’s worth the cost.
- Have The Talk: Brief your family. Give them that one-pager with contact info.
The bottom line: Be wise
Watching an asset like Solana break out is exciting. But true wealth isn’t just about accumulation; it’s about preservation and transition. A little planning today transforms your volatile crypto portfolio into a lasting, secure legacy for your family. Don’t let your life’s work become just another statistic of lost coins. Secure your crypto inheritance now.
