Over $50 billion in cryptocurrency sits inaccessible because owners died without leaving instructions. If a family member held crypto, their coins are part of their estate — and there is a legal path to claiming them.
Before you can claim anything, you need to know what accounts and wallets exist. Here's where to look:
Transactions to/from exchanges (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, etc.) show up on bank statements. Even if you find an account, the exchange can help you identify the holdings once you provide legal authority to act on behalf of the estate.
If the deceased held crypto on a centralised exchange (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, etc.), the process is similar to claiming a bank account as an executor:
You need legal authority to act on behalf of the estate. This is typically Letters Testamentary (if there's a will) or Letters of Administration (if no will). Consult an estate attorney or probate lawyer in your jurisdiction. Without this, exchanges cannot legally transfer the account to you.
Open a bereavement or estate support ticket with the exchange. Do not simply try to log in to the deceased's account — this may trigger security lockouts and create complications. Use the exchange's official estate process.
Every exchange requires slightly different documentation, but you'll typically need all of the following:
Official certified copy from the registrar. Most exchanges require an original or certified copy, not a photocopy.
Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or Small Estate Affidavit depending on your jurisdiction and estate size.
Proof of identity for the executor or administrator — passport, driver's licence.
A signed letter stating where to send the funds — your own exchange account or a wallet address you control.
| Exchange | How to Start | Est. Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coinbase | Coinbase Estate Help → | 4–8 weeks | Has a dedicated deceased account flow. One of the most documented processes. |
| Binance | Submit support ticket — "Estate / Deceased Account" | 4–12 weeks | Requires certified documents. Process less standardised than Coinbase. |
| Kraken | Email support@kraken.com — subject: "Estate Claim" | 4–8 weeks | Known for thorough verification. Responds to email enquiries. |
| Gemini | Contact support — select "Deceased Account Holder" | 4–6 weeks | Regulated US exchange with clear estate policies. |
| Crypto.com | Submit a support ticket via the app or website | 6–12 weeks | May require notarised documents. |
Self-custody wallets (MetaMask, Exodus, hardware wallets, paper wallets) are more complex because there is no company holding the funds — you need the private key or seed phrase to access the crypto.
If the seed phrase is unknown, partial recovery may still be possible — especially if you have the physical device, some words of the phrase, or password hints. Our dedicated Lost Seed Phrase Recovery Guide explains exactly what's possible and which legitimate recovery services can help without charging upfront fees.
Legally, you should not. Accessing someone else's online accounts without authorisation may violate computer access laws (such as the US Computer Fraud and Abuse Act) even if you're the next of kin. Use the proper estate / bereavement process with the exchange instead — it's safer legally and the exchange will cooperate.
If the deceased held funds on a failed exchange, the estate has a claim in the bankruptcy proceedings — the same as any other creditor. You'll need to file a claim through the official bankruptcy claims portal (e.g., FTX's portal, Celsius's Stretto portal) using your probate authority. See our FTX claim guide and Celsius claim guide for details.
Use the fair market value (exchange closing price) on the date of death. For Bitcoin, Ethereum, and major coins, this is straightforward — use a reputable price source like CoinMarketCap or CoinGecko for that date. For minor tokens, it may be more complex. Your estate attorney or CPA can advise on valuation methodology.
Crypto follows the same intestacy rules as any other property in most jurisdictions. In the US, it typically passes to the spouse first, then children. You'll still need to go through probate and obtain Letters of Administration before exchanges will cooperate. This process takes longer without a will.
This is one of the most complex scenarios. If the deceased staked ETH, provided liquidity, or locked tokens in a smart contract, you need the wallet's private key to interact with those contracts. Without it, the funds may be permanently locked. This is another reason why having the seed phrase or private key is critical — see our seed phrase recovery guide.
This is common. Exchanges have legal and compliance teams that are conservative about transferring assets. Be patient, respond promptly, and provide certified (notarised if requested) copies. If you've been waiting more than 12 weeks without resolution, consider escalating via a letter from an estate attorney — this often accelerates the process.