Dividing digital wealth: why specialist legal advice is essential in crypto divorce cases
Commenting in The Daily Mail, Associate Michal Stepniak examines the legal complexities surrounding cryptocurrencies and digital assets in divorce, highlighting the importance of securing specialist legal advice when dealing with these increasingly significant assets.
"Crypto and digital assets are fast becoming a staple of modern wealth. But without a lawyer who truly understands how these virtual fortunes work and how they should be dealt with, you could end up waving goodbye to a substantial sum. In a world of Bitcoin, wallets and private keys, failing to get the right advice could mean leaving serious money on the table.
"It is not uncommon to see spouses argue that their cryptocurrency holdings are simply too volatile to be given any meaningful value, due to the nature of the market. But the truth is that most investors are not dabbling in obscure digital tokens - they are holding the heavyweights: Bitcoin, Ethereum and even Tether, which is specifically designed to maintain a steady value as a so-called stablecoin.
"In divorce proceedings, spouses may try to take advantage of their partners’ ignorance on the subject matter and try to convince them the asset is either inherently worthless or too volatile to settle on a value. That misunderstanding can prove costly and those spouses need to have an experienced lawyer in their corner making sure that no stone is being left unturned.
"Cryptocurrency is often marketed as secretive and untraceable and individuals will try to rely on the anonymity that digital assets market themselves for. However, in reality, digital transactions leave a trail which, with the right expertise, can be followed. Anyone attempting to hide assets in the blockchain may find that the supposed cloak of invisibility offers little protection when put under forensic examination."
An extract of Michal’s comments was published in The Daily Mail, 25 February 2026.
