Those who control their keys don’t just control their coins – they also control their peace of mind. You’re prone to sleeping that little bit sounder at night in the knowledge that your crypto is under lock and private key and the only person who can access it is you. Beautiful as this arrangement is when it comes to security, there have empirically been challenges in terms of user experience, to put it mildly.
If you’ve been raised in the crypto trenches, key pairs, mnemonics, HD wallets, and all the rest come as naturally as breathing. But most people aren’t that hardcore. They want to enjoy the upside to controlling their crypto without all the downside – like losing access, sending funds to the wrong address, or falling victim to phishers and other scammers. And now they can.
Thanks to improvements in UX, onboarding, interface design, and security, self-custody is easier than ever. And much of the credit for these improvements must go to the following companies, who’ve made great strides in simplifying access to self-custody. As a result, controlling your own crypto is no longer complex. From tech geeks to total novices, self-custody is finally accessible to everyone.
Ledger
Ledger is the daddy of cold storage, having been offering crypto users secure self-custody since way before Bitcoin was cool and everyone wanted a piece. While Ledger’s core service has remained unchanged since day one – isolating your crypto so that it can’t get stolen from hot wallets – the quality of its product has improved dramatically. The security was always there, but it’s now been wrapped in a sleek UX/UI that’s a joy to use.
The Ledger Live app simplifies portfolio management, enabling users to not only custody their assets, but swap tokens without incurring custodial risk. And thanks to fiat on-ramp integration, cashing in and out is also seamless. For millions of holders beginning their crypto journey – as well as the millions more already with skin in the game – it starts and ends with Ledger.
Rabby Wallet
Rabby is the web3 wallet that DeFi users were crying out for. As the multi-chain landscape has expanded, the need for a wallet that can navigate the leading networks, while simplifying switching between dapps and chains, has become paramount. Rabby is that wallet. Created by DeBank, it auto-switches networks, verifies transactions pre-signature, and incorporates a whole host of useful tools, from gas calculation to hiding spam tokens.
There’s a risk when designing a web wallet of adding clutter in the quest to include as many features as possible. Rabby has avoided that trap. Its non-custodial wallet, available as a web browser extension, is a cinch to use. Lightweight and user-friendly, it’s also highly secure, warning you any time you’re connecting to a dubious app or protocol that has low usage and that should be approached with caution. DeFi just feels safer when you’re using Rabby.
Casa
Casa is the ultimate solution for those who demand ultimate security. While multisignature wallets have long been prized for their security, they’re more technically complex to set up and use. Casa has fixed that, placing multisig in the hands of regular crypto holders, complete with all the security benefits that brings.
Casa is best known for its Bitcoin self-custody service though it also does the same for ETH. It offers tiered services for individuals and institutions who have significant value to hand and have no desire to lose it through a rookie mistake. The Standard plan provides a three-key vault, with Premium rising to five keys, ensuring that no one is getting their hands on your precious crypto.
Unstoppable Wallet
Unstoppable is a great name for a great wallet. Mobile and non-custodial, it secures Bitcoin and other crypto assets but it also does a whole lot more. Privacy features prominently in Unstoppable’s design, allowing users to securely navigate the onchain landscape without broadcasting their data for all the world to see.
There’s native support for DeFi and cross-chain swaps, a sleek UI, and open-source backend. For advanced users, all of the various Bitcoin wallet types are supported by Unstoppable and its import process is neatly designed, making it easy to add your existing wallets. With spam transaction filtering, support for NFTs, and smart fee management, Unstoppable does it all within a slick mobile app.
Mercuryo
Mercuryo is the all-in-one crypto infra provider whose on-ramps are integrated into the DeFi services you use everyday. From Ledger Live to MetaMask, Mercuryo is present and accounted for, allowing users to convert from fiat to crypto and vice-versa instantly. It’s also a popular choice with centralized exchanges, many of which have integrated it to provide users with a convenient cash-out option.
Mercuryo combines fiat on/off ramps with its own crypto wallet and offers seamless user flows for self-custodial environments. Its SDK/API stack, meanwhile, helps businesses integrate self-custody tools without compromising UX. While most of its clients are crypto businesses, looking to tap into its best-in-class infra and onramp services, the ultimate winners are crypto users who retain the ability to convert their digital assets effortlessly while enjoying the benefits of self-custody.
