ICP custody options

Do you want maximum control of your keys?

No? Then use third party custody solutions

Third party custody solutions allow you to interact your ICP and trade-off consumer experience for control. The trade-off is simple: if you do not feel comfortable managing your own keys and are willing to have a third party have access to your keys for the sake of being hand-held through the process, then 3rd party solutions can be the right choice for you.

Here are some examples:

• AirGap
• Coinbase
• Plug wallet
• Stoic wallet
• Sygnum

Yes, then use self-custody

• ICP custody with NNS frontend dapp
• ICP custody with Ledger Nano
• ICP Custody with Quill (Minimalistic ledger and governance toolkit for cold wallets) Networked computer
• ICP custody with seed phrase and air-gapped machine

Self-custody: Maximum ease option

If you choose self-custody, the simplest option to consider is: ICP Custody with NNS frontend dapp.

It consists of using an Internet Identity with the NNS frontend dapp.

Traits

• It's the most convenient, entirely web-based, with no need to download or install anything.
• The NNS frontend dapp has all the functionality you need
• This is a very common method
• Ideal for people who want to want the easiest path to control their ICP
• This custody solution has staking and voting built-in if you want to participate in governance

Self-custody: Maximum control option

If you choose self-custody, the options which maximizes control are:

• ICP custody with seed phrase and air-gapped machine
• ICP custody with Ledger Nano

Traits

• This option requires more technical understanding
• Users have the most control over their ICP.
• This is the safest option from a software point of view because the user relies on less software surface area, but it is the riskiest from a human point of view in that it puts the risk of the user's seed phrase and private key custody on them.
• Ideal for people who want as much control over their ICP as possible
• This custody solution has staking built-in if you want to stake as well

See Also

• Tutorials for acquiring, managing, and staking ICP