
Legal Tea Episode 218. Current Trends - Intersection of Cryptocurrency and Estate Planning
Oct 14, 2025
Millions of Americans own cryptocurrency, but what happens to these assets when they pass away? Traditional estate planning often overlooks crucial aspects like decentralized ownership and private keys. Learn how to use trusts to navigate probate, the importance of transfer-on-death forms, and why clear documentation is essential for executors. Discover the stakes behind the Quadriga CX case, where lost keys resulted in a $200M loss. Educate your estate planner and ensure your digital assets reach your heirs securely.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Intro
00:00 • 1min
What is Cryptocurrency and How Does It Work
01:12 • 2min
Why People Own Cryptocurrency
02:48 • 2min
How Cryptocurrency Creates Estate Planning Challenges
05:04 • 52sec
Can Exchanges Offer Beneficiary Designations?
05:55 • 23sec
How to Handle Private Wallets and Recovery Phrases
06:18 • 38sec
Why Trusts Help Pass Crypto Without Probate
06:56 • 1min
What Happens If Keys Are Lost — The Quadriga CX Lesson
07:58 • 59sec
How Many People Hold Crypto and Why That Matters
08:57 • 1min
How Specific Should Your Estate Plan Be About Crypto?
10:14 • 40sec
What Practical Instructions Should You Keep for Executors?
10:54 • 46sec
Do Executors and Trustees Need Explicit Authority?
11:40 • 38sec
Are Powers of Attorney Effective for Crypto?
12:17 • 34sec
What Steps Should Crypto Owners Take Now?
12:52 • 2min
Outro
15:04 • 36sec
