Most people writing a Will think about their house, their bank accounts, and their jewellery. These are the obvious things. What often gets left out is everything that exists only online.

A crypto wallet. A trading account. A YouTube channel that earns money. A domain name with real value. These are real assets, and most families never find out about them until after the person is gone.

The challenge is not just making sure your family knows these assets exist. They also need to know how to access them. Unlike a bank account, where your family may be able to approach the bank after your death, a crypto wallet cannot be accessed without the right credentials. If the private key or seed phrase is lost, the assets may become inaccessible.

This blog covers what digital assets are, how to include them in your Will, how to store access details safely, and the one thing that must never go inside the Will itself.

Key Highlights

• Digital assets include cryptocurrency, NFTs, online accounts, domain names, and cloud storage

• NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token. It is a unique digital item stored in a crypto wallet

• Crypto held on an exchange can be claimed by heirs through the exchange. Crypto in a personal wallet can only be opened using the private key or seed phrase

• Your Will should name the asset and the person who receives it. It must never contain the actual password, private key, or seed phrase

• Credentials must be stored somewhere safe and separate. The Will only points to where they are

• Under Indian income tax rules, cryptocurrency is called a Virtual Digital Asset, or VDA. Gains on selling a VDA are taxed at 30 percent

What Is a Digital Asset?

A digital asset is something you own that lives online and has value. Some have value in monetary terms. Some have business value. Some are just important to your family, like photos in Cloud storage.

Here are the main types:

• Cryptocurrency. This means Bitcoin, Ethereum, or any other coin. You might hold it on an Indian exchange like CoinDCX or WazirX, on a foreign exchange, or in your own personal wallet.

• NFTs stand for Non-Fungible Tokens. These are unique digital items, like digital art or collectables, stored in a crypto wallet.

• Online trading and investment accounts. These could be on Indian platforms or international ones.

• Domain names and websites. Especially ones that earn money from ads or can be sold.

• Monetised accounts. A YouTube channel, a podcast, or any online account that earns regular income.

• Online business accounts. An Amazon or Etsy seller account, for example.

• Cloud storage. Files, photos, and documents saved on Google Drive, iCloud, or similar services.

Each one needs a slightly different approach in your Will because they are accessed and transferred differently.

Can You Put Cryptocurrency in a Will in India?

Yes. There is no law in India against leaving cryptocurrency to someone in your Will. You name who gets it, just like you would for a bank account or property.

Under the Income Tax Act, 2025, which replaced the older Income Tax Act from 1 April 2026, cryptocurrency is treated as a Virtual Digital Asset, or VDA. If a VDA is sold after being inherited, the profit is taxed at 30 percent. A one percent tax is also deducted at Source, called TDS, on transfers above certain amounts.

The person who inherits the crypto will need to deal with the tax when they eventually sell. Because tax rules can change, they should check with a tax professional at that time.

The legal part is not the hard part. The hard part is making sure your family can actually access what you leave behind.

Why Crypto Needs to Be Handled Differently in a Will

When you pass away, accessing a bank account and accessing a crypto wallet are two very different things.

For a bank account, your family contacts the bank, submits documents, and the bank releases the money. Simple.

With a personal crypto wallet, there’s no bank to contact and no company that can reset access. The wallet can only be accessed with the private key or seed phrase.

If no one in your family has access to it, the crypto may be lost permanently,sitting in the wallet, with no way for your loved ones to reach it.

This is a real and growing problem worldwide. A large amount of Bitcoin is thought to be permanently locked because the owners passed away without leaving access instructions. AasaanWill's blog on safeguarding your crypto explains why this happens and how to prevent it.

Crypto held on a cryptocurrency exchange is different. The exchange maintains records of your holdings, and many platforms have a process for handling a deceased customer’s account.

Heirs may need to provide documents such as the death certificate, identity and KYC documents, and proof of their legal right to claim the assets. The exact requirements vary by exchange.

So, check your exchange’s process,and make sure your family knows where your crypto is held.

