Wybo Wiersma – a 40-year-old Oxford University graduate – has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after scamming over $2 million in crypto from unsuspecting victims. Following his arrest in 2019, the Dutchman was extradited from the Netherlands back to the United Kingdom (UK) in 2021. Following a five-year investigation by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU), he pled guilty on January 26 to the Oxford Crown Court. A Five-Year Investigation As reported by…
What are Custodial Wallets?
A crypto custodial wallet is a type of digital wallet that is used to store and manage cryptocurrencies. It is called a “custodial” wallet because the wallet provider has custody of the private keys associated with the wallet. This means that the user cannot control their cryptocurrency and must trust the wallet provider to manage their assets securely.
To use a custodial wallet, the user typically creates an account with the wallet provider and transfers their cryptocurrency to the wallet. The wallet provider then stores the cryptocurrency on the user’s behalf and provides an interface through which they can view their balance and perform transactions. Users can also set up security measures, such as two-factor authentication, to protect their accounts.
Risks to Using a Custodial Wallet
There are several risks to using a custodial wallet:
- Loss of control: The wallet provider has custody of the private keys, so the user cannot control their cryptocurrency. If the wallet provider experiences a security breach or goes out of business, the user may lose access to their cryptocurrency.
- Security risks: Custodial wallets are a central point of failure, as they hold private keys for many users. If the wallet provider’s security is compromised, the attackers may be able to access the private keys for all of the users’ cryptocurrency.
- Risk of fraud: Some custodial wallet providers may be fraudulent and not securely store the user’s cryptocurrency.
- Risk of censorship: Custodial wallet providers may be subject to government regulation or policies restricting the types of transactions that users can make. This can limit users’ freedom to use their cryptocurrency as they see fit.
Custodial Wallet Types
There are several different categories of custodial wallets:
- Online wallets: These are web-based wallets that can be accessed from any internet-connected device. They are often provided by exchanges and are convenient for quick transactions. Still, they are generally less secure than other custodial wallets because the user’s private keys are stored on the exchange’s servers.
- Desktop and mobile wallets are software wallets installed on a user’s computer or mobile divide and are only accessible from that device. As a result, they are vulnerable to malware and other online threats.
In Summary
Custodial wallets are generally considered less secure than non-custodial wallets, as the user does not have full control over their private keys and must trust the wallet provider to keep their assets safe. However, they can be a convenient and user-friendly option for those new to cryptocurrency who do not want to manage their private keys.