Safe
Safe, formerly known as Gnosis Safe, is the multisig for DeFi project teams. Available on 15 networks, it allows web3 projects to automate tasks such as payroll in a secure manner. This is critical given the millions of dollars that such projects typically manage. But Safe isn’t just for crypto businesses – its Safe Wallet, powered by the same multisig technology is also cherished by DeFi users.
More than $100B is secured by Safe multisignature contracts, giving users total peace of mind. The beauty of Safe’s multisig implementation is that it adds an additional layer of security beyond a seed phrase. This ensures that even if determined hackers do manage to access this, they’re unable to unilaterally drain your wallet of funds. Thanks to Safe, crypto is a lot safer.
Sparrow Wallet
Sparrow is a Bitcoin desktop wallet that’s been optimized for security – but not at the expense of usability. Designed for power users who crave privacy, coin control, and hardware wallet compatibility, Sparrow boasts every conceivable Bitcoin-based feature you could wish for. While most wallets abstract much of the transaction data for practical purposes, Sparrow displays it all – because this is what many experienced Bitcoin users desire.
Due to Bitcoin’s UTXO-based design, each transaction typically involves multiple UTXOs that are combined to create the total amount. Sparrow gets granular with these, allowing Bitcoiners to be selective about UTXO usage to optimize for privacy and minimize fees. If you know Bitcoin, you already know what Sparrow is capable of.
Keystone
Keystone is an ultra-secure hardware wallet on account of its airgapped design. Because the device can’t be physically connected to the internet, there’s no way for phishers to extract funds, such as by tricking the user into installing malware. To circumvent the lack of internet connectivity, Keystone uses QR-based signing, allowing users to verify transactions without plugging in to WiFi.
One of the neat things about Keystone is that it’s compatible with web wallets such as MetaMask. So you can keep your assets in your favorite web wallet for trading purposes, but use Keystone for signing. Good luck bypassing that level of security, hackers. The hardware devices themselves are attractively designed with a neat touchscreen, while open source firmware gives users confidence in the device’s integrity.
Nunchuk
Nunchuk is in the Bitcoin self-custody business, with a particular focus on inheritance planning. After all, it’s not just enough to hold onto your crypto through thick and thin: there needs to be a way to pass it on to the next generation when the time comes. Nunchuck enables user-friendly coordination of multisig wallets complete with automation options for inheritance and collaborative custody.
Because multisig in its native form isn’t easy to work with, Nunchuck provides the UX to simplify this. Its onboarding wizard guides users through the process, allowing them to get set up quickly and easily. Nunchuk allows Bitcoiners to pass on their wealth – without sacrificing their self-custody in the here and now.
Stack Wallet
For crypto users who care about their privacy, Stack is the wallet to choose. The mobile wallet offers multicoin support with no tracking. It’s fully open-source, has an integrated DEX, and allows you to keep your crypto secure along with your personal data. Available for Android and iOS as well as desktop, Stack has a lot of useful features built in such as custom backup, making it easier to transfer wallets between devices.
If you’re a crypto user who feels at home roaming the omnichain landscape, Stack is a good wallet to choose. It’s neatly designed and is good for juggling multiple wallets – just Favorite the ones you use the most for quick access. Customer support is good and the wallet’s pro-privacy approach aligns neatly with the ethos of hardcore crypto holders.
Self-Custody Is Better Than Ever
Crypto self-custody has evolved from a complex, developer-centric process into one that feels intuitive, even if you’ve been in the industry for weeks rather than years. But as the number of crypto networks and assets has expanded, so has the range of self-custody options available. From free wallets to paid multisig services, there’s now a lot of ways to lock up your crypto.
Naturally, the service you choose will depend upon your technical knowledge and the value of the digital assets you own. Think about which cryptos you wish to lock away for the long-term, and consider how frequently you’re likely to require access to them, be it for trading or cashing out purposes. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be ready to browse the range of self-custody tools featured here and pick the one that’s right for you.
