Can My Family Access My Crypto After I Die?
Short answer
It depends how you hold it. With exchanges, there’s a process to retrive. With private wallets, no keys = no access = gone forever.
Long answer
Crypto isn’t a single type of asset. If it’s held through a custodial exchange—like Coinbase or Wealthsimple—there’s often a process your executor can follow. That usually involves legal documents, a death certificate, and the platform’s own internal review. It can take time, but recovery is possible.
If the crypto is stored in a non-custodial wallet—like MetaMask or a cold storage device or offline wallet (e.g. Ledger or Trezor)—it’s a different story. These assets are protected by private keys or seed phrases. Without those, there is no reset. No recovery. No override. Legal authority doesn’t help if there’s no access.
A Will can name who inherits the crypto. But if you haven’t also created a secure way for them to find and access it, that inheritance is meaningless. I help clients cover both—so the crypto doesn’t disappear.
If you don’t spell this out clearly, your crypto can die with you—permanently. I help clients avoid that.
Related:
Make sure your family inherits your crypto, not a locked drive.
This content is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a lawyer about your specific situation.