Not your keys, not your coins. But do you actually know what your keys do? 🔑
Quick breakdown before you move anything off an exchange:
Public key: Receive only. Safe to share. Cannot move your funds.
Private key: Authorizes transactions. Never share it, never screenshot it, never type it into a notes app.
Seed phrase (12 or 24 words): Functionally the same as your private key. Whoever has it controls the wallet.
Practical storage rules:
Write the seed phrase by hand on paper
Keep two copies in two separate physical locations
Treat hardware wallets as the stronger option for anything significant
Use hot wallets only for small amounts you actively trade
Over 70% of crypto theft incidents involve keys or seed phrases stored digitally on internet-connected devices (CipherTrace). The exchange handles keys for you until the moment you self-custody. After that, the responsibility is yours.
Compare exchanges on real security metrics with the CG Exchange Picker. No signup, no credit card...
#Bitcoin #CryptoTrading #CryptoSecurity
Quick breakdown before you move anything off an exchange:
Public key: Receive only. Safe to share. Cannot move your funds.
Private key: Authorizes transactions. Never share it, never screenshot it, never type it into a notes app.
Seed phrase (12 or 24 words): Functionally the same as your private key. Whoever has it controls the wallet.
Practical storage rules:
Write the seed phrase by hand on paper
Keep two copies in two separate physical locations
Treat hardware wallets as the stronger option for anything significant
Use hot wallets only for small amounts you actively trade
Over 70% of crypto theft incidents involve keys or seed phrases stored digitally on internet-connected devices (CipherTrace). The exchange handles keys for you until the moment you self-custody. After that, the responsibility is yours.
Compare exchanges on real security metrics with the CG Exchange Picker. No signup, no credit card...
#Bitcoin #CryptoTrading #CryptoSecurity
