Key Takeaways
- Uphold has launched an inheritance feature for XRP, Bitcoin, and HBAR held in its Vault.
- A named beneficiary cannot see or move the assets while the owner is alive.
- After a death, Uphold must approve a documented claim before a transfer.
- The published terms leave questions about the setup fee, UK availability, and how contested claims would be handled.
An XRP holder can leave their tokens to someone in an estate plan, but that person may still have no way to access the wallet.
Uphold is addressing that problem with Vault Inheritance, announced on Sept. 29, letting Vault customers name someone to receive their XRP, Bitcoin, or HBAR after they die.
It also puts Uphold in charge of a crucial step — deciding when an inheritance claim has passed its legal and operational checks.
Your Heir Gets a Key—But Cannot Use It Yet
A Vault owner invites a beneficiary through the Uphold app, and that recipient will create an Uphold account and complete identity checks before accepting the invitation.
According to Uphold’s inheritance guide, the beneficiary then receives a cryptographic key.
It cannot authorize a transfer on its own, however.
The beneficiary cannot see the owner’s balances, transaction history, or even which assets are held in the Vault.
After the owner dies, the beneficiary must start a claim and supply official documents, such as a death certificate or a relevant court order.
Uphold says its legal and operations teams then review the evidence.
If the claim is approved, the beneficiary uses their key, and Uphold countersigns the transfer to their account.
Uphold’s Inheritance Tool Reaches Beyond the US
This is not just a US-focused launch.
Uphold’s Vault terms say the wallet is offered to customers in the UK, the European Economic Area, most US states and other regions.
The firm says the new inheritance feature is available to Vault customers, giving XRP holders across those markets a way to name a beneficiary before their assets become difficult to access.
However, the cost may differ by location.
Uphold’s UK Vault page still shows its earlier subscription prices and has not yet been updated with an inheritance fee.
The firm’s product information permits one beneficiary, who must be at least 18.
It says the owner can change that person, but does not set out a public timetable for resolving claims or explain what happens when relatives dispute one.
Vault also supports some other XRP Ledger tokens, including RLUSD, but the inheritance announcement specifically names XRP, BTC and HBAR.
