Summary
When a crypto user takes sole possession of their wallet’s private keys instead of trusting them to an exchange, they are self-custodying their assets. Security conscious crypto users typically prefer self-custodying because they can maintain total control over their funds, requiring no third-party involvement. Self-custodying requires a bit of technical know-how and trust in yourself, as you’ll be your own banker as well as head of security. The process of self-custodying your crypto assets involves finding a reliable self-custody wallet provider then transfering your funds from a centralized exchange to this new wallet. The most important aspect of self-custody is security! It is up to you to secure your recovery phrases and other sensitive crypto information to keep your funds safe.
Historically, crypto users have been divided into distinct camps: those who wish to secure their own funds by using a self-custody wallet (also known as a self-custodial wallet), and those who prefer to entrust security to a third-party wallet or exchange. If recent events have you rethinking your custody strategy, or even thinking about it for the first time, read on for a primer on how to make the move to self-custodying your funds.
In this article
- What is a self-custody wallet and why should I care?
- Benefits of self-custody wallets
- What can I do with a self-custody wallet?
- How to transfer crypto from an exchange to a self-custody wallet
What is a self-custody wallet?
Crypto wallets may share a name with the leather billfold you keep in your back pocket, but the similarities end there. Unlike analog wallets, crypto wallets don’t actually contain your crypto funds. Rather, crypto wallets secure your private keys, which are required to access your funds on the blockchain.
Crypto exchanges such as Coinbase or Kraken provide custodial wallets, meaning they’re responsible for safeguarding your keys. Anytime you initiate a crypto transaction on an exchange, they digitally “sign” it using your private key from within the wallet. It all happens seemingly automatically, with little to no user intervention required. Many users prefer custodial wallets because they would rather not bother with security themselves. However to others, trusting control of their private keys to a third-party is completely unthinkable.
For those more security-minded users, only a self-custody crypto wallet will do. When self-custodying your crypto assets, no third-party will have access to your wallet’s private keys. Not even the wallet provider. Self-custodying requires a greater degree of technical know-how than exchange-provided custodial wallets, so there may be a slight learning curve involved. Self-custody wallets allow users to serve as their own banker, but the trade-off is that wallet security also becomes their sole responsibility. A lost account password at a crypto exchange can likely be recovered. However if you’re self-custodying and misplace your recovery phrase, your funds could be lost forever. That said, there are safeguards in place to help avoid those circ*mstances.
The benefits of self-custody: total control of your crypto
When referring to the age-old debate of custodial vs. non-custodial wallets, a common refrain among crypto enthusiasts is “not your keys, not your crypto”. Whoever controls a wallet’s private keys, whether it’s an individual or a corporation, has unfettered access to its corresponding assets. Many users believe this is core benefit of self-custody wallets: this means unless you’re self-custodying your private keys, you don’t actually “own” your crypto.
The FTX collapse is a stark illustration of the potential security threat custodial crypto wallets can carry, and a reminder of the very real possibility of losing funds entrusted to a third-party. Some industry observers have even compared the FTX collapse to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, which kicked off the 2008 financial crisis.
Custodial wallets have long been tempting targets for hackers and other cybercriminals. Over the years these bad actors have made off with billions of dollars worth of ill-gotten crypto funds using various exploits. FTX is far from the first custodial wallet provider to allegedly lose or misuse user funds. However, as one of the largest and most trusted exchanges, the news of its fall from grace has rattled the crypto industry, and propelled self-custody to a front-of-mind topic.
What can I do with a self-custody wallet?
BitPay offers an industry leading self-custody crypto wallet solution that gives users total control over their funds. You can buy, swap, store, send, receive and make crypto payments how you want, when you want. Your private keys will never leave your possession, so you’ll never have to question who has your keys and what they’re doing with them.
Store securely
Never trust another website to safeguard your crypto funds. Instead, secure your crypto with a self-custody wallet. The BitPay Wallet provides easy backups and industry-leading security, allowing you to easily manage multiple wallets, platforms or copayers right from the app. Plus, as a multichain wallet, you can use it as a self-custody bitcoin wallet and manage tokens across multiple blockchains all in one place.
Buy
Find competitive prices on the most popular cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Bitcoin Cash and more. BitPay lets you buy crypto with a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay providing near-instant delivery with no excessive markups or fees.
Swap
Want to exchange one coin for another? Easily and securely swap your crypto from within the BitPay app. Simply tap the “Swap” button from the homescreen, select the assets you wish to swap and the amounts, and receive competitive quotes in seconds. Read our full guide on swapping crypto with BitPay.
Transfer/Send/Receive
Move, send or receive secure crypto to any wallet around the world. Even seamlessly transfer your crypto across different wallets and devices by exporting/importing your wallet keys.
Pay with Crypto
Self-custody wallets make the process of paying with crypto simple and secure with multiple ways to spend your crypto. Send crypto directly to another user’s wallet. Buy gift cards with crypto. Load a crypto debit card. Or, shop with merchants that accept crypto payments. BitPay’s crypto payment stats show that self-custody wallets like the BitPay Wallet have higher payment success rates than exchange wallets like Kraken or Coinbase, resulting in a smoother experience when you transact with crypto.
Take control of your crypto
Get the BitPay Self-Custody Wallet
I currently use a custodial service – how do I self-custody my crypto?
Transferring your crypto from your custodial account to a new self-custody wallet is a relatively easy process. Most self-custody wallets are free and can be set up in minutes. Here’s how to self-custody your crypto.
Step 1: Create a self-custody wallet
Download BitPay Wallet for free. It's available on mobile, tablet and desktop devices across Android, iOS, Mac, Windows and Linux operating systems. Once you have the app, create a key along with a wallet for each cryptocurrency you wish to store.
