This is the silent risk many crypto holders overlook. In traditional finance, next of kin can recover funds through legal processes, bank protocols, or inheritance claims. But in crypto, the rules are different. The system is built on self-custody. You are the bank. You are the security. And if no one else knows how to access your assets, they vanish the moment you do.

So how do you prepare for that scenario without exposing yourself to theft or abuse?

It begins with trust. Identify someone you have complete confidence in a spouse, a sibling, or a lifelong friend. Then, create a secure but practical method for passing on your access details. Some people write down their seed phrase and store it in a fireproof safe, or place it in a safety deposit box. Others split the phrase into sections and give different parts to different people or store them in separate locations. There are also tools like multisignature wallets or digital inheritance platforms that allow access to be triggered only after a set condition is met, such as long-term inactivity.

Whichever method you choose, keep it clear and simple. Most people outside of crypto do not understand what a seed phrase is or how to use it. So leave full instructions. Explain what app or wallet to use, where to input the phrase, what steps to take next, and what not to do. Your instructions should read like you are guiding someone who has never used crypto before.

Owning crypto gives you full control of your money, but it also gives you full responsibility. If you want your assets to serve your family, your children, or your causes after you are gone, you must plan ahead. The harsh truth is that without a plan, your wealth will not transfer, it will disappear. And in a world where crypto has no central authority, there are no second chances.