Cryptocurrency
Understanding crypto custody: What different solutions entail for investors and businesses
As crypto continues to cement itself into our financial system, the question of custody, or how individuals and entities should hold their assets, is becoming increasingly important. This is especially true following the fallout of multiple centralized platforms last year, such as FTX and Gemini, which caused many investors to lose their crypto holdings.
The ethos of crypto is decentralization and ownership. Because third parties are effectively cut out, individuals have direct control over their funds. They don’t need to trust middlemen, such as banks or other centralized financial entities, to properly manage their assets.
However, this complete control is often somewhat sacrificed when the question of storage comes into play. There are two types of digital wallets for storing cryptocurrency, custodial and non-custodial wallets, and each have their unique advantages and disadvantages. The primary difference between the two lies in the control and custody of the private keys, which are the cryptographic codes that enable cryptocurrency transactions. Generally, custodial wallets are less safe but more convenient, while non-custodial wallets are more secure but less convenient.
Selecting between the two is a tricky tradeoff, but it is important that users, investors and institutions have a fundamental understanding of how each option works and the associated risks before deciding how they want to store their assets.
When investors choose to use non-custodial wallets, also referred to as self-custody, they have total control over their private keys and by extension, total control over their assets. Self-custodying is in essence the ethos of crypto — there is no counterparty risk. Full ownership gives investors the flexibility to exchange their assets wherever and however they choose.
By self-custodying, there is no risk of a third-party provider getting hacked, going bankrupt or disappearing, which provides a level of security by removing external dependencies. Furthermore, since there is no third-party involvement, transactions can be more private (depending on the blockchain used).
With custodial wallets, users put their assets in complete control of a middleman or service provider who has complete control over the private keys. This poses many security risks and increases the likelihood of loss of funds. It can also result in access limitations, as exchanges may freeze access to funds due to legal issues, policy violations or technical problems.
Even the most high-profile cryptocurrency exchanges have not been shielded from these issues. Many have been targeted and successfully hacked in the past. And if recent collapses like that of FTX have shown us anything, it’s that some firms have also been both reckless in managing customer funds or susceptible to full-blown bankruptcies. Users who custodied their assets on FTX lost tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.
So then, why do investors still choose custodial over non-custodial wallets? Custodial wallets are typically easier to use, especially for newcomers, as they often come with a user-friendly interface. Those offered by exchanges often provide more services, such as trading, borrowing, staking or rewards services. Additionally, many custodial providers have recovery options so if you forget your password or lose access to your account, there is usually a way to recover it because the service provider maintains control of the keys.
Whereas with self-custody, individuals are responsible for maintaining their private key. There is no password reset. Misplaced private keys may mean total irrecoverable loss of funds. Lastly, certain custodial providers offer insurance solutions to mitigate certain counterparty risk.
As users assess the pros and cons between both solutions, there are additional factors that have become increasingly relevant given recent market investors. When users deposit their crypto on a centralized exchange, they are essentially “loaning” their crypto coins to the exchange, in turn making them unsecured creditors. In doing so, they give the exchange the power to use those funds at its discretion, meaning the funds may be used as collateral for large loans, trades, etc.
Assuming these exchanges use the funds as intended, implement risk management strategies and keep careful records to inform next steps, they offer a convenient and theoretically safe avenue for investors to hold their crypto. Unfortunately, FTX has proven that firms don’t necessarily abide by responsible standards, calling into question the integrity of centralized exchanges and the safety of custodial wallets more broadly.
Businesses can, in part, avoid some of these third-party risks by ensuring they select exchanges that are regulatory compliant, employ high-security standards and are transparent with regard to their funds and ability to collateralize assets. As greater regulation is introduced, there should be tighter safeguards in place to protect investors and their funds when they choose to trust custodians with their crypto.
Overall, businesses and individuals should constantly scrutinize their custodial strategies to ensure their funds are properly managed. One avenue could be to employ both types of custodial solutions for funds, keeping a very close eye on those that are held by custodians and ensuring they are properly diversified.
The information provided here is not investment, tax or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation.
Anthony Georgiades is the co-founder of Pastel Network.
This article was published through Cointelegraph Innovation Circle, a vetted organization of senior executives and experts in the blockchain technology industry who are building the future through the power of connections, collaboration and thought leadership. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Cointelegraph.
