← Glossary
Custody
Who controls the private keys — you (self-custody) or a third party.
Custody is about who holds the private keys to your crypto.
- Self-custody: you hold your own keys, so only you control the funds — and only you are responsible for them.
- Custodial: a third party (like an exchange) holds the keys for you, trading control for convenience.
Understanding which one you're using is one of the most important things in crypto.