Efectos de las criptomonedas en los testamentos, la planificación patrimonial y el impuesto de sucesiones

We have come a long way since the 7th century, when the first banknotes were used in China. Today, digital assets such as Cryptocurrency, play an increasingly important role in modern finanzas and estate planning. Cryptocurrency is not only used for investment purposes, but it is also used for making payments. There are now over two thousand different cryptocurrencies worldwide, with some of the most well-known being Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and Solana. 

It is now possible to purchase goods and services with cryptocurrency. Payment methods include direct merchant payments via a digital wallet, cryptocurrency debit/credit cards and gift cards. Their popularity is continuing to increase as their acceptance becomes widespread. 

Como result, Cryptocurrencies and other Crypto assets are increasingly forming parts of many individuals’ estates, and will therefore be subject to inheritance tax. The ubicación (also referred to as situs) of assets may need to be determined to establish whether UK inheritance tax will apply to cryptocurrencies owned by individuals who are not long-term UK residents and non-resident trusts.  

There had been a question as to whether digital assets, such as Cryptocurrencies, could be regarded as propiedad, as they do not fit neatly within the existing categories of personal property or choses in action. This has been resolved by the enactment of the Ley de Propiedad (Activos Digitales, etc.) de 2025 el 2 de diciembre de 2025, que establece que los derechos de propiedad personal se aplican a esta tercera categoría de bienes. Por lo tanto, queda claro que pueden distribuirse según lo dispuesto en un testamento y ser utilizados por los apoderados. 

Due consideration should be given during estate planning, will drafting, and the preparation of lasting powers of attorney, to ensure that Crypto assets are dealt with appropriately. There may well be specific instructions to deal with Crypto assets in a lasting power of attorney. 

Unlike banknotes or other valuable items such as gold or silver, cryptocurrencies are stored using a virtual wallet, which only holds the digital keys, such as a password and recovery phrase for secure access, while the currency stays in a ledger in the blockchain, a decentralised digital database.  You must keep the details of your cryptocurrency wallet somewhere safe, and let your executors and attorneys know where to find the information to enable them to access these.  

In the absence of good planning and organisation, cryptocurrencies could be lost or may become inaccessible after death. If a person dies or loses capacity and the private keys to a cryptocurrency wallet are lost, then the cryptocurrency is essentially lost forever, as the blockchains being decentralised are highly secure and a private key cannot be restored.  

Llevar un inventario de tus activos digitales, junto con información importante como el tipo de activo digital, la cantidad que posees, el tipo de monedero y la ubicación de almacenamiento, sería una herramienta muy útil para la correcta administración de tu patrimonio, así como todos los nombres de usuario de las cuentas en línea y las instrucciones específicas sobre cómo acceder a la clave privada del monedero. 

Key information pertaining to your digital assets should not be included in wills o codicils as these would eventually become public documents. A sealed letter of wishes or confidential letter addressed to your executors can be stored with your will so that you know that they will be able to access and manage the digital assets. Specific authority for such letters to be shown to attorneys of a Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney can be provided in the Lasting Power of Attorney. 

If you require any assistance in ensuring that your digital assets are preserved, can be used for your benefit if you were to lose capacity, and can be distributed to your chosen beneficiaries after your death, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Particulares department: privateclient@rfblegal.co.uk.