All terms
All termsAddressBlockBlock timeBlockchainConfirmationGasGweiHashMempoolNodePrivate keyPublic keySeed phraseTransactionWalletAll time high (ATH)Bear marketBull marketCandlestickCapitulationChart patternsDollar cost averaging (DCA)Funding rateLeverageLimit orderLiquidationLiquidityMarket capMarket orderOrder bookPosition sizingRisk managementSlippageSpreadSupport and resistanceTrendVolatilityVolumeWhaleAMMBridgeCEXDAODeFiDepegDEXFlash loanGovernance tokenImpermanent lossLiquidity poolLP tokenOraclePerpetual (perp)RestakingRWAStablecoinTVLWrapped tokenYield farmingAirdropAlphaApe inBagholderDegenDiamond handsFloor priceFOMOFUDGMHODLMaxiMeme coinMoonNFTNGMINormiePaper handsPFPRektShillSnapshotWAGMIAddress poisoningCold storageCustodyDue diligence (DYOR)Dusting attackExit scamFront runningHardware walletHoneypotHot walletMEVMultisigPhishingPump and dumpRug pullSandwich attackSelf custodySIM swapToken approvalTwo factor authenticationWallet drainerWash tradingAccount abstractionAppchainBlock explorerCirculating and total supplyConsensusData availabilityEVMFaucetFinalityForkFully diluted valuation (FDV)Gas warHalvingLayer 1Layer 2Layer 3MainnetMiningName serviceOptimistic rollupProof of stakeProof of workRollupShardingSidechainSlashingSmart contractStakingTestnetToken standardTokenomicsValidatorZero knowledge proofZK rollupArweave and the permawebComposabilityCross chain messagingdAppDecentralized identity (DID)DePINGameFi and play to earnIndexerInteroperabilityIPFSOnchain and offchainSession keysSmart accountSocialFiSoulbound tokenSybil resistanceToken gatingWeb2 vs Web3Web3
Definition
Holding your own keys, with everything that follows from that.
Self custody means you control the private key and nobody can freeze, seize or lose your funds on your behalf. It is the point of the whole technology.
It also means you carry the entire responsibility. No password reset, no support line, no reversal. The tradeoff is real and worth making deliberately.
In practice
A sensible path is to keep trading funds on an exchange and long term holdings in a hardware wallet you control.
Where to go next
CustodyWho actually controls the keys to an asset.Cold storageKeys kept on a device that never connects to the internet.Seed phraseTwelve or twenty four words that regenerate every key in your wallet.Hardware walletA dedicated device that keeps your keys offline and signs transactions internally.
More security terms
Address poisoningCold storageCustodyDue diligence (DYOR)Dusting attackExit scamFront runningHardware walletHoneypotHot walletMEVMultisig
Want this explained out loud?
Some of these land faster in conversation than in writing. Sessions are one to one and you can ask anything, including the things that feel too obvious to ask.