The subject of Bitcoin security was the focus of a recent conversation on Bitcoin Magazine between the publication and Cory Klippsten, founder and CEO of Swan Bitcoin, who put the latest industry trends and threats under the microscope.
Centralized Exchanges and Their Vulnerabilities
Klippsten referenced some of the more notable exchange hacks of late to illustrate how users are becoming more aware of better ways to protect their assets in a crypto world that is in a constant state of flux. “You have to consider the risks of putting your cryptocurrency on a centralized exchange,” he said in the interview. The Binance hack was cited as a case in point; with some $6.3 billion lost to cyberattacks, it is an apt demonstration of what can befall these platforms. For investors of any level of experience, such occurrences make security a matter of urgency.
In the wake of these kinds of events, Klippsten sees users being more rational in their approach to where and how they store their digital holdings. One is left to weigh the pros and cons of self-custody or an ETF against a reliable custodian. Then there is the matter of control.
Swan Sovereign: A Move Toward Safer Storage
Swan Bitcoin has come out with its Swan Sovereign service to meet the demands of this environment. It is a means for users to put their assets in cold storage and be less vulnerable to an online attack or the failure of an exchange. “It is about giving the user full control of their cryptocurrencies,” said Klippsten, “and that is fundamental to Bitcoin security.”
He was quick to note the drawbacks of a crypto ETF such as Grayscale’s GBTC: the fees are steep and the investor is not in direct control of the asset. His advice to anyone wanting genuine protection and ownership is to forgo the ETF and put real Bitcoin in an offline, secure setting.
The Case for Self-Custody and ‘Sovereign Multiplier’
There is also what Klippsten calls the ‘sovereign multiplier.’ By virtue of being decentralized and resistant to censorship, Bitcoin and its ilk should carry a premium. In a period of political or financial instability, it is a very attractive store of value. And one must be wary of governments with their backs to the wall; they may see fit to enact retrospective measures like the confiscation of assets. The political atmosphere in the U.S., post-election for instance, could well dictate the regulatory and security environment for crypto.
Long-Term Outlook: Bitcoin’s Unique Role in Portfolios
As an asset in a portfolio, Bitcoin is perhaps the most volatile and the first to respond to what is happening around the world, much more so than anything traditional. So holders would be wise to have their security in order. But do not let the day-to-day ebb and flow of the market or macroeconomics obscure the fact that Bitcoin has lasting worth by reason of its scarcity, its transparency, and its decentralization. That is why Klippsten is of the opinion that an investor should make a point of learning about Bitcoin security and own it directly rather than rely on a third party.
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