SEC promotes self-custody and DeFi staking

By taking control of one’s own digital assets and private keys, individuals and institutions can ensure the security and flexibility of their assets.

Staking on centralized exchanges and staking in decentralized finance (DeFi) are two distinct methods of participating in blockchain networks and earning rewards. While both involve holding onto and “staking” assets, the way they operate and the benefits they offer are different.

Centralized exchanges offer staking as a way for users to earn rewards by holding onto specific cryptocurrencies within the exchange. The exchange acts as a centralized intermediary, meaning users have to trust the exchange to hold and secure their assets, as well as to distribute rewards accurately.

On the other hand, DeFi staking operates on decentralized networks such as Ethereum, where users hold onto assets directly and use smart contracts to earn rewards. This eliminates the need for a centralized intermediary, giving users greater control and security over their assets. In addition, DeFi staking often offers higher returns compared to centralized exchanges, as rewards are generated through network consensus and governance processes. 

Staking on centralized exchanges is a convenient way for users to earn rewards, but it comes with the trade-off of relying on a centralized entity. 

Centralized exchange solutions offer several benefits for staking, including convenience and ease of use. These solutions typically provide a user-friendly interface, making it easy to stake cryptocurrencies, whereas self-custody options may be more complicated and require advanced blockchain knowledge. Additionally, centralized exchanges generally have higher liquidity and trading volumes than decentralized exchanges, which can make it easier to buy and sell staked assets for centralized exchange users.

When thinking about whether crypto is or is not a security, it’s important to note what Gary Gensler said in his public address after the Kraken staking enforcement action. He said: “Not your keys, not your crypto.” Since you can’t stake on Bitcoin, he was obviously referring to tokens/coins other than Bitcoin. 

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In the crypto world, there is a growing divide concerning security and risk between centralized and self-custody solutions. Some believe that large institutions are better equipped to handle the security of their keys, while others prefer to be the sole owner of their keys to avoid any potential risks associated with losing access to their assets. Lastly, self-custody and decentralized solutions require the user to manage their staking nodes and participate in network governance, which can be time-consuming and require ongoing maintenance compared to centralized solutions.

DeFi staking, on the other hand, offers greater security and control but requires a deeper understanding of the underlying technology and processes. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the individual’s priorities and risk tolerance.

Self-custody has become more and more crucial in the cryptocurrency industry. As the number of individuals and institutions entering the space continues to grow, the issue of who is responsible for the safekeeping of one’s digital assets becomes increasingly important. In the world of crypto, self-custody is the equivalent of saying “your keys, your crypto.” This means that when you self-custody your crypto, you are in control of your keys and your assets at all times. If you opt-in for custodial solutions, you do not have control of your private keys, essentially meaning you don’t technically own your assets. 

One of the many significant benefits of self-custody lies in the security it provides. When you rely on a third party, such as an exchange or custodian, to hold your digital assets, you are entrusting them to secure the assets properly. However, even the most reputable institutions are not immune to hacking and other security breaches. By keeping your assets in your own custody, you are taking a proactive approach in protecting them from potential vulnerabilities.

Self-custody also grants more flexibility in terms of managing and using your assets. When you entrust a third party with your assets, you are subject to their terms and conditions, which may limit your ability to access or use your assets. Self-custody, on the other hand, allows you to take full control of your assets and make decisions about how to use them. It’s also worth mentioning that with self-custody, you have more autonomy and freedom over your assets as you don’t have to abide by the rules and regulations of a third party. This also means that you don’t have to rely on their functionality and availability, and you can access your assets anytime and anywhere.

Transparency and self-custody go hand and hand while managing one’s digital assets. By keeping your assets in your own custody, you have a clear and direct view of all transactions made with your assets. This allows you to keep track of your assets and monitor any suspicious activity. The user has the ability to set their own security protocols and measures, such as multi-factor authentication and cold storage. Additionally, self-custody enables you to have more control over your assets in terms of privacy. With self-custody, you can have more control over your assets and their management; after all, isn’t that what crypto was built for?

To sum up, self-custody is essential for anyone in the cryptocurrency space. By taking control of one’s own digital assets and private keys, individuals and institutions can ensure the security and flexibility of their assets. Self-custody offers autonomy and freedom over their assets while eliminating the numerous risks associated with custodial solutions. Mass adoption is taking place as we speak, and self-custody has become an increasingly important consideration for individuals and institutions. We believe in empowering the user to take full control of their assets with the added benefit of being able to access and use them at any time and from anywhere.

Thought leader in DLT, tech, finance, regulation, entrepreneurship and business. CEO of BankSocial.

This article was published through Cointelegraph Innovation Circle, a vetted organization of senior executives and experts in the blockchain technology industry who are building the future through the power of connections, collaboration and thought leadership. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Cointelegraph.

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