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Topic 03

Bitcoin wallets and security

Custody choices, backups and practical threat models for keeping bitcoin safe.

What you will learn

Security is a process, not a product label. These guides move from custody choices to keys, seed backups, signing devices, recovery practice, and common scams. The goal is a setup that matches the amount protected and the threats a real person faces.

By the end, you can

  • Compare custodial and self-custodial risk
  • Build and test a private recovery process
  • Identify common social-engineering attacks

Guides in this topic

Follow the lessons in order, or open the question you need now.

01
Beginner · 12 min

Bitcoin Wallets: A Complete Guide

Choose custody, software and backup methods based on the risks you actually face.

  • Wallets protect keys, not coins stored inside an app.
  • Custody is a tradeoff between counterparty risk and operational responsibility.
Read guide →
02
Beginner · 12 min

Private Keys and Seed Phrases

The secrets that control bitcoin, how backups derive many keys and which mistakes are irreversible.

  • A seed phrase is effectively a master key.
  • Never photograph, email or enter it into an unsolicited page.
Read guide →
03
Intermediate · 12 min

Hardware Wallets: What They Protect

Understand secure signing devices, their limits and a safer setup ceremony.

  • The trusted display is as important as the secure chip.
  • Hardware wallets reduce key exposure but do not eliminate user error.
Read guide →
04
Intermediate · 12 min

Bitcoin Self-Custody

A practical decision framework for taking possession of your bitcoin without turning security into theater.

  • Self-custody is a process, not a product purchase.
  • Complexity is itself a security risk.
Read guide →
05
Beginner · 12 min

Bitcoin Scams and Red Flags

Recognize impersonation, fake returns, address substitution and recovery fraud before money moves.

  • No legitimate support agent needs your seed phrase.
  • Guaranteed returns and withdrawal fees are major red flags.
Read guide →

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01Start Here→02How Bitcoin Works→04Mining & Energy→05Payments & Lightning→06Markets & Investing→07Policy & Tax→08Beyond Bitcoin→