How selling inherited crypto works

This page explains the mechanics of selling inherited crypto: who may sell, what must happen first, how sales and transfers work, and what must be recorded. It does not tell you whether or when to sell, which platform to use, or what is best for your estate, that is your decision, made with local professionals. No “should” advice lives on this page.

The one rule that comes before everything

Only someone who is authorised for the sale may carry it out or be lawfully mandated to do so on behalf of the authorised person or persons. Who that is depends on the role and powers established by the estate process: an executor within their powers, or the heirs once their position is established. Selling or transferring crypto of the person who passed away before authority is confirmed can create legal problems that a later sale cannot undo. See legal authority vs technical access.

The order of work

1. Establish authority over the estate first.
2. Inventory and value the crypto at the relevant date, under the applicable local rules: see crypto estate inventory and valuation and tax of inherited crypto.
3. Choose the mechanics that fit where the crypto is held (below).
4. Only carry out a sale after establishing who is authorised to do so and which procedure must be followed. If the crypto is on an exchange, first complete the platform’s official estate procedure and then follow its instructions for transfer or sale.
5. Record, assess the tax obligations and divide according to the applicable rules. Keep the sale records and, before the division, check which debts, taxes, filing obligations and any reserves still need to be taken into account. The exact order of filing, payment and division depends on the specific estate and the applicable law. See dividing crypto between heirs.

How sales actually work

Crypto held on an exchange. The exchange account is in the name of the person who passed away; the estate first goes through the official procedure of the platform in question. How the assets are then made available, transferred or paid out varies by provider, jurisdiction and case. Once the platform’s official estate procedure is complete, the platform determines how the crypto is made available or transferred. Follow the instructions of the platform in question after that. Do not assume a single fixed sale or withdrawal route. See exchange accounts after a death.

Crypto in self-custody. There is no platform holding the assets, so a sale venue is needed. The mechanics: first choose a suitable sale route (for example an exchange, broker/OTC desk or another suitable and lawful route) and only then move the crypto according to the destination’s full deposit instructions. Check the correct asset, the network and the receiving address, as well as, where required, a memo, destination tag, payment ID or other additional receiving details. Missing or incorrect details can result in a deposit not being credited correctly. Transfer and trading fees apply. An estate that cannot access the keys cannot sell, see wallet recovery: what is realistically possible.

Larger amounts. Exchanges may apply withdrawal limits and extra verification for large transfers. Over-the-counter (OTC) desks exist as a route for larger sales, with their own verification of the seller’s identity and authority. OTC providers and their processes differ; nothing here recommends any of them.

Assets with no liquid market. Some inherited assets (low-volume tokens, NFTs, obscure projects) may have no practical market at all. An asset that cannot be sold is still part of the estate and still needs inventory and valuation. See NFTs in an estate.

In-kind distribution as an alternative. Selling is not the only route: the estate can transfer crypto in kind to heirs instead. The mechanics of both routes are compared in dividing crypto between heirs.

What to record

Whatever the mechanics, the estate record should include: the sale date and price, the platform or venue, the receiving account, the amounts and fees, and the chain of custody of every step. See chain of custody. Local tax and reporting rules apply to the proceeds and are country-specific, verify them with a local professional. See valuation and tax of inherited crypto.

A warning that belongs in every sale

Only the estate’s authorised representative handles the assets. Anyone who offers to “help sell” the inherited crypto and asks for your seed phrase, keys or passwords is not helping, they are not acting in the estate’s interest. See scams targeting crypto estates.

What this page is not

It is not investment, trading or tax advice, and it makes no recommendation about whether, when or where to sell. It is the mechanics, stated plainly, so the estate’s decisions are made with accurate facts.

Rules and deadlines can change, and this page may not yet reflect the latest position, have the current rules confirmed by a local lawyer, notary or tax adviser before acting. Spotted something that no longer matches? Contact us and we will correct it.