Core principles
If you remember nothing else from this guide, remember these. Each links to the page that goes deeper.
Bitcoin on an exchange is an IOU. It’s only truly yours when you hold the keys.
The device is replaceable — lose or break it and you restore from your words. The words are the money.
Not the most impressive, not the one a vendor sells. The simplest one that defends against the risks you can name.
Complexity is the single biggest cause of lost Bitcoin. Climb the ladder only for a real reason.
Wipe and restore with a tiny amount before you trust it with savings. Prove it, don’t assume it.
No photo, no cloud, no typing it into a phone or computer — not even for a minute.
Your computer can be fooled by malware. The hardware wallet shows the truth. Check it every time.
The best physical protection is not being known as a holder. Share the idea, not your holdings.
Most lost Bitcoin isn’t stolen — it’s left behind with no instructions. Leave a plan your family can follow.
When you’re ready, run your own node so you check Bitcoin’s rules yourself instead of trusting someone’s server.
Verify. Don’t trust. Everything here is one expression of that idea — check your backup, check the address, check the rules, and don’t take anyone’s word for what’s yours.
✓ Last verified: July 15, 2026