Non-Custodial Wallet
wallet · custody
A wallet in which the user controls the signing keys or authorization needed to move funds.
- Also known as
- self-custody wallet
1.general
A non-custodial wallet gives the user control of the signing keys or contract authority needed for ordinary spending. A provider should not be able to transfer the funds merely by changing an account balance.
2.dependencies
Non-custodial does not mean independent of all services. A wallet can rely on hosted nodes, frontends, swap contracts, admin-controlled tokens, app stores, or hardware vendors. Those dependencies can block access or misrepresent data without necessarily controlling the base signing key.
3.risk
Users assume backup, malware, phishing, transaction-review, inheritance, and software-compatibility risk. Self-custody reduces custodian risk only when the recovery process remains usable and private.
Use the beginner wallet guide to compare recovery and network support, then review wallet security and backups.
Related terms
Custodial Wallet
→A wallet where a third party controls the private keys on your behalf.
wallet · security
Self-Custody
→Holding and securing your own private keys instead of relying on an exchange, custodian, or broker.
wallet · security
Private Key
→A secret number used to sign transactions and prove permission to spend.
cryptography · security · wallet
Seed Phrase
→A sequence of backup words that a compatible wallet can use to recover its keys.
wallet · security
Wallet
→An app or device that helps you receive cryptocurrency, check your balance, and authorize payments.
wallet · security
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