### Wallet applications like Metamask claim to provide you with control over your digital assets. Is that control absolute? Is Metamask a true self-custody wallet?

#### Is Metamask a self-custody wallet?
We'll cut to the chase- yes. Metamask is a true self-custody wallet. What makes it a self-custody wallet? Is it the right choice for you? You will have a full explanation and a crystal clear answer once you understand the fundamentals of self-custody and self-custody wallets.

#### What is Self-Custody?

Self-custody is the practice of controlling your own digital assets by managing the private key yourself. When a private key is managed by an intermediary or another service that you cannot control, your assets are not under self-custody. Instead, they are under the control of someone else. 

#### What is a self-custody wallet?
A self-custody wallet is an instrument by which you can fully control your private key and sign transactions by yourself. 

#### Do self-custody wallets require a connection to the internet?
No. For a self-custody wallet to work, it must hold your private key securely, and give you a means to sign transactions on the device. 

#### How does Metamask allow me to control my private keys?
Metamask encrypts your private key and places it in the storage of your device - whether it's a browser or a phone. This means you store your keys, not Metamask. 

#### How does Metamask allow me to sign transactions?
When a decentralized application requires a signature, Metamask prompts you to reject or sign the transaction request. If you choose to sign the transaction, your private key will be used to generate the signature. A signature made through Metamask is made using a one-way hashing algorithm, meaning it is safe to reveal the signature to anyone, as it cannot be used to reverse-engineer your private key.  Once the signature is completed, Metamask transmits that data online to the requesting application. 

#### Is Metamask signing the transaction on my behalf?
No. You are signing the transaction yourself. Think of Metamask as a tool like a pen utilized to sign transactions. A pen has no ability to draw a signature or to remember what a signature looks like- only the signer has that power, and the signer is you. 

#### Does internet access on a self-custody wallet have risks?
Yes. When a wallet application such as Metamask provides internet accessibility, it introduces security risks. Those risks are mitigated by the wallet itself (i.e., your private key remains on your device, not on a Metamask server), but you should still be aware of the risks before and while using Metamask.

#### Why does Metamask allow internet access?
To facilitate the use of decentralized applications, which must be connected to the internet.

#### How do offline wallets like Ledger allow you to sign transactions?
Ledger's middleware application does something similar to Metamask. It takes an online request for a signature and it passes the intent and the data to your offline wallet. The offline wallet can then request you to approve the signature or reject it. If approved, the signature is generated offline, and then sent to the middleware to transmit the data back to the requesting application. 

#### Which wallet is right for me?
If you prefer convenience and can tolerate the idea that Metamask provides the signing capacity and decentralized application browsing capacity in a single application, Metamask or Trust Wallet will work for you. 

If your peace of mind depends on using a wallet that is air-gapped (never connected to the internet at any time), then cold storage wallets like Ledger or Trezor are for you.

If you are undecided, it doesn't hurt to read more. If you'd like to try Metamask, our [guide is helpful](https://www.cryptoflash.report/articles/how-to-take-self-custody-of-your-crypto).

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As always, do your own research before making decisions that affect your life, and remember, nothing in this article is financial advice. All content on this site is provided for educational purposes. 


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