[PRESS RELEASE – Dubai, UAE, June 13th, 2025]
Leading web3 investor DWF Ventures has published an analysis of Binance Alpha and Spot listings. It examines the performance of projects that have reached the exchange’s spot market following a token launch on Binance Alpha.
DWF Ventures has comprehensively analyzed the projects that have featured on Binance Alpha following the introduction of the listing mechanism in 2024. It highlights the increased transparency that Alpha brings by enabling users to appraise the merits of emerging tokens, some of which have the potential to migrate to a Binance Spot listing.
Research conducted by DWF Ventures has found that of the more than 190 projects to have been selected by Binance Alpha to date, more than 70% are currently trading at below $50M market cap, while a handful of outliers such as Ondo and Virtuals have surpassed $1B valuation.
DWF Ventures’ analysis also shows that memecoins and AI agents have dominated Binance Alpha projects with DeFi in third place. Memecoins and AI agents surpass all other onchain sectors featured in Binance Alpha combined. DWF further found that Solana was the most popular chain for featured projects, followed closely by BNB Chain and Ethereum.
Key findings from DWF Ventures’ Binance Alpha report include the fact that around 10% of Alpha projects converted to a Spot listing, with a total of 19 making the grade. DeFi and memecoins had the highest conversion rate, while the most valuable projects after Ondo and Virtuals were Maple Finance and Cookie DAO.
DWF Ventures summarizes its report by noting that projects that migrate from Alpha to Spot are typically defined by active social media engagement, high trading volume, and are category leaders in popular onchain verticals. The full DWF Ventures report can be read here.
About DWF Labs
DWF Labs is the new generation Web3 investor and market maker, one of the world’s largest high-frequency cryptocurrency trading entities, which trades spot and derivatives markets on over 60 top exchanges.
Learn more: https://www.dwf-labs.com/
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Cryptocurrency
Roam Launches on Binance Alpha and Solana’s Meteora DEX, Expands Cross-Chain Access via BSC Integration
[PRESS RELEASE – Vancouver, Canada, June 13th, 2025]
Roam, the open wireless network powered by WiFi and eSIM technologies, today announced its official listing on Binance Alpha, alongside the launch of a liquidity pool on Meteora, the leading Solana-based DEX. This dual listing marks a significant step in Roam’s cross-chain expansion, boosting $ROAM token accessibility across both BNB Chain and Solana ecosystems.
Beginning June 13 at 13:00 UTC, eligible Binance users can participate in the ROAM Alpha campaign and claim rewards through Binance’s official event portal. Simultaneously, liquidity providers on Meteora can earn platform-specific incentives via Roam’s official LP pool.
Staking and Airdrop Rewards for General Users and Roam Miners
Roam is introducing a high-yield staking program offering an average 35% APY for general users. Meanwhile, Roam Miner users can access a dedicated staking pool with 500 $ROAM staking capacity per device, a guaranteed 100% APY, and monthly airdrops of 40 $ROAM per device for six consecutive months.
This reward structure is designed to align long-term community participation with Roam’s DePIN-based infrastructure and token economy.
Binance Alpha: Early Access to Curated Web3 Projects
Binance Alpha is Binance’s discovery platform for early-stage Web3 tokens, offering users curated access to high-potential projects. ROAM was selected based on its ecosystem growth, on-chain traction, and technical innovation.
With Alpha’s streamlined “Quick Buy” feature, users can purchase ROAM without adjusting slippage or navigating gas-intensive environments. Enhanced trade routing and MEV protection ensure security and efficiency. Participants can also earn Alpha Points by trading or holding ROAM, unlocking airdrops, and other future benefits.
Meteora Listing Enhances $ROAM Liquidity on Solana
Roam’s debut on Meteora—the dynamic liquidity protocol developed by the team behind Jupiter—brings sustainable market depth to $ROAM within the Solana DeFi ecosystem. Meteora’s DLMM architecture, AMM vaults, and liquidity aggregation reduce volatility and deliver optimized capital efficiency for LPs.
The integration strengthens Roam’s Solana presence while supporting long-term DeFi adoption and trading scalability.
