{"id":277,"date":"2024-12-05T17:09:25","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T17:09:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/?page_id=277"},"modified":"2025-02-12T16:34:57","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T16:34:57","slug":"self-custody","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/index.php\/self-custody\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-custody"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"two-ways-to-hold-your-bitcoin\">Two Ways to Hold Your Bitcoin<\/h2>\n<div style=\"height:42px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Custodial-account-Like-your-bank-account-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Custodial-account-Like-your-bank-account-1.png 1000w, https:\/\/bithelm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Custodial-account-Like-your-bank-account-1-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/bithelm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Custodial-account-Like-your-bank-account-1-700x210.png 700w, https:\/\/bithelm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Custodial-account-Like-your-bank-account-1-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><div style=\"height:42px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"selfcustody-vs-custodial-wallets\">Self-Custody vs Custodial Wallets<\/h2>\n<p>A <strong>custodial wallet is when you trust a third party manage your wallet<\/strong> and your keys. This is done to make the process simple and similar to how online banking works today. Custodial wallets are what you get with centralized exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, Krakken, crypto.com and several others.<\/p><p>A non-custodial or self-custody wallet means that <strong>you have the sole custody of the keys<\/strong> used to control your Bitcoin.<\/p><p>So this means <strong>YOU have the responsibility<\/strong><strong> of protecting and backing up those keys<\/strong> in a safe manner. If you lose your keys you lose your Bitcoin forever.<\/p><p>By using your own Bitcoin wallet instead of leaving the bitcoin on an exchange, you can have <strong>full and exclusive control<\/strong> over your money.<\/p><p>This is called <strong>Bitcoin self-custody<\/strong>.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"why-selfcustody-your-bitcoin\">Why Self-Custody your <strong>Bitcoin<\/strong>?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Ultimate Control<\/strong><\/p><p>When you self-custody, you&#8217;re the master of your Bitcoin domain. No intermediaries, no third parties. It&#8217;s all in your hands, literally.<\/p><p><strong>Security Matters <\/strong><\/p><p>Leaving your precious satoshis on exchanges or custodial wallets is like leaving your wallet on a park bench. Self-custody reduces the risk of hacks and gives you peace of mind.<\/p><p><strong>Privacy is King <\/strong><\/p><p>With self-custody, you&#8217;re not just a face in the crowd. It adds an extra layer of privacy, and in the crypto world, privacy is golden.<\/p><p><strong>Decentralization in Action <\/strong><\/p><p>Bitcoin is all about decentralization, right? By self-custodying, you&#8217;re contributing to this ethos. It&#8217;s like being a mini Bitcoin revolutionary!<\/p><p><strong>Long-Term HODL <\/strong><\/p><p>If you&#8217;re in it for the long haul, self-custody aligns perfectly. You won&#8217;t be swayed by market FUD or tempted to panic sell. Your hands will be diamond strong!<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"selfcustody-bitcoin-wallets\">Self-custody <strong>Bitcoin<\/strong> Wallets<\/h2>\n<p>Not all wallets provide the same level of security and usability so do your research and understand the risks.<\/p><p>When choosing a wallet you need to find a balance between control and complexity. <\/p><p>User experience simplicity often comes at the expense of control and privacy.<\/p><div id=\"wp-block-themeisle-blocks-accordion-5b702dce\" class=\"wp-block-themeisle-blocks-accordion exclusive\"><details class=\"wp-block-themeisle-blocks-accordion-item\"><summary class=\"wp-block-themeisle-blocks-accordion-item__title\"><div>Mobile Bitcoin Wallets &#8211; Pros\/Cons &amp; Recommendations<\/div><\/summary><div class=\"wp-block-themeisle-blocks-accordion-item__content\"><p>Pros<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"\">\n<li>Portable and convenient; ideal when making transactions face-to-face<\/li>\n\n<li>Designed to use QR codes to make quick and seamless transactions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p>Cons<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"\">\n<li>App marketplaces can delist\/remove wallet making it difficult to receive future updates<\/li>\n\n<li>Damage or loss of device can potentially lead to loss of funds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p>Recommeneded mobile wallets for ios.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/bither\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Bither<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/bitpay\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">BitPay Wallet<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/edgewallet\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Edge Mobile Wallet<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/green\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Blockstream Green<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/unstoppable\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Unstoppable<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p>Recommended mobile wallets for Android.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/bitcoinwallet\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Bitcoin Wallet<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/bither\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Bither<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/bitpay\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">BitPay Wallet<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/edgewallet\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Edge Mobile Wallet<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/electrum\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Electrum<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/green\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Blockstream Green<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/mycelium\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Mycelium<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/unstoppable\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Unstoppable<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-themeisle-blocks-accordion-item\"><summary class=\"wp-block-themeisle-blocks-accordion-item__title\"><div>Desktop Bitcoin Wallets &#8211; Pros\/Cons &amp; Recommendations<\/div><\/summary><div class=\"wp-block-themeisle-blocks-accordion-item__content\"><p>Pros<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"\">\n<li>Environment enables users to have complete control over funds<\/li>\n\n<li>Some desktop wallets offer hardware wallet support, or can operate as full nodes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p>Cons<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"\">\n<li>Difficult to utilize QR codes when making transactions<\/li>\n\n<li>Susceptible to bitcoin-stealing malware\/spyware\/viruses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p>Recommeneded mobile wallets for Windows Desktop.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"\">\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/armory\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Armory<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/bitcoincore\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Bitcoin Core<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/bitcoinknots\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Bitcoin Knots<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/bither\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Bither<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/bitpay\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">BitPay Wallet<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/electrum\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Electrum<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/green\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Blockstream Green<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/sparrow\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Sparrow Wallet <\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/specterdesktop\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Specter Desktop <\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/wasabi\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Wasabi Wallet <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p>Recommeneded mobile wallets for Mac Desktop.