Crypto for Advisors: Bitcoin: planning for inheritance

7 min readMake preferred on ShareShare this articleCopy linkX iconX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmailMake preferred on (Ray Shrewsberry/ Unsplash)SummaryShowYou’re reading Crypto for Advisors, CoinDesk’s weekly newsletter that unpacks digital assets for financial advisors. Subscribe here to get it every Thursday. In today’s newsletter, Zak Townsend from Meanwhile outlines key tactical questions to consider when planning your bitcoin inheritance. Then, in “Ask an Expert,” Shea Brown from Windle Wealth provides guidance on how to navigate the process once crypto is inherited. I recently attended the Bitcoin 2026 Conference in Las Vegas. I could see that the industry has matured. Financial products that were once fiat-only, like mortgages and whole life insurance, are now offered to the Bitcoin community. Regulators who used to think in dollars and gold are now talking in satoshis. But the biggest tell is the grey hairs. And heirs. Holders who once compared how fast their cars could go from zero to 60 are now seeing who has the most cargo space in their minivans. It's family time. When you bought bitcoin you saw the future. Now it's time to think about how that value reaches your loved ones. I know I have. Below are seven tactical questions to ask yourself, and how to think about each, when planning to pass your bitcoin to the next generation. The right setup depends on your family, your stack and your jurisdiction, so treat these as prompts, not prescriptions. There are more, but these are the ones I'd start with. None of this is morbid. It's the same instinct that made you buy bitcoin in the first place: thinking in decades, not days. The right answers depend on your situation, and they're worth working out with people you trust. You saw the future once. The last step is making sure the people you love get to share in it. Stay healthy, and take the time to make sure your loved ones enjoy what you've accomplished. If you’re leaving crypto to someone, it’s important they understand what the next steps are. Explaining where the crypto is held determines how they access it, but how do they navigate selling, moving, or keeping it. It’s important to slow down and make sure things are done correctly. Once trades or transfers are placed, they’re irreversible and can create tax issues they aren’t prepared for. Not understanding cost basis or what type of account they’re dealing with can cause problems of their own. Taking the time to understand what you’re doing is better than rushing the process and making a mistake. People who inherit crypto are good targets for scams. It is important you teach your inheritors what to look out for when it comes to scams. WhatsApp messengers, or people online offering “help” are scams. Real institutional companies will not ask for seed phrases. Don’t let your inheritance go to scammers. Q. How does account type affect inherited crypto? Understanding what tax liability you may leave can help you choose how to structure your investments. The type of account crypto is held in can influence how it is treated when passed on. For crypto held in a taxable (brokerage) account, it is generally treated similarly to traditional investments, like stocks. When inherited, the value is typically adjusted to the fair market value at the date of death, which may eliminate prior unrealized gains for tax purposes. Going forward, unrealized gains may no longer be subject to capital gains taxes. If sold, taxes are generally applied to any gains after inheritance, often at long-term capital gains rates. Crypto held in an IRA or 401(k) is treated differently. These accounts generally do not receive a step-up in value. Instead, they continue to follow the rules that apply to retirement assets. Distributions are typically taxed as ordinary income, and in many cases, non-spousal beneficiaries must withdraw the full account balance within 10 years. Mixing crypto’s volatility and forced liquidation can create financial planning considerations. Careful consideration when choosing the person to manage your assets is vital to make sure your plan works as you envisioned. This can be a stressful and emotional period for families, and the person you choose will likely be making decisions under pressure. In most estate plans, the person in charge is there to coordinate with institutions to carry out your wishes. Bitcoin can be different. If crypto is held in a wallet, the person you choose isn’t just overseeing the process; often, they are interacting with the system directly. There is no institution stepping in to move assets or correct mistakes. If something is entered incorrectly, it may not be fixable. Someone who can follow instructions and be patient to avoid guesswork may be more important than a financial or technical background. Being capable of acting in emotional situations, rationally, is a quality to look for. When putting systems in place to ensure your crypto is accessible, also consid

Crypto for Advisors: Bitcoin: planning for inheritance

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Crypto for Advisors: Bitcoin: planning for inheritance

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