The Future of Inheritance

The Riffle

The upcoming generational wealth transfer in the Middle East presents both opportunities and challenges. Modernising inheritance processes through digital solutions is essential, but regulatory clarity and ecosystem collaboration remain critical hurdles.

DIFC Future of Inheritance Report 2025

The report focuses on:

• Generational Wealth Transfer – Over $1 trillion will be transferred in the Middle East by 2030, requiring efficient mechanisms to manage complexity.

• Current System Gaps – Delays, high costs, family disputes, and unclaimed assets are major concerns, with 50% of transfers experiencing delays.

• Digital Solutions – AI, smart contracts, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), and tokenization can enhance transparency, security, and efficiency.

• Regulatory and Adoption Challenges – Widespread adoption of digital inheritance solutions requires clear regulations and industry-wide collaboration.

Key Takeaways

• The traditional inheritance system is ill-equipped for the scale and complexity of wealth transfers.

• Tokenization and smart contracts can streamline inheritance processes.

• Regulatory clarity and endorsement are essential for digital solutions to gain trust.

• A collaborative financial ecosystem is necessary for successful digital adoption.

• Addressing reluctance among High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) to discuss inheritance planning is crucial.

Read our detailed briefing document here: