Why we started

Crypto Custody Guide began in 2021, after our founders—two security engineers and a financial journalist—watched a friend lose access to a hardware wallet because the recovery phrase was stored in a password manager that got compromised. The loss was not caused by a sophisticated hack; it was caused by a gap in practical knowledge. We realized that most custody advice online either oversimplifies ("just use a hardware wallet") or assumes institutional resources. There was no independent, vendor-neutral resource that explained trade-offs for everyday holders and small teams.

We exist to fill that gap. We are not a wallet provider, exchange, or custodian. We do not sell custody products. Our work is funded by reader subscriptions and occasional research grants from foundations that support open financial infrastructure; we disclose every funder on our funding page.

What we do

We research and explain how crypto custody actually works—keys, wallets, multisig, MPC, and custody models—with a focus on practical constraints. Our team tests wallets and custody setups in a controlled lab, interviews practitioners, and publishes detailed guides, comparison tables, and failure analyses. We do not accept payment for reviews or rankings.

Our editorial process requires every technical claim to be verified by at least two team members, and we update articles when software or standards change. We publish corrections prominently.

Our team

Our team combines hands-on security engineering and independent journalism. Priya Raman, our lead security researcher, spent six years auditing key management systems for payment processors. Marcus Webb, editor, previously covered personal finance at a national outlet and has written about crypto since 2017. We also work with a network of external reviewers, including a cryptography consultant and a compliance lawyer, who review articles for accuracy and regulatory context. None of our reviewers hold equity in wallet vendors.

How we stay independent

We do not run ads, accept affiliate commissions, or take payment for coverage. Our revenue comes from subscriptions and grants, and we keep our operating budget public. When we evaluate products, we buy them at retail price. If a vendor provides a loaner unit for testing, we disclose it and return it after the review period.

What we value

• Clarity over hype. We avoid jargon and explain concepts in plain language, with examples.
• Practical trade-offs. Every custody model has risks; we list them.
• Transparency. Our testing methods, funding, and corrections are public.
• Reader questions. We prioritize topics based on reader emails and survey responses.

If you have a question or a correction, write to us at editor@cryptocustodyguide.com. We read every message.