What Should Your Will Say About Your Digital Assets?

For each digital asset, your Will needs to do three things: 

• Name the asset.

• Name who gets it.

• Say where the access instructions are kept.

For example, I leave my Bitcoin, held in a hardware wallet, to my son. The wallet is in the drawer of my study. The seed phrase is written on paper and kept in a sealed envelope in my bank locker.

But notice what’s missing from the Will: the seed phrase itself.

That’s the rule.

Never put private keys, seed phrases, passwords or exchange login credentials in your Will. A Will may become accessible to others during certain legal processes. If those credentials are exposed, someone could access the assets before your family does.

The Will should identify who inherits the crypto and where the access information can be found,not the credentials themselves.

How to Keep Crypto Access Details Safe for Your Family?

The details need to be easy to find for the right person and impossible to find for everyone else.

One simple method: Write the seed phrase on paper, seal it in an envelope, and store it in your bank locker. Your Will says which locker and where the envelope is.

Another method: Split the seed phrase into two parts. Keep one part with a trusted person and one in the locker. Your Will explains how to put them together.

A third option: Keep the hardware wallet in one place and the seed phrase in a different secure place. Your Will points to both.

Once you have set this up, test it. Read your Will as if you are your executor. Could you follow the instructions and actually reach the credentials? If not, make the necessary changes while you still can.

What Other Digital Assets Belong in Your Will?

Here are a few other digital assets that belong in your Will that you should know about: 

• NFTs stored in wallets need the same treatment as crypto. The wallet access details matter as much as the NFT itself.

• Foreign investment and platform accounts come with extra rules. AasaanWill's blog on including foreign assets in estate planning covers what to do when assets are on international platforms.

• Domain names and websites should be named in your Will with the registrar details and the beneficiary. If a site earns money, it has real business value.

• Monetised social media and content accounts, like a YouTube channel or a newsletter that earns income, should be included with transfer instructions.

• Cloud storage accounts usually cannot be transferred to someone else. But noting where important family photos and documents are stored is still useful.

The same pattern applies to all of them - name the asset, name the beneficiary, and store the access details separately.

How to Include Digital Assets in Your Will

First, make a full list of every digital asset you own. For each one, write enough detail to find it. Exchange or wallet type for crypto. Registrar name for a domain. Platform name for an online account. AasaanWill's blog on building an inventory of your assets has a format you can follow.

Second, decide who gets each asset. Name them clearly. Vague wording causes problems later.

Third, set up a safe place to store the access details. Make sure your executor can reach them by following the instructions in the Will.

Fourth, get the Will drafted with the digital asset clauses written in properly. The executor needs clear authority to deal with exchanges, wallets, and platforms on your behalf.

Fifth, sign the Will in front of two witnesses who also sign. This is the same requirement as for any other Will.

Sixth, check the list every six months. Crypto holdings change quickly.

Common Questions From People With Digital Assets

People who own digital assets often have the same questions:

• Can I include crypto in my Will under Indian law? Yes, digital assets can be addressed as part of your estate planning.

• Is it dangerous to write down a seed phrase? It can be risky if stored carelessly. But secure, planned storage is essential if you want your family to be able to access a self-custodied asset after your death.

• What if my family doesn’t understand crypto? That makes choosing the right executor and leaving clear access instructions especially important.

• What if my crypto is held on a foreign exchange? You can still address these assets in your Indian Will, but the exchange’s inheritance and account-claim process may also need to be considered.

• What happens to my digital business assets? YouTube channels, websites, domain names and other digital assets can have significant value and should be identified and planned for as part of your estate.

How AasaanWill Helps With Digital Asset Planning in a Will

AasaanWill helps you bring digital assets into your Will correctly. Our team assists with:

• Writing a Will that lists your crypto, NFTs, and other digital assets with named beneficiaries

• Setting up the access trail so credentials are safe but reachable by the executor

• Explaining how exchange-held crypto and wallet-held crypto need different handling

• Including foreign platform accounts properly in the Will

• Updating the Will when your digital holdings change

Digital assets are real wealth. AasaanWill can help you make sure they reach the right people.

