Crypto inheritance planning for advisers (UK): a practical workflow
A practical workflow for UK advisers helping clients with crypto inheritance planning — from discovery to documentation, without custody or advice.
Why this is showing up more often in estates
Cryptocurrency is no longer a fringe asset. UK estates increasingly include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets — often held in self-custody wallets that traditional financial institutions cannot access. Unlike bank accounts or investment platforms, crypto wallets have no customer service, no beneficiary designations, and no probate shortcuts. If keys are lost or instructions unclear, assets can be permanently inaccessible.
Adviser-safe positioning (non-custodial, not advice)
Bitzo provides operational coordination — not custody, not financial advice, not legal advice. This positioning allows advisers to discuss crypto inheritance with clients without straying into regulated territory. We never hold, store, or request private keys or seed phrases. We do not provide investment advice or recommendations. We coordinate people and process — verification, documentation, and audit trails.
The Bitzo workflow: Discovery to Documentation
A structured five-step approach: Discovery (identify wallets, holdings, access arrangements), Structure (define trusted contacts, verification requirements, authority chains), Verification (verify trusted contact identities through recorded calls and rotating codes), Documentation (create comprehensive Policy Pack with wallet architecture and recovery workflows), and Review (periodic reviews to ensure documentation remains current). See our inheritance planning page for how this works in practice.
What executors actually need
Executors require four key elements: Evidence packs (documented proof of wallet ownership and contact verification), Verified identities (recorded verification before any action), Clear authority (documented chain of command), and Audit trails (timestamped logs of all verification attempts and decisions).
Common failure modes without planning
Three primary failure modes: Lost seed phrases (no backup, destroyed by accident, or stored in unknown locations), Single point of failure (one person holds all keys with no verified contacts), and Unclear authority (multiple family members claim rights with no documented chain of command). Without planning, disputes delay or prevent recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can advisers safely discuss crypto inheritance with clients?
Yes. Advisers can discuss operational coordination and documentation without straying into custody or regulated advice. Bitzo provides suggested wording and discovery questions to help frame conversations appropriately.
Does Bitzo ever take custody or hold private keys?
Never. Bitzo is entirely non-custodial. We never hold, store, or request private keys or seed phrases. We coordinate people and process—assets remain under the client's control.
How does verification work when recovery is triggered?
We verify executor identity and authority through recorded calls, rotating codes, and cross-referencing against the Policy Pack and legal documentation. Every step is logged with full audit trails.
Can this align with existing wills and trusts?
Yes. Bitzo documentation is designed to complement existing estate planning. The Policy Pack can reference trust structures, will provisions, and named executors.
What if a trusted contact is no longer available?
Periodic reviews ensure contacts are still reachable. If changes are needed, we update the Policy Pack and re-verify new contacts through the same rigorous process.
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Ready to plan your crypto inheritance?
Speak to our UK-based team about your situation. No obligation, no pressure.
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