News ·
Self-custody in the company: keys are responsibility
Bitcoin has no account freeze and no support desk that resets a key. Holding assets yourself buys independence – and brings processes a company has to get right.
The old rule still holds: whoever holds the key controls the funds. For individuals that is a matter of discipline; for companies it is a matter of organisation. One employee with sole access is as much of a risk as a key nobody can find when it is needed.
- Separate roles: who prepares payments, who approves them?
- Enforce the four-eyes principle technically, not just by policy – multi-signature setups do this
- Keep backups away from daily operations and settle emergency access in advance
- Rehearse recovery regularly: a backup that was never tested is a hope, not a backup
Hardware signing devices, documented procedures and rehearsed recovery turn "not your keys, not your coins" into workable company practice. Whether self-custody or a regulated custodian is the right choice depends on amounts, team and risk profile – often a combination makes sense.
We help companies build these processes – sober, documented, with technology we run ourselves. Questions via our contact channels.