Your keys, your coins: celebrating Proof of Keys Day

The importance and responsibility of owning your cryptocurrency shouldn't be underestimated. It's like being your own bank. And holding your keys isn't just a technicality — it's a fundamental aspect of true asset control.

On January 3, 2009, Bitcoin's founder Satoshi Nakamoto mined the very first block on the Bitcoin blockchain. At that moment, Bitcoin officially came into existence. This moment also birthed Proof of Keys Day, which encourages crypto holders to take control of their assets without a third party.

As we explore the importance of the "not your keys, not your coins." concept, consider how holding your keys could redefine how you engage in crypto.

TL;DR

• Own your crypto: Holding your keys means having complete control and responsibility for your digital assets.

• Bitcoin's birth and Proof of Keys Day: Proof of Keys Day has also become a celebration of Bitcoin's birthday.

• Private keys, total control: Your private keys are essential for crypto authority and security.

• Custodial vs. self-custodial wallets: You can choose between third-party managed security or personal control over your crypto assets.

• Empowerment through knowledge: Understanding cryptographic keys and wallets leads to informed, autonomous participation.

Why is Proof of Keys Day important?

On January 3, 2009, UK newspaper The Times ran with the front-page headline "Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks". As readers digested the news, something incredible was happening behind the scenes.

Around the same time, Satoshi Nakamoto mined the "genesis block," the first block on Bitcoin's blockchain network. Satoshi embedded the text of the Times' headline to the block: "The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on the brink of the second bailout for banks."

Bitcoin was born, opening the door to personal control of digital assets without the dependency on traditional banking. This revolutionary technology charted a path to a world where financial freedom could be accessible.

Proof of Keys Day, celebrated on the anniversary of Bitcoin's genesis block being mined, reinforces this vision. It emphasizes the importance of transferring cryptocurrencies from exchanges or third-party custodians to personal wallets where users have private keys.

This practice underscores a fundamental principle: "not your keys, not your coins." It illustrates the potential dangers of allowing a third party to hold one's digital assets, such as the risk of being hacked, mismanaged, or having legal issues.

Self-custody ultimately empowers users with complete control over their crypto assets, but it's also a step towards fully embracing the decentralization ethos of blockchain technology. Despite its power, users must take responsibility for the security of their private keys, as losing them may mean never regaining access to their funds.

Proof of Keys Day isn't just a celebration — it's an educational movement. It encourages users to understand and embrace the responsibilities of owning digital assets. Taking this action reinforces the community's dedication to the values of decentralization and autonomy that are the foundation of the crypto space.

What does true ownership of digital assets mean?

True ownership of digital assets is about having direct control. Here, your private keys guard your assets. Think of private keys as being the most robust and individualized password you could use to protect your coins and tokens.

Owning your private keys provides complete control of your assets. This power allows you to administer, move, or access your funds without the authorized consent of any third party.

However, with great power comes great responsibility. Owning private keys means you're also solely responsible for their security. Losing access to your private keys can result in losing your assets forever, as there's no central authority to intervene or recover them. Put simply, it's essential to know and protect your keys.

True ownership in cryptocurrency is more than just having assets in a wallet — it's about having the autonomy to control them. Blockchain and cryptocurrency provide users with an alternative to conventional banking, granting them greater power and responsibility.

How do cryptographic keys secure your crypto?

Cryptographic keys function using a two-key system. Here, private and public keys play crucial roles in maintaining the security and integrity of your digital assets.

Private key: Your private key resembles a highly secure personal password. It's unique to you and should never be shared. The key is used for the following.

• Signing transactions: It confirms you're the owner initiating a transaction.

• Access control: Provides the only access to your assets. If lost, there's no way to retrieve your assets.

Public key: Derived from your private key, the public key serves a different purpose.

• Receiving transactions: It's used to generate public addresses where others can send you crypto.

• Verification: The public key verifies that you're the owner of the address receiving the assets, without revealing your private key.

For every transaction you carry out, this pairing of keys is employed. The private key authorizes the transaction, making sure it's from you. The public key is then used by the network to validate that signature.

This dual-key system forms a robust security framework, preventing unauthorized access to your crypto. The elegance of this system lies in its simplicity. While the private key remains secure with you, the public key can be freely distributed without compromising security.

What are the differences between custodial and self-custodial wallets?

Understanding the differences between custodial and self-custodial wallets, especially if you're new to crypto, is important.

Custodial wallets

• Managed by third parties: These wallets are managed by cryptocurrency exchanges or other services.

• Ease of use: They often provide user-friendly interfaces and quick access to trading.

• Security responsibility: The service provider is responsible for safeguarding your assets.

• Access control: The provider holds the private keys, which means they control your assets.

Self-custodial wallets

• User-controlled: You have complete control over these wallets.

• Private key ownership: You hold and manage the private keys.

• Higher responsibility: The security of your assets is entirely in your hands.

• Autonomy and independence: Offers full autonomy in managing and transferring your assets.

Custodial wallets are similar to traditional banking services because the institution holds your funds, providing convenience and often extra services. However, this means you don't have full ownership over your digital assets.

Self-custodial wallets give users total control over their funds and possessions. It calls for extra vigilance on the user's part, but also gives them complete autonomy. People who use self-custodial wallets experience the full potential of decentralized finance, as if they were their own bankers.

Understanding these differences helps you make informed choices about how to store and manage your digital assets.

The final word

Are you team custodial or non-custodial? January 3 is a day of empowerment in the crypto space, marking Bitcoin's origin and celebrating Proof of Keys Day.

Cryptographic keys are essential in protecting your cryptocurrency, with private and public keys making sure transactions are secure. The difference between custodial services and self-custodial wallets demonstrates the freedom and accountability in managing digital assets.

Have you thought about how the freedom and accountability of the crypto world could influence the direction of your experience? Exploring this could be not only educational, but also empowering.