ICP custody options
Options: Maximum ease or maximum control?
To custody your ICP, you have many options, each with different security and usability trade-offs. Choosing your setup is usually where people get most stuck.
Below is a summary of the range of options available to you depending on your comfort level.
<img src="../assets/images/want-max-control-of-keys.png" alt="drawing"/>
- Fig. 1: staking options*
Examples if you prefer to have third party custody your keys. <img src="../assets/images/3rd-party-solutions.png" alt="drawing"/>
- Fig. 2: third party solutions*
Examples if you prefer to have maximum control of your keys. <img src="../assets/images/self-custody-staking-options-2.png" alt="drawing"/>
- Fig. 3: self-custody staking options*
Maximum Ease Option
Use [Internet Identity](https://medium.com/dfinity/internet-identity-the-end-of-usernames-and-passwords-ff45e4861bf7) with the [NNS frontend dapp](https://nns.ic0.app/)
Traits
- Most convenient. Entirely web-based. No need to download or install anything.
- [NNS frontend dapp](https://nns.ic0.app/) 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
Maximum Control Option
Use your `seed phrase` directly with a few options for self-custody tools.
Traits
- This option requires more technical understanding
- You have most control over your ICP.
- This is the *safest* option from a software point of view because you are relying on less software surface area, but it is the *riskiest* from a human point of view in that it puts the risk of your `seed phrase` and `private key` custody on you.
- Ideal for people who want as much control over their ICP as possible