The Modern Crypto Portfolio: Beyond Bitcoin
In 2026, a crypto portfolio is no longer just Bitcoin and Ethereum. Modern investors hold:
- NFTs: Digital art, collectibles, gaming assets
- Stablecoins: USDT, USDC, DAI for yield farming
- DeFi Positions: Liquidity pools, staking, lending
- RWA Tokens: Tokenized real estate, bonds, commodities
- Governance Tokens: DAO participation, voting rights
- Layer 2 Assets: Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon tokens
The challenge: Each asset type requires different inheritance strategies. A one-size-fits-all approach won't work.
The Complete On-Chain Wealth Succession Checklist
Category 1: Core Protocol Assets
Bitcoin (BTC)
- Storage Method: Cold storage, exchange, or custody service
- Wallet Type: Hardware wallet (Ledger/Trezor), software wallet, or exchange
- Backup Location: Seed phrase storage location
- Recovery Instructions: Step-by-step guide for heirs
- Current Value: Approximate value (for estate planning)
Ethereum (ETH)
- Storage Method: Hardware wallet, MetaMask, or exchange
- Network: Mainnet, Layer 2 (Arbitrum, Optimism), or testnet
- Gas Wallet: Separate wallet for transaction fees
- Recovery Instructions: How to access and transfer ETH
- ERC-20 Tokens: List of associated tokens
Category 2: Stablecoins
USDT (Tether)
- Chain: Ethereum, Tron, or other blockchain
- Storage Location: Exchange or self-custody wallet
- Yield Strategy: If earning yield, document platform and process
- Transfer Instructions: How to move USDT to heirs
USDC (USD Coin)
- Chain: Ethereum, Polygon, or other blockchain
- Storage Location: Exchange or self-custody wallet
- Yield Strategy: If earning yield, document platform and process
- Transfer Instructions: How to move USDC to heirs
DAI (MakerDAO)
- Storage Location: Self-custody wallet or DeFi protocol
- CDP Status: If using MakerDAO, document collateralization
- Yield Strategy: If earning yield, document platform
- Transfer Instructions: How to access and transfer DAI
Category 3: NFTs and Digital Collectibles
NFT Collections
- Collection Names: List all NFT collections
- Storage Location: MetaMask, hardware wallet, or marketplace
- Marketplace Accounts: OpenSea, LooksRare, Blur, etc.
- Royalty Settings: If you're a creator, document royalty contracts
- Transfer Instructions: How to transfer NFTs to heirs
- Valuation: Approximate value of each collection
Gaming Assets
- Game Platforms: Axie Infinity, The Sandbox, Decentraland, etc.
- Asset Types: Characters, land, items, tokens
- Wallet Connections: Which wallets are connected to games
- Transfer Instructions: Platform-specific transfer processes
Category 4: DeFi Positions
Liquidity Pools (LP Tokens)
- Platform: Uniswap, SushiSwap, Curve, Balancer, etc.
- Pool Pairs: Which token pairs you're providing liquidity for
- LP Token Location: Where LP tokens are stored
- Withdrawal Instructions: How to exit positions
- Impermanent Loss: Document potential risks
Staking Positions
- Staked Assets: ETH 2.0, SOL, ADA, etc.
- Staking Platform: Lido, Rocket Pool, or native staking
- Reward Wallet: Where staking rewards are sent
- Unstaking Period: Lock-up periods and withdrawal timelines
- Transfer Instructions: How to manage or transfer staked assets
Lending/Borrowing
- Platform: Aave, Compound, MakerDAO, etc.
- Supplied Assets: What you've lent to protocols
- Borrowed Assets: What you've borrowed (if any)
- Collateral Ratio: Current collateralization status
- Liquidation Risk: Document liquidation thresholds
- Transfer Instructions: How to close positions
Category 5: Governance Tokens
DAO Participation
- DAOs: List all DAOs you participate in
- Token Holdings: Governance tokens you hold
- Voting Rights: Active proposals and voting history
- Treasury Access: If you have treasury access, document it
- Transfer Instructions: How to transfer governance rights
Category 6: Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokens
Tokenized Real Estate
- Platform: RealT, Lofty, or other RWA platforms
- Property Tokens: List of tokenized properties
- Yield: Rental income or dividend structure
- Transfer Instructions: Platform-specific transfer process
Tokenized Bonds/Securities
- Platform: Ondo Finance, Centrifuge, or other platforms
- Asset Types: Government bonds, corporate bonds, etc.
- Yield Structure: Interest rates and payment schedules
- Transfer Instructions: How to transfer tokenized securities
Category 7: Layer 2 and Alternative Chains
Layer 2 Assets
- Networks: Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, zkSync, etc.
- Bridge Status: Assets bridged to Layer 2
- Wallet Addresses: Layer 2 wallet addresses
- Transfer Instructions: How to bridge back to mainnet if needed
Alternative Chains
- Chains: Solana, Avalanche, Cosmos, Polkadot, etc.
- Wallet Types: Chain-specific wallets
- Asset Holdings: Tokens on each chain
- Transfer Instructions: Chain-specific transfer processes
Category 8: Exchange Accounts
Centralized Exchanges
- Exchanges: Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, etc.
- Account Types: Spot, futures, margin accounts
- 2FA Setup: Two-factor authentication methods
- API Keys: If using API, document key management
- Transfer Instructions: How to access and withdraw funds
Decentralized Exchanges (DEX)
- Platforms: Uniswap, SushiSwap, 1inch, etc.
- Connected Wallets: Which wallets are connected
- Trading History: Document any active positions
- Transfer Instructions: How to manage DEX positions
Special Considerations
Tax Implications
- Cost Basis: Document purchase prices for tax purposes
- Holding Periods: Long-term vs. short-term holdings
- Tax Strategy: Any tax-loss harvesting or optimization strategies
- Accountant Contact: Tax professional familiar with crypto
Security Best Practices
- Hardware Wallets: All high-value assets in cold storage
- Seed Phrase Backups: Multiple secure backup locations
- 2FA Recovery: Backup codes for all 2FA-enabled accounts
- Emergency Contacts: Trusted contacts who can assist heirs
Legal Documentation
- Will Reference: Link to will or trust documents
- Legal Counsel: Attorney familiar with digital assets
- Estate Planning: Coordination with estate planning documents
- Beneficiary Designations: Who inherits which assets
How to Use This Checklist with Afterglow
Step 1: Complete the Checklist
Go through each category and document your assets. Important: Only document metadata (locations, types, instructions)—never store actual seed phrases or private keys.
Step 2: Organize by Priority
Prioritize assets by:
- Value: High-value assets first
- Complexity: Complex positions need more detailed instructions
- Time Sensitivity: Assets that may expire or lose value quickly
Step 3: Create Instructions
For each asset category, create step-by-step instructions:
- How to access the asset
- How to transfer or manage it
- Any special considerations or risks
- Contact information for support
Step 4: Store in Afterglow Vault
Upload your completed checklist and instructions to your Afterglow vault. The encrypted storage ensures your heirs have everything they need when inheritance is triggered.
Download: Complete Asset Inventory Template
Get started with our comprehensive On-Chain Wealth Succession Checklist PDF. This template includes all categories above plus additional sections for:
- Social tokens
- Metaverse assets
- Web3 identity (ENS, Lens Protocol)
- Creator economy assets
Creators should also review our YouTube business continuity guide to protect their digital brand and ensure seamless transfer of channel ownership, AdSense accounts, and brand assets.
Download the Complete Checklist →
FAQ: On-Chain Wealth Succession
How often should I update this checklist?
Update your checklist:
- Monthly: For active traders or DeFi users
- Quarterly: For long-term holders
- Immediately: When adding new asset types or platforms
What if I have assets on multiple chains?
Document each chain separately. Include:
- Chain name and network ID
- Wallet addresses for each chain
- Bridge information if assets are bridged
- Chain-specific transfer instructions
How do I value NFTs for estate planning?
NFT valuation is challenging. Consider:
- Recent Sales: Similar NFTs sold recently
- Floor Price: Current floor price of collection
- Appraisal: Professional NFT appraisal (if high value)
- Documentation: Keep records of purchase prices
What about assets in DeFi that are earning yield?
Document:
- Current yield rates
- How to claim rewards
- How to exit positions
- Any lock-up periods or penalties
Can I use this checklist for non-crypto digital assets?
Yes. This checklist can be adapted for:
- Domain names
- Social media accounts
- Cloud storage accounts
- Software licenses
- Digital subscriptions
Get Started: Complete Your Inventory
Don't leave your heirs guessing. Complete your on-chain wealth succession checklist today and store it securely in your Afterglow vault.
Learn more about crypto inheritance solutions →
Questions? Contact us at support@digitalheirloom.app