INTRODUCTION
In a world where many bitcoin enthusiasts focus discussion more on improvement of price, dedicating time towards monitoring how BTC climbs and how it declines weekly, monthly, annually etc., whilst it's a very important aspect of the market, it's pertinent to note the neglect on where more attention should actually be focused on: this is about self-custody.
A society that one can't place a stop to financial uncertainty, devaluation of currency, and a country with high restriction on banking, it is very important to note that self custody is not lexury, but a necessary way forward. It's something we should not joke about for no reason.
WHAT IS SELF CUSTODY?
It's all about having a say in the security of your bitcoin, having ownership of it in a way you really have proper and true control over it. Self Custody typifies your control of your private keys.
When you lack control of your bitcoin, they you've failed in the most important thing you should have done. Remember the old saying "not your keys, not your coins". This saying unveils how important self custody is.
Contrasting bitcoin held on an exchange which results to custodial and that held on a wallet where you control your keys which results to self custody is a proper illustration on why it's a necessity.
WHY SELF CUSTODY MATTERS IN NIGERIA
1. It helps you prevent regulatory freezes/seizures from Government:
If you're very observant in this Tinubu's administration, you'd notice how it focuses in evolving regulations on investment. Examples are the Investments and Security Act of 2025 evolving regulations and the CBN regulatory policies that requires licensed and exchanges to follow strict AML/KYC regulations. These policies support freezing, placing restrictions and other enforcement actions against activities they perceive to be unlicensed or highly or slightly suspicious.
2. Devaluation of Naira Makes it a Priority for Long Term Storage:
Knowing how naira falls especially in this economic struggle our country is facing, you'd agree with me that storing your asset in bitcoin is the best way to safe yourself from the predicament that follows. As one who plans long tern saving of assets in bitcoin, keeping it on an exchange means you're exposing it to exchange risk, you have no control over it and it will fight the value when exchange is a mess.
3. Security Gives Sense of Responsibility :
It makes you serious with your digital asset security knowing fully well that if you lose your private key or seed phrase, it becomes difficult to recover. This responsibility makes you vigilant and keep you aware or scammers which you must protect your asset against.
4 Peer to Peer is not a true reflection of custody. When making a peer to peer deal, alot of people leave their bitcoin on exchanges pointing that it controls the keys and users keep trust in others which is not advisable. With Self Custody, you are in charge.
Conclusively, self custody keeps you in charge. Be in charge.
Your points on regulatory pressure, naira devaluation, and personal responsibility are very relevant. Self-custody forces users to become more security-conscious and less dependent on third parties, which aligns perfectly with Bitcoin’s ethos of financial sovereignty.
conclusion, focusing on self-custody shifts the conversation from short-term speculation to long-term financial freedom. Bitcoin rewards those who take responsibility. As you rightly said: be in charge.