🛑
Important - BitPay doesn’t store your recovery phrase or keys! Backup your recovery phrase! Immediately after you create your key you will have the option to backup your recovery phrase. This is a pivotal step in self-custody. BitPay doesn’t store your recovery phrase and can’t help restore lost or stolen funds. It is up to you to secure this information. Store your recovery phrases in a safe place, preferably in an offline/non-digital location. See our tips on safeguarding your recovery phrase.
Step 2: Record your new wallet address (or addresses)
You’ll need to know your wallet’s address. In the BitPay Wallet app, you can find this by selecting “My Key” on the home screen, tapping into your wallet, tapping the three dots in the upper right corner, and finally selecting “Share Address”. From here you can write down your wallet address or copy it to your clipboard for the next steps.
Step 3: Initiate the transfer from your custodial account
In most cases, transferring assets from a custodial service like Coinbase to a self-custody wallet like BitPay is as simple as sending crypto from one address to another. With your new self-custody wallet addresses on hand, log into your custodial account. Select the Send option in your custodial account. Select the asset you’d like to transfer. Enter in your new self-custody address (the one we just created a few steps ago). Now enter the amount of cryptocurrency you’d like to transfer. Review the transaction details and confirm to send the payment.
These steps may vary depending on your custodial service. Review the steps for popular custodial services below.
- Transfer instructions for Coinbase custody wallets
- Transfer instructions for Kraken custody wallets
- Transfer instructions for Gemini custody wallets
➡️
Self-Custody Tip: It is always a good idea to send a small amount of crypto before transferring large amounts to a new wallet to make sure you have the correct address. Remember: once a transaction is made, it can’t be reversed
Step 4: Enjoy the new control of a self-custody wallet
Once the transaction is complete, you’ll see your transferred crypto in the “My Key” section of the BitPay app. While self-custody means that there is no third party in between you and your crypto, you should still exercise extreme caution to keep your crypto safe, especially with regards to your wallet’s recovery phrase. In order to protect your funds from being accessible to hackers and thieves, store your recovery phrase in a safe and secure place.
🔒
Use multiple self-custody wallets: You may keep several accounts at different banks around town for the sake of convenience or financial reasons. Similarly, it isn't a bad idea use multiple self-custody wallets. This can help reduce the risk of losing all of your funds in the case of a lost key or hack. Learn more about the different types of wallets.
Do I still need to buy crypto on an exchange with a self-custody wallet?
Most self-custody services facilitate crypto transactions from within the wallet. BitPay offers competitive rates on the top cryptocurrencies with flexible payment methods. All purchased crypto is delivered quickly and stored in your new self-custody wallet.
Blockchain Education
- What is a Blockchain Fork and Why Do They Matter? Plus, Hard Forks vs Soft Forks Explained
- What is Bitcoin Dominance and How Does It Impact the Crypto Market?
- First 10 Things to Do After You Get the BitPay Wallet App
Subscribe to BitPay Blog
Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox
SubscribeAs a blockchain and cryptocurrency expert with extensive knowledge and experience in the field, I can provide valuable insights into the concepts discussed in the provided article dated 29 November 2022 on Blockchain Education.
Introduction to Self-Custody: Self-custody in the context of cryptocurrency refers to the practice where a user takes sole possession of their wallet's private keys instead of relying on a third-party such as an exchange to safeguard them. This approach is favored by security-conscious crypto users who want to maintain complete control over their funds, eliminating the need for any intermediary. Self-custody involves using a self-custody wallet, and the process includes finding a reliable provider and transferring funds from a centralized exchange to this wallet.
Components of Self-Custody:
-
Private Keys: Unlike traditional wallets, crypto wallets don't store the actual funds but secure the private keys necessary to access the funds on the blockchain. Private keys are crucial in the self-custody approach, as they are directly controlled by the user.
-
Custodial vs. Non-Custodial Wallets: The article discusses the historical division among crypto users between those who prefer custodial wallets offered by exchanges (where the exchange manages private keys) and those who opt for self-custody wallets. The key distinction lies in who has control over the private keys and, consequently, the assets.
-
Security in Self-Custody: Emphasis is placed on the importance of security in self-custody. Users need to secure recovery phrases and other sensitive crypto information to ensure the safety of their funds. Losing access to the recovery phrase in self-custody can lead to irreversible loss of funds.
Benefits of Self-Custody: The article highlights the benefits of self-custody, with a focus on total control of one's crypto assets. The famous saying in the crypto community, "not your keys, not your crypto," emphasizes the idea that true ownership comes from controlling the private keys.
FTX Collapse and Security Risks: The article references the FTX collapse as a cautionary tale about the potential security threats associated with custodial wallets provided by exchanges. It draws parallels to historical financial crises, emphasizing the risks of trusting third parties with private keys.
Functionality of Self-Custody Wallets: The article introduces BitPay as an industry-leading self-custody crypto wallet solution, emphasizing the features it offers, such as buying, swapping, storing, sending, receiving, and making crypto payments. It underlines the importance of maintaining control over private keys.
How to Transfer to a Self-Custody Wallet: A step-by-step guide is provided on how to transition from a custodial service to a self-custody wallet using BitPay. The process involves creating a self-custody wallet, recording the wallet address, initiating the transfer from the custodial account, and ensuring security measures like backing up the recovery phrase.
Conclusion and Security Tips: The article concludes by reminding users to exercise caution even in self-custody and store recovery phrases securely. It suggests using multiple self-custody wallets to reduce risk and emphasizes the irreversible nature of transactions in the crypto space.
In summary, the article serves as a comprehensive guide for crypto users interested in transitioning to self-custody, covering concepts such as private keys, custodial vs. non-custodial wallets, security considerations, the FTX collapse, and practical steps for making the transition using a specific wallet provider.