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Greetings, advisors!
This week, Joyce Lai examines the emerging trend of clients incorporating cryptocurrency into their estate plans, highlighting the potential risk for traditional advisors who overlook this expanding asset class.
In the "Ask an Expert" section, Bryan Courchesne, CEO of DAiM, provides insights into market sentiment and investment trends.
Enjoy the read!
Are You Managing the Crypto Already in Your Clients' Estate Plans?
As digital currencies and blockchain technology increasingly integrate into traditional finance, many individuals now see cryptocurrencies as long-term holdings that could be passed down to heirs. Nevertheless, a disconnect persists between the crypto assets clients possess and the willingness of conventional advisors to engage with them. In an era where the value of an advisor extends beyond merely offering investment guidance to simplifying clients' lives—by minimizing account numbers, paperwork, and contacts—this gap presents a critical opportunity for advisors to either strengthen or weaken their client relationships.
Recently, I conducted an informal survey among crypto-holding members of the Real Mamas of Crypto community, which consists of over 220 tech professionals who are also mothers. Each participant is financially savvy and closely observes their children's preferences regarding investments. The survey results were clear and should serve as a wake-up call for traditional wealth advisors.
Survey Insight: Do Your Financial Advisors Manage Your Crypto Holdings?
Results from the informal survey conducted within the Real Mamas community.
Long-Term Holders Identified Nearly all respondents regarded bitcoin, ether, or solana as essential long-term investments. When asked about their reactions to capital shifting towards AI stocks or IPOs, the prevailing response was, "I notice but hold." This indicates a buy-and-hold strategy rather than the speculative trading often depicted in mainstream narratives.
Crypto is Already in the Family Plan Approximately half of the participants indicated that cryptocurrencies are included in their estate or inheritance planning, with many contemplating transferring these assets to their children. Thus, crypto has become a part of the family financial landscape, regardless of whether advisors are involved.
Advisors Are Largely Absent in Crypto Management Only one individual reported that their advisor manages their cryptocurrency. Others noted that their advisors either acknowledge the assets but refuse to engage, lack knowledge, or that they have no advisor whatsoever. When queried on what would make them trust an advisor with their crypto, respondents highlighted the necessity for demonstrated expertise in the field, an understanding of privacy issues, and proven competence in tax and custody matters. One respondent emphasized that an advisor should be "crypto native, not just a traditional finance advisor who skimmed a whitepaper."
What Younger Generations Want In a separate informal poll targeting individuals aged 18 to 23, few indicated they would seek financial advice from an advisor. They prioritized AI tools and parental guidance, citing reasons such as cost, trust, and ease of access. When asked about the characteristics of a good advisor, the consensus was that they prefer collaboration over lectures, desiring someone who works with them rather than just speaking at them.
How can advisors capture attention in this arena? The survey responses provide a clear roadmap:
- First, establish competence before initiating discussions. Understanding crypto tax implications, custody solutions, and estate planning for digital assets should be standard.
- Second, adopt a family office approach. Provide estate planning, tax preparation, and accounting services as a unified package, particularly for clients comfortable managing their own portfolios.
- Third, emphasize collaboration rather than lecturing, catering to both the mothers managing household finances and the children who will inherit those assets. This includes integrating AI as a beneficial component of advisory services and a foundation for research. While clients still desire human advisors, the next generation is open to incorporating AI into their financial discussions.
Additionally, it’s noteworthy that several members of this community, having successfully navigated multiple market cycles, are now establishing advisory practices focused on this underserved demographic. The market is evolving rapidly.
- Joyce Lai, founder, Real Mamas Community and New Territories LLC
Ask an Expert
Q. Why are more investors opting for professional management of digital assets instead of managing them independently?
As digital assets mature, investors are increasingly differentiating between speculative trading and wealth accumulation. More products are emerging that provide marketable exposure to assets—from bitcoin ETFs to pre-IPO companies—but ownership and exposure are not synonymous.
Many investors prefer direct ownership of their assets without the risks associated with self-custody. As portfolios expand, they begin to consider custody, estate planning, reporting, and overarching financial objectives rather than just the next trade.
Speculation historically tends to yield more losers than winners, while disciplined ownership, effective planning, and a long-term investment strategy are more conducive to wealth creation. Consequently, many investors seek professional guidance to help integrate digital assets into a comprehensive financial strategy.
Q. How should advisors respond to negative media coverage?
There were negative headlines in March 2020 and during the market downturn of late 2022. Despite significant volatility in bitcoin, the underlying network functioned as intended throughout both periods.
This distinction is crucial for both advisors and investors. Media reactions often reflect short-term sentiments, while long-term investment outcomes are predominantly influenced by fundamentals.
Bitcoin was not broken then, and it is not broken now. Historically, moments of extreme pessimism have coincided with some of the most favorable opportunities for long-term investors. Although past performance does not guarantee future results, investors must recognize that negative news and sharp declines have been recurring elements of bitcoin's market cycle since its inception.
The key is to maintain focus on the reasons for owning the asset in the first place. If the investment thesis remains intact, temporary market fluctuations and negative headlines should be contextualized rather than viewed in isolation.
Q. What should advisors communicate to their clients regarding crypto at this time?
Some of the most promising opportunities in bitcoin have arisen when investor sentiment was at its lowest. Currently, several market indicators are nearing levels that have historically aligned with extreme pessimism, similar to March 2020 and late 2022.
History does not repeat perfectly, but it often has similarities. Advisors should assist clients in distinguishing between short-term fears and long-term fundamentals. For investors with a multi-year perspective, periods of market stress have often rewarded patience and disciplined allocation strategies far more than attempts to react to headlines.
Keep Reading
The U.S. SEC has scheduled a meeting on August 14 to propose "Regulation Crypto," a formal rule that would create a legal pathway for crypto firms to raise capital without triggering SEC registration requirements.
The Bank of England is advancing its Digital Pound Lab to Phase 2, focusing on the interoperability of stablecoins and CBDCs in trade finance, with Polygon facilitating settlement infrastructure.
The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency states that crypto companies should be permitted to apply for U.S. bank charters, potentially opening a route for digital asset firms to access the national banking system.
For more updates, follow the latest crypto news on coindesk.com and market insights from coindesk.com/institutions.
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Zcash’s Tachyon upgrade aims to scale shielded payments, improve quantum readiness, and test whether its funding, security, and governance can hold.
By CoinDesk ResearchJun 30, 2026Commissioned byGenZcashZcash’s Tachyon upgrade aims to scale shielded payments, improve quantum readiness, and test whether its funding, security, and governance can hold.
Why it matters:
Zcash’s Tachyon upgrade aims to scale shielded payments, improve quantum readiness, and test whether its funding, security, and governance can hold.
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