3.1. Storage of cryptoassets

Where to start learning about custody

Choose a route based on your question. Control of keys, key protection and shared management are different aspects of custody, not mutually exclusive options.

Understand the basics and responsibilities. Start with control of keys, then compare custody by a third party with managing keys yourself. Basic principles → Custodial storage → Non-custodial storage

Explore self-custody. Understand the role of a key and its backup before moving on to hardware protection. Private key → Seed phrase → Hardware wallets

Explore shared and institutional key management. Compare signature approval, distributed computation and hardware protection: these approaches can be combined. Multisig → MPC → HSM

📄️ 3.1.1. Storage of Cryptoassets: Fundamental Principles

Core principles of cryptoasset storage, ownership models, and the cryptographic foundations of key management

📄️ 3.1.2. Custodial Storage of Cryptoassets

A model of cryptoasset storage involving the transfer of private key control to a third party: advantages and associated risks

📄️ 3.1.3. Non-Custodial Storage of Cryptoassets

A model of cryptoasset storage in which the user independently controls private keys: examples, advantages, and associated risks

📄️ 3.1.4. Hardware Wallets

Architecture, cryptographic principles, device examples, and a comparative analysis of hardware and software wallets

📄️ 3.1.5. Hardware Security Modules (HSM)

Architecture, operating principles, and the use of hardware security modules in cryptographic key management

📄️ 3.1.6. MPC (Multi-Party Computation)

Architecture of distributed private key management, operating principles of MPC, and a comparative analysis with multisignature schemes

📄️ 3.1.7. Multisignature (Multisig)

Architecture of multisignature wallets, operating principles, comparison with MPC, and integration with hardware-based security mechanisms

Where to start learning about custody​