Who will get your micro-investments and cryptocurrency when you die?
February 17, 2026
Micro-investing and cryptocurrency are now mainstream investments: 22% of Australians invested in shares & EFTs through micro-investing apps in 2022 and 20% of Australian owned cryptocurrency in 2024. Have the new generation of investors considered what will happen to these digital assets when they’re gone though?
The prevalence and value of these investments have increased rapidly in recent years. The average Australian cryptocurrency portfolio last year was worth $21,426. So how can you make sure that these valuable assets are not forgotten when your estate is administered?
- Make a comprehensive list of all your digital investing accounts & assets and keep it up to date. It will be difficult for your executor to track down these assets if your only records are stored in your emails or online. Worse yet, your executor might not even be aware that these digital assets hold financial value which could lead to your beneficiaries missing out.
- Consider how to manage your account details so that you can protect your privacy while you’re alive and your executor will be able to deal with these assets when you’re gone.
- Find out if the investment platforms you use offer a tool to direct how your account will be dealt with upon your death. Each platform will have their own varying terms and conditions which will impact what will happen on your death.
- Think about whether you need to have a will prepared which specifically deals with how your digital assets are to be dealt with.
- Review your digital investments regularly and consider whether your estate plan needs to be updated. As the laws surrounding digital assets continue to evolve, you should review your estate plan often to identify whether updates are required as legislation develops.
Please contact our Estate Planning team if you need advice on how to manage your digital assets in your estate plan.
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