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"\">\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/armory\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Armory<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/bitcoincore\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Bitcoin Core<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/bitcoinknots\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Bitcoin Knots<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/bither\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Bither<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/bitpay\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">BitPay Wallet<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/electrum\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Electrum<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/green\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Blockstream Green<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/sparrow\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Sparrow Wallet <\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/specterdesktop\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Specter Desktop <\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/wasabi\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Wasabi Wallet <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p>Recommeneded mobile wallets for Linux Desktop.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"\">\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/armory\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Armory<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/bitcoincore\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Bitcoin Core<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/bitcoinknots\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Bitcoin Knots<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/bither\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Bither<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/bitpay\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">BitPay Wallet<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/electrum\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Electrum<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/mobile\/android\/green\/?step=5&amp;platform=android\">Blockstream Green<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/sparrow\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Sparrow Wallet <\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/specterdesktop\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Specter Desktop <\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/desktop\/windows\/wasabi\/?step=5&amp;platform=windows\">Wasabi Wallet <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-themeisle-blocks-accordion-item\"><summary class=\"wp-block-themeisle-blocks-accordion-item__title\"><div>Hardware Bitcoin Wallets &#8211; Pros\/Cons &amp; Recommendations<\/div><\/summary><div class=\"wp-block-themeisle-blocks-accordion-item__content\"><p>Pros<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"\">\n<li>One of the most secure methods to store funds<\/li>\n\n<li>Ideal for storing large amounts of bitcoin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p>Cons<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"\"><li>Difficult to use while mobile; not designed for scanning QR codes<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"\"><li>Loss of device without proper backup can make funds unrecoverable<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<p>Recommended Hardware wallets<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/hardware\/bitbox\/?step=5&amp;platform=hardware\">BitBox02<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/hardware\/coldcard\/?step=5&amp;platform=hardware\">Coldcard<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/hardware\/coldcardq\/?step=5&amp;platform=hardware\">Coldcard Q<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/hardware\/cypherockx1\/?step=5&amp;platform=hardware\">Cypherock X1 <\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/hardware\/jade\/?step=5&amp;platform=hardware\">Blockstream Jade<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/hardware\/keepkey\/?step=5&amp;platform=hardware\">KeepKey<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/hardware\/ledgernanos\/?step=5&amp;platform=hardware\">Ledger Nano S <\/a><\/li>\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/hardware\/passport\/?step=5&amp;platform=hardware\">Passport<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/hardware\/seedsigner\/?step=5&amp;platform=hardware\">Seedsigner<\/a> <\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/hardware\/trezormodelt\/?step=5&amp;platform=hardware\">Trezor Model T<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/en\/wallets\/hardware\/trezorone\/?step=5&amp;platform=hardware\">Trezor One<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Become-your-own-payment-processor-14-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-374\" style=\"width:394px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Become-your-own-payment-processor-14-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/bithelm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Become-your-own-payment-processor-14-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/bithelm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Become-your-own-payment-processor-14-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/bithelm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Become-your-own-payment-processor-14-700x700.png 700w, https:\/\/bithelm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Become-your-own-payment-processor-14-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/bithelm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Become-your-own-payment-processor-14-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/bithelm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Become-your-own-payment-processor-14.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p><\/div><\/details><\/div><p>Quick Demo of setting up a desktop wallet using Sparrow. <\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video controls src=\"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Untitled-design-4.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Two Ways to Hold Your Bitcoin Self-Custody vs Custodial Wallets A custodial wallet is when you trust a third party manage your wallet and your keys. This is done to make the process simple and similar to how online banking works today. Custodial wallets are what you get with centralized exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, Krakken, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-container-style":"default","site-container-layout":"default","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-transparent-header":"default","disable-article-header":"default","disable-site-header":"default","disable-site-footer":"default","disable-content-area-spacing":"default","_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-277","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/277","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=277"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/277\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":530,"href":"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/277\/revisions\/530"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bithelm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}