What is self-custody?
Self-custody means you hold the keys to your funds yourself, so no company can freeze, lose or move them on your behalf.
Also called non-custodial.
Custodial and non-custodial
On an exchange, the exchange holds the keys and you hold a claim on it. In a self-custodial wallet, or a non-custodial protocol, only your keys can move your funds, and losing them is the one risk nobody can undo for you.
In Redacted
No server, database or operator can touch your funds in Redacted, because every action needs a zero-knowledge proof that only your keys can create. Withdrawals work today, no vote applies to them, and with the node network an emergency exit opens by itself if no node is active for 7 days.
Stay safe →Related terms
Private ModePrivate Mode is the private side of Redacted. You open it with one wallet signature that creates your private keys in your browser, and after that zero-knowledge proofs authorize every action, so your wallet has nothing more to sign.Emergency exitThe emergency exit opens by itself if no active Redacted node carries an action or sends a heartbeat for 7 days. Anyone can then withdraw from the Reserve, or close positions and move funds out of Spending, by submitting the action from their own wallet.Viewing keyA viewing key lets someone see the history of a private account without being able to spend from it, for example to show an accountant or an auditor exactly what happened.Shielded poolA shielded pool holds funds as private notes inside a smart contract. Deposits and withdrawals are public, but what happens inside is proved with zero-knowledge proofs and does not reveal who owns what.
Updated October 7, 2026. All terms