The concept of wallet custody is central to the core philosophy of decentralized finance (DeFi) and the broader Web3 movement. In traditional finance and even in centralized cryptocurrency exchanges, your assets are typically held by a third party. This setup means that you’re trusting someone else with your money. However, with the rise of crypto wallets, users have the opportunity to take true ownership of their digital assets.

The Importance of Self-Custody

One of the key principles of the cryptocurrency ecosystem is the idea of “not your keys, not your coins.” When you store your crypto assets on a centralized exchange, you are giving up direct control. The exchange holds the private keys on your behalf, and your funds are only as safe as the exchange’s security measures. Cases like the FTX collapse have shown how vulnerable users can be when relying on centralized custody, as users lost access to their funds due to mismanagement at the exchange level.

By keeping your crypto coins in your own wallet, you retain full control over your private keys, meaning only you have the ability to access, manage, and transfer your funds. This level of autonomy helps you avoid risks associated with centralized exchanges, such as hacks, insolvency, and restrictions on withdrawals.

Do Not Trust Anyone, Trust the Code

In the world of Web3, the motto “do not trust anyone, trust the code” embodies the spirit of decentralization and trustless systems. Unlike traditional finance, where users rely on intermediaries and human-driven institutions, Web3 technology uses blockchain and smart contracts to remove the need for trust in third parties.

This means that, instead of trusting a central authority or a company to manage and secure your assets, you rely on blockchain protocols and cryptographic verification. The code executes automatically based on predefined rules, with no room for human error, fraud, or manipulation. By managing your wallet directly, you trust the underlying blockchain technology and smart contracts to safeguard your assets, rather than trusting individuals or institutions.

GFEX (Gapped Futures Exchange) have adopted this trustless philosophy by allowing users to directly connect their wallets to the platform and trade without involving any centralized entity. With GFEX, every action is managed by smart contracts, which provide the rules, security, and transparency required for a fair trading environment. In this way, users don’t have to rely on a centralized team or authority — they rely solely on code that is publicly auditable and immutable.

Benefits of Keeping Your Coins in Your Own Wallet

Control: Self-custody ensures you are the only person with access to your private keys, which means you have complete control over your digital assets. Privacy: When using personal wallets, there is no need for a third-party entity to know your identity or link your wallet to any centralized account. Security: By removing centralized entities, you eliminate a significant point of failure. Self-custody wallets reduce risks of exchange hacks, liquidity crises, or fraud that can compromise your funds. 4. Wallet Custody and GFEX

GFEX encourage users to connect directly with their Web3 wallets, enabling them to maintain control of their assets at all times. Unlike centralized trading platforms, GFEX never takes custody of user funds, meaning users are protected from the risks associated with centralized exchanges. By using a Web3 wallet to connect to GFEX, you ensure that your investments are always in your possession, and all trades are executed directly from your wallet, making it both secure and user-centric.

Challenges of Self-Custody

While self-custody brings greater control and security, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Users are responsible for the safe storage of their private keys. If a user loses their private keys, they lose access to their funds permanently. Therefore, proper management, such as using secure backup options and best practices for storing recovery phrases, is crucial.