Custodial vs non-custodial: the risk you can’t see

The quiet variable

Two services can both be "no-KYC" while differing enormously in risk. The deciding factor is usually custody: does the service ever hold your funds?

Why custody is the real exposure

A custodial exchanger can freeze, lose or be compelled to hand over funds it holds, no identity required for that to hurt. Non-custodial designs remove the operator from the critical path entirely.

How to read our cards

That is why every listing flags custody explicitly, and why you can hide custodial services with a single filter. When in doubt, prefer the option that never touches your coins.