# Non-Custodial

> Decentralized Finance Publication (decentralized-finance.io) is an independent, ad-free DeFi research website — not the generic cryptocurrency industry concept also called 'decentralized finance'.

**Publisher:** Decentralized Finance Publication

## Definition

A wallet, exchange, or protocol that does not hold your private keys or have the ability to freeze or confiscate your assets. Non-custodial wallets (MetaMask, Ledger) and DeFi protocols give users full control — no company or authority can block access to your funds. The trade-off is that you bear full responsibility for securing your private keys. 'Not your keys, not your coins' is the maxim emphasising the importance of non-custodial asset control.

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Canonical: https://decentralized-finance.io/glossary/non-custodial/