Lesson 4 – Principle 2: Self-Custody
Your keys, your freedom.
If you don’t control your keys, you don’t control your assets.
DeFi Punk means protocols are built so users always hold custody by default.
Handing assets to a third party might feel convenient but it exposes you to hacks, shutdowns, or theft. Self-custody is the line between true sovereignty and just another middleman.
Examples:
- ✅ Safe wallet → secure self-custody.
- ❌ Centralized lending platforms → deposit = no control.
Reflection Prompt:
Who actually controls your assets in the apps you use?
Scoring:
- 0 = no self-custody
- 1 = mixed custody
- 2 = full self-custody