Definition ∞ Decentralized asset custody refers to holding digital assets without relying on a central intermediary. This method empowers individuals with direct control over their cryptocurrency private keys, typically through self-custodial wallets or smart contract-based solutions. It eliminates the risks associated with third-party custodians, such as hacks, insolvency, or censorship, by distributing control and responsibility across network participants. Users maintain sovereign ownership, requiring personal diligence in key management and security practices.
Context ∞ The discussion surrounding decentralized asset custody frequently addresses the balance between user autonomy and the technical complexity involved in securing one’s own assets. Regulatory bodies are grappling with how to apply existing financial regulations to self-custodial models, particularly concerning anti-money laundering and know-your-customer requirements. A critical future development involves the maturation of user-friendly, secure multi-signature schemes and hardware wallets, which could significantly broaden adoption while maintaining high security standards.
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