List your crypto exchange accounts so your family can find them

Why each exchange needs its own entry

Exchanges and apps are separate companies with separate rules. Your family will need to contact each one on its own. A single line that says "I have crypto" won't help them find the accounts or prove they're entitled to ask about them. List every exchange and app where you hold coins, even small amounts or old accounts you haven't used in a while.

For each one, write the name of the company and the email address you used to sign up. That email is often the key to everything else. If you used a different email for each exchange, say so. Your family will need to get into that email or show the company they're handling your estate.

What your family will be asked for

Companies change their rules, so check the current help page for exact steps. In general, though, your family will need to prove who they are and that they have the authority to act for you. That usually means a death certificate and papers showing they're the executor or administrator of your estate. Some companies ask for a copy of the will or a letter from a court. The rules differ by state and by country, so check what applies where you live.

They may also need to show that they control the email address on the account. If you used two-factor authentication with your phone, they'll need access to that phone or a way to get past it. Leave a note about which phone number or authenticator app you used for each exchange. Don't write passwords in the envelope; instead, say where they are stored or how to reset them. For more on that, see why not share passwords.

What to write for each account

Keep it simple and consistent. For every exchange or app, write:

• The name of the exchange or app.
• The email address you used to sign up.
• The phone number linked to the account, if any.
• Whether you used an authenticator app or text codes.
• Any nickname or account number the company uses.
• A note about what you hold there, in general terms (for example, "mostly bitcoin" or "a mix").

Don't write your passwords or seed phrases in the envelope. If you have a hardware wallet, keep those notes separate and follow the guidance in hardware wallet notes. The envelope is for pointing your family to the right places, not for storing the keys themselves.

Where the envelope fits

Put this list in the "Crypto" section of your envelope. If you also have a hardware wallet or coins in a wallet you control, note that in the same section but keep the details in a separate, secure place. Your family should be able to see that crypto exists and where to start, without finding everything in one unsecured spot.

If you're not sure what else belongs in the envelope, the checklist can help you build the rest of the picture.

Keep it current

Exchanges change names, merge, or shut down. You might open a new account or close an old one. Once a year, open your envelope and check the crypto section against your actual accounts. Update the email addresses and phone numbers if they've changed. If you've moved to a new exchange, add it and remove the old one.

It also helps to tell one person you trust that the envelope exists and where to find it. You don't have to share the contents now. Just make sure they know it's there. For more on choosing who to tell, see legacy contacts.

If you hold crypto in other ways

This guide is about exchanges and apps that hold coins for you. If you also have a wallet you control yourself, or if you've lost the keys to a wallet, there are separate guides for those situations. See crypto handoff plan and crypto but no keys.