Self-custody

Self-custody refers to a person having complete control over their cryptocurrency.

Platforms that give users this control are called “self-custodial” or “non-custodial”: terms used to distinguish them from the more common “custodial” platforms, which manage users' crypto similar to how a bank manages its customers' deposits.

Further reading: Self-custody is in MoonPay’s DNA 

The custodian conundrum

Technically what custodial platforms manage are users’ private keys: the password used to gain access to a crypto wallet, where a user’s crypto is stored. But since access to one’s keys = access to one’s crypto, it’s fair to say that managing keys = managing crypto–they’re one in the same (hence the popular slogan “not your keys, not your coins”).