BSC Integration Enables Cross-Chain Token Access via Roam App
To improve user accessibility and trading flexibility, Roam has enabled native cross-chain support via Wormhole’s NTT framework, allowing users to bridge ROAM between Solana and BNB Chain directly within the Roam App. The process is intuitive, requiring no third-party tools or external wallets.
This BSC integration introduces $ROAM to new users across Binance’s CEX and DeFi ecosystems while offering reduced transaction costs. Users can deposit directly from Binance accounts and access $ROAM on platforms such as PancakeSwap. The feature complements Binance Alpha’s zero-fee trading promotion (March 17–September 17, 2025), further reducing onboarding friction.
Building Real-World Adoption Through Decentralized Connectivity
Roam is expanding its presence as a decentralized infrastructure provider focused on enabling real-world connectivity. Backed by OpenRoaming and eSIM technologies, Roam has deployed over 10 million WiFi nodes, serving more than 2.8 million global users.
With the Roam App, users can connect to nearby Roam WiFi hotspots and earn Roam Points by contributing to the network—through adding WiFi nodes, completing WiFi Check-Ins, and participating in community-driven campaigns. These points can be converted into $ROAM tokens, creating a tangible bridge between user contributions and token utility.
Roam’s token model supports real yield through network growth, and its expanding ecosystem includes targeted advertising, Web3 travel integrations, and enterprise-grade eSIM services trusted by partners like Bybit and MEXC. The soon-to-launch Premium eSIM will integrate voice, SMS, and high-speed data, with users able to purchase service directly using $ROAM—strengthening utility across both consumer and enterprise use cases.
About Roam
Roam is focused on building a decentralized global open wireless network that provides seamless, secure connectivity for individuals and smart devices, whether stationary or mobile. Through a blockchain-based credential infrastructure, Roam has supported the adoption of WiFi OpenRoaming among small and medium-sized businesses.
As highlighted in Messari’s 2024 State of DePIN report, Roam is recognized as the fourth-largest DePIN project globally, with a network of over 2.1 million nodes spanning 200 countries and a user base of 2.4 million registered app users. The network also enables access to free eSIM data through participation in activities such as building and validating WiFi nodes, demonstrating Roam’s role in advancing adoption within the DePIN sector.
Users can contact Roam via:
Twitter: https://x.com/weRoamxyz
Telegram: https://t.me/WeRoamXYZ
For more information, users can visit the Roam App or follow official exchange announcements.
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Sharplink Gaming has taken a major step into the crypto space by establishing an Ethereum Treasury Reserve and acquiring over $462 million worth of ETH. This move makes the company the largest public holder of ETH, second only to the Ethereum Foundation.
According to a press release, Sharplink purchased 176,270.69 ETH at an average price of $2,626, totaling approximately $462.9 million. The acquisition reflects a major shift in the firm’s strategy, placing Ethereum at the center of its digital asset reserves.
Sharplink’s ETH Funding Strategy
To fund the purchase, Sharplink raised $425 million through a private placement deal and another $79 million via an at-the-market (ATM) equity offering. The company used most of these proceeds to acquire ETH, highlighting its strong commitment to building a substantial crypto reserve.
As a result, Sharplink reported an 11.9% increase in ETH per share since June 2. It has also deployed over 95% of its ETH into staking and liquid staking protocols, contributing to Ethereum’s network security while generating passive yield.
Stock Dips Despite Ethereum Bet
Despite Sharplink’s bullish ETH announcement, its stock (SBET) experienced sharp volatility. According to Google Finance, the stock dropped 12.25% on Thursday to close at $32.50, then plunged to as low as $8 in after-hours trading.
However, by Friday, it had recovered slightly to $11.05, still down about 66% over 24 hours. Nonetheless, the stock remains up nearly 230% over the past month and 37% year-to-date.
Meanwhile, the steep drop came after Sharplink filed an S-3 registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing outlined a possible resale of 58.7 million shares issued during a previous private investment in public equity (PIPE) offering, involving more than 100 investors.
In turn, this triggered fears of dilution, prompting a wave of selling. In response, Sharplink Chairman Joseph Lubin clarified on X that the filing doesn’t reflect any current sales. He explained that it only registers shares in case past investors choose to sell later.
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