Crypto inheritance in India: how your family can access your crypto

Exchange accounts

Several Indian exchanges let you add a nominee. If yours does, add one. If not, your legal heirs can usually claim the account with a death certificate, proof of relationship and, sometimes, a succession certificate or probated will. Each exchange has its own process, so check the help centre.

Self-custody wallets

Here there is no company to call. Whoever has the seed phrase controls the funds. If nobody knows where it is, the crypto is lost.

Options people use:

• A sealed note with the seed phrase kept in a bank locker, with instructions for heirs.
• Splitting the information so no single person can take it alone (for example, the seed phrase in one place and the passphrase in another).
• Hardware wallets with a written guide on how to restore them.

Your will

Mention that you hold crypto, on which exchanges and in which wallets, and who should inherit it. Don't put the seed phrase in the will itself, as wills can be read by several people.

A note for your family

Write a short guide: which exchanges you use, where the hardware wallet and backups are, and a trusted person or CA to contact. Update it once a year.

Tax for heirs

Inheriting crypto is generally not taxed as a gift when it comes from a relative or by inheritance. When heirs sell, gains are taxed at 30% plus cess. The cost basis for inherited crypto is not clearly settled, so heirs should keep records and take advice. Crypto gift tax explained.

Sources

• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (helpline 1930)
• Financial Intelligence Unit India (FIU-IND)

• security
• inheritance