Self-Custody
Also known as: Non-Custodial Wallet Use, Crypto Asset Sovereignty, Key Ownership
The practice of personally holding and managing your own crypto assets without relying on third-party custodians.
Self-custody in crypto means that individuals maintain full control over their digital assets by holding their private keys. This eliminates reliance on centralized platforms like exchanges or custodial wallets. Self-custody is foundational to the 'not your keys, not your coins' ethos and emphasizes decentralization and user sovereignty. It requires secure wallet management, such as using hardware wallets, seed phrase backups, and security best practices. While it offers independence and reduces counterparty risk, it also means users bear full responsibility for asset protection and recovery.