Conclusion

Digital assets like cryptocurrency, NFTs, domain names, and monetised accounts are now part of many Indian families' wealth. They can go into your Will legally and without complication.

The rule is simple. The Will names what you own and who gets it, and points to where the access instructions are stored. The actual passwords, private keys, and seed phrases are kept somewhere separate and safe, never written inside the Will itself.

Check your list regularly. Pick an executor who can handle technology or will get help from someone who can. AasaanWill can help you write a Will that covers your full digital estate properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can cryptocurrency be included in a Will in India?

Yes. No law in India prevents cryptocurrency from being passed on through a Will. You name the crypto, the person who receives it, and the location of the access credentials, just like any other asset in the Will.

2. What is a VDA in Indian income tax?

VDA stands for Virtual Digital Asset. Under the Income Tax Act, 2025, cryptocurrency is classified as a VDA. When someone sells inherited crypto, the profit is taxed at 30 percent. A tax professional should be consulted at the time of any transfer.

3. What is the difference between exchange-held crypto and wallet-held crypto?

Exchange-held crypto is stored with the cryptocurrency exchange, and heirs can claim it through the exchange's process. Wallet-held crypto is controlled only by the private key or seed phrase, which must be stored separately and referenced in the Will.

4. Should I put my private key or seed phrase inside my Will?

No. It is not safe to put private keys, seed phrases, or passwords in the Will. A Will can become publicly accessible during legal processes. Store them separately and only reference their location inside the Will.

5. What is a seed phrase and why does it matter for passing on crypto?

A seed phrase is a set of words, usually 12 or 24, that gives complete control over a crypto wallet. Without it, wallet-held crypto cannot be accessed by anyone. Storing it safely and noting its location in the Will is essential.

6. What does NFT stand for and how is it handled in a Will?

NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token. NFTs are unique digital items stored in crypto wallets. Name the NFT and the beneficiary in the Will, and store the wallet access details separately, with the location referenced in the Will.

7. What digital assets other than crypto should be in a Will?

Domain names, income-generating websites, monetised YouTube channels, online business accounts, and foreign investment platform accounts should all be named in the Will with clear beneficiaries.

8. What is TDS on cryptocurrency in India?

TDS stands for Tax Deducted at Source. A one percent TDS applies to cryptocurrency transfers above certain amounts under Indian income tax rules. Both parties may have tax obligations, and professional advice is recommended.

9. Can a YouTube channel or website be left to someone in a Will?

Yes. A monetised YouTube channel or income-generating website can be named with a beneficiary in the Will. Include the platform name and the location of the login credentials stored separately.

10. What should I look for when choosing an executor for a Will with digital assets?

Choose someone who is comfortable with technology or who is willing to get help from someone who is. They need to follow the credential trail and deal with exchanges and platforms on behalf of the estate.

11. How often should I update the digital assets section of my Will?

You should update the digital assets section of your Will at least every six months or whenever your holdings change. Crypto portfolios and platform accounts change faster than most other assets.

12. What is a digital asset inventory for a Will?

It is a list of every digital account and holding you own with enough detail to find each one. Include the platform name, the type of asset, and a note on where the access credentials are stored separately.

13. Can my family access exchange-held crypto without special credentials?

If a nomination exists on the exchange account, the nominee can claim through the cryptocurrency exchange. Without a nomination, heirs use heirship documents. Check your specific exchange's death claim procedure.

14. Is cloud storage like Google Drive transferable in a Will?

Most cloud accounts cannot be formally transferred. However, noting the account and its contents in the Will helps your family find important documents and photographs.

15. Can AasaanWill help me include cryptocurrency in my Will?

Yes. AasaanWill helps you name digital assets and beneficiaries in the Will, advises on the access credential trail, and guides you on handling both Indian and international platform holdings.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented reflects the law as of the date of publication. For advice on your specific situation, please consult a qualified advocate.

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