Securing your Bitcoin with self-custody is important for any bitcoiner, OG or a newbie. This short guide will walk you through the process, step by step.

Step 1: Choosing a reliable hardware wallet

The initial step in safeguarding your Bitcoin involves selecting a trustworthy hardware wallet. This is a tangible device that allows you to store your Bitcoin in an offline environment, thereby reducing its vulnerability to cyber attacks. Some notable hardware wallets include BitBox, KeepKey, and SafePal. When deciding on a wallet, take into account aspects such as security features, user-friendliness, and customer service. You can contrast various hardware wallets on our Secure your Bitcoin page.

Step 2: Setting up your hardware wallet

Once you’ve chosen a hardware wallet, you’ll need to set it up. This usually involves creating a new wallet on the device, setting a PIN, and writing down a recovery phrase. The recovery phrase is a list of words that can be used to recover your Bitcoin if you lose access to your hardware wallet. It’s crucial to keep this phrase safe and private.

Step 3: Transferring your Bitcoin to the hardware wallet

After setting up your hardware wallet, you’re ready to transfer your Bitcoin. This is done by generating a receiving address on your hardware wallet and then sending the Bitcoin from your current wallet or exchange account to this address. Remember, it’s important to double-check the address before sending to ensure you don’t send your Bitcoin to the wrong place.

Step 4: Safely storing your hardware wallet

Once you’ve transferred your Bitcoin to your hardware wallet, you’ll want to store the device in a safe place. This could be a safe in your home, a safety deposit box at a bank, or any other secure location. Remember, if someone gets access to your hardware wallet, they could potentially steal your Bitcoin.

And that’s it! You’ve now secured your Bitcoin with a hardware wallet and written down your recovery phrase and stored it in a secure location.