Don’t Let a Crypto Inheritance Get Stuck on the Blockchain

The article explains how cryptocurrency can be difficult for heirs to inherit because US estate law treats it as a digital asset, and access does not automatically pass to family members. Planning matters especially for people who hold crypto themselves: without a custodian or clear instructions, heirs may be unable to locate or access it.

A custodial wallet, held by a bank or service, may offer a beneficiary form or a process for heirs to prove their entitlement with legal documents and a death certificate. The article names Schwab and Chase as examples with beneficiary arrangements, while Coinbase and PayPal require documentation and do not offer beneficiary forms as of the article’s writing. Noncustodial wallets leave the owner responsible for arranging access, and custodial crypto is not FDIC-insured.