Start Here: Your Bitcoin Self-Custody Journey
You're about to learn how to truly own your Bitcoin. Not a balance on someone else's computer—actual, sovereign ownership that no one can take from you.
This is both powerful and serious. Take your time.
What is Self-Custody?
When you buy Bitcoin on an exchange, you don't actually own it yet. You own a promise—an IOU from a company that says they'll give you Bitcoin when you ask.
Self-custody means taking possession of your Bitcoin by controlling your own private keys. It's the difference between:
| Exchange Account | Self-Custody |
|---|---|
| Company holds your Bitcoin | You hold your Bitcoin |
| They can freeze your account | No one can freeze your funds |
| You need their permission to withdraw | You don't need anyone's permission |
| If they get hacked, you lose funds | Your security is in your hands |
| "Not your keys, not your coins" | Your keys, your coins |
Self-custody is how Bitcoin was designed to work. It's also a responsibility—there's no customer support, no password reset, and no reversing mistakes.
→ Deep dive: What is Self-Custody? explains this in full detail.
Before You Continue: A Word of Caution
Self-custody means you are responsible for your Bitcoin. If you:
- Lose your seed phrase → Your Bitcoin is gone forever
- Show your seed phrase to someone → They can steal everything
- Make a backup mistake → You might not be able to recover
There is no "forgot password" button. No customer support. No second chances.
This isn't meant to scare you away—it's meant to make you take this seriously.
The good news: millions of people successfully self-custody their Bitcoin. With the right knowledge and care, you can too.
Who Is This Site For?
Self Custody Labs is for anyone serious about Bitcoin security:
| Your Situation | Where to Start |
|---|---|
| Brand new to Bitcoin | Read What is Bitcoin? first |
| Own Bitcoin on an exchange | Learn what self-custody is, then set up a hardware wallet |
| Already have a hardware wallet | Verify your backup, consider running a node |
| Significant holdings | Explore multisig and advanced setups |
| Privacy-focused / high-risk | Start with Why Privacy Matters |
Assess Your Threat Model
Not everyone needs the same level of security. A good setup depends on:
-
How much Bitcoin are you protecting?
- Small amounts → Software wallet may be fine
- Meaningful savings → Hardware wallet recommended
- Life-changing amounts → Consider multisig
-
What are you protecting against?
- Casual hackers → Hardware wallet handles this
- Targeted attackers → Air-gapped setups, multisig
- State-level threats → Maximum operational security
-
What's your technical comfort?
- Non-technical → Start simple, learn gradually
- Technical → Can jump to advanced setups
→ Deep dive: Assess Your Threat Model - A guide to help you decide what level of security you need.
Choose Your Path
🌱 Path 1: Complete Beginner
You're new to Bitcoin and want to understand it before holding any.
Your journey:
- What is Bitcoin? — The fundamentals
- What is Self-Custody? — Why keys matter
- Why Holding Your Own Bitcoin Matters — Exchange risks
- Private Keys Explained — The foundation
- Seed Phrases — How keys become words
Time investment: 2-3 hours of reading
🔐 Path 2: Ready to Self-Custody
You understand the basics and want to set up your first secure wallet.
Your journey:
- Hardware Wallets Explained — Why they're important
- Hardware Wallet Setup Guide — Step-by-step setup
- Backup Verification — Test before you trust
- Before You Deposit — Critical checklist
Time investment: 2-4 hours (including setup)
🛡️ Path 3: Security Enhancement
You're already self-custodying but want stronger security.
Your journey:
- DIY Seed Generation — Create verifiable randomness
- Passphrase Security — Add another layer
- Run Your Own Node — Don't trust, verify
- UTXO Management — Privacy and fee optimization
Time investment: 1-2 days of projects
🏰 Path 4: Maximum Security
You have significant holdings or elevated threat concerns.
Your journey:
- Why Privacy Matters — Understand the stakes
- Multisig Setup — Eliminate single points of failure
- Air-Gapped Computing — Offline signing
- CoinJoin — Break transaction history links
Time investment: Multiple days/weeks
The Self-Custody Mindset
Before you dive into guides, internalize these principles:
1. Verify, Don't Trust
Don't take anyone's word for it—including this site. Verify addresses on your hardware wallet screen. Run your own node. Check multiple sources.
2. Move Slowly
There's no rush. A mistake with Bitcoin can be permanent. Read guides twice. Test with small amounts. Ask questions before acting.
3. Assume Compromise
Treat every device as potentially compromised. Air-gap when possible. Verify firmware. Don't trust, verify.
4. Separate Concerns
Don't keep all your eggs in one basket. Geographic distribution. Different wallet types for different purposes. Backup redundancy.
5. Practice Recovery
A backup you've never tested isn't a backup. Verify your seed restores correctly before depositing significant funds.
Ready to Begin?
Questions?
Self-custody can feel overwhelming at first. That's normal. Take it one step at a time.
If something in our guides is unclear, you can:
- Check the Glossary for term definitions
- Review the FAQ for common questions
- Reach out via Nostr or X
Your questions help us improve these guides for everyone.