01
Security · KEYSSelf-custody
Direct control of the private keys required to authorize spending, with no custodian in the path.
SECSOURCE-LED TOPIC GUIDE
Bitcoin security and self-custody
Learn private keys, seed backups, hardware wallets, multisig, threat models, privacy trade-offs and practical verification without relying on slogans.
51connected coordinates
40source records
01What this field explains
Bitcoin ownership is control of signing keys, but secure custody is an operational system rather than a single device. This path starts with keys and wallet recovery, then adds hardware isolation, multisig, inheritance and privacy. Every design should be evaluated against a stated threat model and tested before meaningful funds depend on it.
02Start with these coordinates
A curated path from first principles to the details that matter.
02
Security · KEYPrivate Key
A secret number used to authorize spending under Bitcoin’s cryptographic rules.
03
Security · SEEDRecovery seed
Words that encode wallet entropy and can regenerate a deterministic set of keys.
04
Security · HWHardware wallet
A dedicated signing device designed to isolate private keys from a general-purpose computer.
05
Security · M-of-NMultisignature
A spending policy that requires a defined threshold of several keys.
06
Security · WATCHWatch-only wallet
A wallet that monitors addresses and balances without holding the keys needed to spend.
03Explore the connected entries
Definitions, mechanisms, people and source records connected to this field.
KEYPrivate KeySecurity · 2 §WALWalletSecurity · 2 §SEEDRecovery seedSecurity · 1 §BIP39BIP 39Security · 1 §BIP32HD walletSecurity · 1 §M-of-NMultisignatureSecurity · 1 §COLDCold storageSecurity · 1 §HWHardware walletSecurity · 1 §WATCHWatch-only walletSecurity · 1 §UTXO+Coin controlPrivacy · 1 §CHGChange outputPrivacy · 1 §2XDouble-spendSecurity · 1 §XPUBExtended public keySecurity · 1 §DESCOutput descriptorSecurity · 1 §BIP174PSBTSecurity · 1 §CJCoinJoinPrivacy · 1 §PRIVBitcoin privacyPrivacy · 1 §PSEUDOPseudonymityPrivacy · 1 §KYCKnow Your CustomerPrivacy · 1 §KEYSSelf-custodySecurity · 1 §BLINDBlind signaturePrivacy · 1 §MIXMix networkPrivacy · 1 §SYBILSybil attackSecurity · 1 §ECLEclipse attackSecurity · 1 §SELFSelfish miningSecurity · 1 §MINIMiniscriptSecurity · 1 §MuSig2MuSig2Security · 1 §SCHNORRSchnorr signatureSecurity · 1 §SPSilent paymentsPrivacy · 1 §V2P2PBIP324 encrypted transportPrivacy · 1 §P2EPPayJoinPrivacy · 1 §NEUTRINOCompact block filtersPrivacy · 1 §SELECTCoin selectionSecurity · 1 §GAPAddress gap limitSecurity · 1 §PATHDerivation pathSecurity · 1 §BIP85BIP85 deterministic entropySecurity · 1 §SLIP39SLIP-39Security · 1 §SSSShamir's Secret SharingSecurity · 1 §SESecure elementSecurity · 1 §AIRGAPAir-gapped walletSecurity · 1 §DICEDice-roll entropySecurity · 1 §DURESSDuress walletSecurity · 1 §INHERITBitcoin inheritance planSecurity · 1 §VAULTBitcoin vaultSecurity · 1 §DMSDead man's switchSecurity · 1 §COLLABCollaborative custodySecurity · 1 §CHAINALChain surveillancePrivacy · 1 §CIOHCommon-input ownership heuristicPrivacy · 1 §CLUSTERAddress clusteringPrivacy · 1 §LABELTransaction labelingPrivacy · 1 §CASHUCashuPrivacy · 1 §
600Search all Atlas entries↗