Step-by-step self-custody

Build a security setup you understand.

Practical guides for protecting your bitcoin, devices, backups, privacy, and the people who may need to recover your savings.

What to look for in a hardware wallet and why we recommend COLDCARD for Bitcoin self-custody.

Step-by-step setup for COLDCARD Q and Mk5. PIN, seed generation, device verification, and pairing with a wallet app.

Basic device, account, email, and phishing defenses for people holding bitcoin in self-custody.

How to back up your Bitcoin seed phrase on metal, encrypted MicroSD, and optionally split with SeedXOR.

What to save so you can recover a Bitcoin wallet without guessing: seed words, passphrases, XFP, descriptors, and instructions.

How Bitcoin passphrases work, how to pick a good one, XFP verification, and duress wallets.

How to send Bitcoin with an air-gapped COLDCARD using PSBTs. Transaction signing, QR codes, MicroSD, and address verification.

When and how to set up a 2-of-3 multisig wallet with COLDCARD and Sparrow. Wallet descriptors, key ceremonies, and recovery.

How to make sure your family can access your Bitcoin if something happens to you. Practical steps for inheritance without giving up control.

Bitcoin privacy basics. Address reuse, running your own node, Tor, labeling, and why privacy is security.

A practical Bitcoin privacy checklist for reducing address reuse, KYC exposure, metadata leaks, and physical targeting risk.

Protect yourself and your Bitcoin from physical threats. Low profile, duress planning, geographic distribution, and device security.