# Crypto inheritance — how beneficiaries access holdings after death

List all holdings and locations in estate planning documents. Store seed phrase access separately from the public will — e.g. solicitor sealed letter. Executors need death certificate and grant of probate to contact exchanges. The Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025 clarifies digital assets can be property in England and Wales.

## Key facts
- Exchanges will not release crypto without legal documents.
- Seed phrase access is essential for self-custody.
- Never put seed phrase in the will itself — wills become public.
- Professional probate help is common for digital estates.
- IHT may apply — see IHT on crypto guide.

## Exchange-held crypto

Executors contact the exchange with death certificate, grant of probate, and executor ID. Processes vary — some exchanges have dedicated bereavement teams. Expect delays of weeks or months.
## Self-custody and seed phrases

Without seed phrase or hardware device, assets may be irrecoverable. Tested backup instructions given to a solicitor or trusted party are essential.
## Valuation for probate and IHT

Value holdings at date of death in sterling. Volatile assets need timestamped price evidence.
## Legal framework

The Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025 confirms digital assets can be property for succession in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland differ — take local advice.

## FAQs
### Can a lawyer hold my seed phrase?

Some solicitors store sealed instructions. Ensure they understand crypto — many are still learning.

## Sources

- [Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/5/contents/enacted)
- [Law Commission — Digital assets](https://lawcom.gov.uk/project/digital-assets/)

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— Digital Assets UK (https://digital-assets.co.uk/storage/crypto-inheritance-access/), reviewed 2026-06-23. Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/5/contents/enacted