Kresus launches crypto asset inheritance service for self-custody users. Users can pass cryptocurrencies to their heirs without sharing their private keys. New tools aim to simplify legacy planning for digital assets.
Kresus has launched a new estate planning service designed to help cryptocurrency investors securely transfer digital assets to beneficiaries after death without having to share private keys or resort to complex recovery procedures.
The company said its new subscription-based service, called ‘Kresus Inheritance,’ is built directly into self-custody wallets and aims to address one of the biggest challenges facing cryptocurrency investors: allowing digital assets to be inherited across generations while maintaining lifelong control for users.
The launch comes as ownership of cryptocurrencies continues to expand while concerns persist over the long-term management and inheritance of self-custodial digital assets.
Kresus introduces inheritance planning for crypto holders
Cresus said that while self-custody gives users complete control over their crypto holdings, the support infrastructure available with traditional asset management has not kept pace.
The company says beneficiary designations, estate transfer mechanisms, recovery pathways and long-term planning tools remain largely absent from the self-custody ecosystem.
Existing alternatives often require users to expose sensitive information, such as writing down a seed phrase or sharing a private key, creating potential security risks.
“We’ve already lost significant digital assets because there was no plan for what happens next,” Cresus founder and CEO Trevor Traina said.
“Self-custody shouldn’t mean your assets disappear if something happens to you. With Kresus Inheritance, we give our users a safe and affordable way to protect their inheritance and ensure the wealth they build is passed on to the next generation.”
The service costs $99.99 per year and is integrated into the Kresus wallet.
How inheritance services work
Kresus Inheritance allows users to designate a beneficiary who can access the wallet owner’s cryptocurrency holdings only after a predefined period of inactivity.
The company said that private keys are never shared during the transfer process, allowing users to remain active and have full control over their assets.
Cresus also emphasized that it does not take custody of customer assets.
The wallet owner remains in control unless a defined period of inactivity has elapsed and an inheritance process is triggered.
The company says users holding $50,000 in Bitcoin can designate a spouse or adult child as a beneficiary without allowing them access to the assets before a verified succession event occurs.
Crypto asset ownership increases as inheritance concerns persist
Cresus cited a Harris Poll study that estimates that 55 million American adults, or 21% of the population, currently own cryptocurrencies.
At the same time, the company pointed to a study by the Cremation Association that found 89% of crypto investors are worried about what will happen to their digital assets after death.
The company says Kresus Inheritance aims to address that concern by providing users with built-in succession planning tools before they need them.
The launch also expands on Kresus’ broader wallet platform, which the company said already serves millions of self-custody wallet users through Kresus Wallet, mini-app experiences, and enterprise solutions.
Cresus said the new service reflects the company’s strategy to expand beyond digital asset custody to a broader wealth management platform, making succession planning part of the self-custody experience for crypto investors.
