The inheritance of digital investment products in Latvia: legal frameworks and practical challenges

Abstract

As the use of blockchain-based digital assets are becoming more common, questions about what happens to them after owners’ death are gaining attention. This thesis examines how the Latvian legal and regulatory framework addresses the inherence of digital investment products (DIPs). Although Latvian Civil Law allows for DIPs to be categorized as property, it is still unclear whether these assets can be effectively inherited in practice. The thesis examines national and EU-level laws, soft law initiatives, and the roles of notaries and service providers. It also explores how DIPs are discovered, accessed, and transferred in practice. The findings suggest that although Latvian law does not restrict DIP inheritance, it also lacks a coherent framework to ensure it can happen effectively. The thesis concludes that inheritance rights cannot be fully enforced without aligned mechanisms that address access, identification, and institutional cooperation.