What is Self-Custody in Crypto?

Self-custody means that you hold the private keys to your cryptocurrency, rather than relying on a third party like an exchange. It provides total control over your funds but also places the responsibility of security squarely on your shoulders.

The Risks of Not Securing Your Crypto Properly

1. Hackers and Cyber Threats
   Exchanges and online wallets are susceptible to hacking. Holding your assets in these places can leave them vulnerable.

2. Hardware Failure
   A compromised or lost hardware wallet can render your crypto irretrievable without proper backup.

3. Natural Disasters
   Fire, floods, or other disasters can destroy your physical backups if they are not protected.

Why Bury Your Crypto Wallet or Seed Phrase Underground?

1. Physical Security
   Burying your wallet or seed phrase offers extreme physical protection against theft. Unless someone knows the exact location, it remains hidden from prying eyes and opportunistic thieves.

2. Protection from Natural Disasters
   A well-buried safe or container is protected from fire, floods, or storms. For maximum protection, consider a waterproof, fireproof underground safe specifically designed for long-term storage.

3. No Digital Exposure
   By keeping your seed phrase or wallet in a physical location, you minimize the risk of cyber threats like hacking or phishing attacks.

4. Long-Term Storage
   If you're looking to hold your crypto for the long term (years or even decades), burying it underground ensures that it remains safe from the potential future failures of hardware or digital storage systems.

How to Safely Bury Your Crypto Wallet or Seed Phrase

1. Choose a Secure, Undisclosed Location
   Your chosen spot should be remote and away from obvious danger. Avoid locations where future construction or environmental changes could disturb it.

2. Use a Waterproof, Airtight Safe
   Invest in a high-quality, waterproof, and fireproof safe or underground vault. Ensure that it can withstand moisture, extreme temperatures, and soil conditions.

3. Metal Plates for Seed Phrases
   If you're burying a seed phrase, consider engraving it on a metal plate to prevent deterioration. Paper can degrade over time, but metal plates are much more durable.

4. Mark the Location with Subtlety
   Keep the location hidden but retrievable by using a subtle, unnoticeable marker or by memorizing specific environmental landmarks.

5. Use Redundancy
   Burying a backup in a different location can add an extra layer of security. Just be sure that you can easily retrieve it when needed.

Benefits of Self-Custody with Underground Storage

• Maximized Privacy
  Keeping your assets out of reach of any third party ensures maximum privacy.

• Fire and Water Protection
  Physical safes can protect against natural elements better than most indoor storage solutions.

• Hack-Proof
  Your seed phrase or wallet is completely offline, rendering digital hacks impossible.