Trustees hesitate as crypto millionaires seek offshore wealth structures: report

Wealthy crypto investors and entrepreneurs have increasingly sought offshore trusts for estate planning and tax efficiency, but trustees have remained reluctant to take on digital assets because of volatility, custody risks and concerns over the source of funds. Summary Wealthy crypto investors are increasingly seeking offshore trusts to preserve assets across generations and reduce inheritance tax exposure. Trustees remain reluctant to accept crypto because of price volatility, custody risks and difficulties verifying the source of digital asset wealth. UK taxpayers sold £13.8 billion of crypto in the year to April 2025, with nearly 250 people recording capital gains above £1 million. Specialist screening tools can trace crypto transactions and trading histories, but trustees still face fiduciary duties to protect assets for future beneficiaries. The Financial Times reported that lawyers and trust advisers are seeing more requests from people who made their fortunes through cryptocurrency trading, token investments and digital asset businesses and now want to move some of that wealth into conventional trust structures. Trusts can separate assets from an individual’s personal estat...