Crypto User Protection Guide: Best Practices to Safeguard Your Assets
The year 2022 has been one of unending turbulence for crypto enthusiasts. Just when we thought the worst was over, the news of FTX facing impending insolvency threw us a curveball, and weâre braced for another crypto crash.
Timeline of 2022 Binance â FTX Feud Prior to FTX Implosion
Wed., Nov. 2 â Revelation of Alameda holding billions of FTT as collateral
Sun., Nov. 6 â Binanceâs liquidation of FTT holdings
Mon., Nov. 7 â Alameda offers to buy back Binanceâs FTT holdings at $22
Tues., Nov. 8 â Binance rejects Alamedaâs offer and subsequent signing of a nonbinding LOI to take over FTX
Wed., Nov. 9 â Binance exits FTX acquisition deal; FTX announces bankruptcy
Read more about the incidents leading up to FTXâs collapse
As we bemoan our losses, let's not forget the lesson to be learned from this painful incident. Which is, protect and secure your cryptocurrencies so you donât lose all your hard-earned funds. Choosing a reliable exchange to keep your crypto safe is vital to your well-being. Bybit is a highly liquid and reliable exchange that provides excellent 24/7 customer service to assure your crypto assets are safe.
Aside from choosing the right exchange to trade and invest your crypto, there are many other ways to keep your crypto safe. You also need to be well-informed about the rapidly changing trends and news in the crypto industry.
Here are some tips to protect your crypto.
Proof of Reserves (PoR)
In light of FTXâs mismanagement of customersâ assets, itâs clear that transparency is imperative to regulate the health of the crypto industry. The best way for crypto exchanges to prove theyâre merited custodians is by presenting a Merkle tree proof of reserves (PoR) certificate. Bybit shows weâre ready to be fully transparent with our clients as we work to provide a PoR, showing all customersâ balances are completely stored in the exchange and can be withdrawn anytime.
Learn more about Proof of Reserves (PoR)
Protecting Your Exchange Account
Bybit has never been hacked and is among the most reliable exchanges with unparalleled security. Whatâs more, you can enhance the protection of your Bybit account with two easy steps. First, create a strong password. Next, turn on 2FA and bind it to your Google Authenticator. Having the combination of a strong password and a 2FA gives you maximum security for your account and assets.
Learn how to protect your Bybit Account
Crypto Insurance
Besides protecting your exchange account, another way to boost your security when trading and investing in exchanges is through crypto insurance. Some exchanges offer it to ensure your funds are protected even if the exchange gets hacked. Bybit offers our own form of crypto-safety assurance with an insurance fund that protects traders from auto-deleveraging (ADL).
Understand more about crypto insurance
Find out more about Bybit insurance fund
Trade Your Crypto Safely
Since the crypto market is highly volatile, learning how to cut losses is just as important as learning how to make profits. You can protect your positions with two types of orders: Stop-loss order and stop-limit order.
Stop-loss order is an easy way to limit your potential losses, as itâs automated. All you have to do is set a stop-loss order at a specific price level and the order will automatically close when it touches that level.
Stop-limit order combines a stop order and a limit order, so you have two prices to set. While more complex than a stop-loss order, a stop-limit order gives you greater control over your trade. Itâs a valuable tool in a volatile market.
Learn how to use stop-loss and stop-limit orders
Know Your Wallets
Itâs essential to choose the right wallet for storing your cryptocurrencies. Here are the different types of crypto wallets to know about before making a decision.
Custodial vs. Noncustodial Wallets
Custodial wallets are wallets used by crypto exchanges and DeFi platforms. When you place your crypto in one of these wallets, youâre entrusting your funds to a third-party custodian. Hence, choosing a reliable wallet/custodian is crucial. Among the best custodial wallets, Bybit Wallet keeps your assets and private key fully secure, and gives you access to the web3 space where you can explore NFTs, DeFi and GameFi.
A noncustodial wallet is managed fully by you. It requires a certain level of crypto know-how to use, since youâll be keeping track of your keys and assets on your own.
Find the best custodial wallets in the market
Learn how custodial and noncustodial wallets differ
Hot Wallets vs. Cold Wallets
Hot wallets are online wallets that can be either custodial or noncustodial. When using hot wallets, users may be subject to hacks. If you intend to HODL your crypto, it may be advisable to invest in a cold wallet for further protection. Unlike hot wallets, cold wallets arenât connected to the internet. They wonât fall prey to malware or hacking attacks, making them an incredibly safe wallet to store your crypto assets.
Understand the difference between hot wallets and cold wallets
Multisig Wallets
A multisig wallet helps you store your cryptocurrency more securely, as you can only access your assets when two or more signatures are entered together.
Find out all you need to know about multisig wallets
Back Up Your Private Keys
When you use a noncustodial hot wallet, you need to back up your private key to ensure your crypto stays secure. There are four ways to do it: 1) use a seed phrase; 2) back up your wallet file; 3) export your private keys; 4) perform a physical backup on paper or a flash drive.
Learn about the various ways to backup your private key
Be Alert of Crypto Scams
Crypto scams are rife within the industry. Among the biggest of 2022 is the alleged Celsius Ponzi scheme, which amplified the impact of the crypto crash. Crypto scams can range from rug pulls to pump-and-dump, phishing and more. Since many types of scams unfold, keeping up-to-date with the news and catching on to the existing scams will help you stay clear of them.
Keep updated about existing crypto scams
Learn how to protect yourself from crypto scams
P2P Crypto Scams
When trading crypto on exchanges that offer peer-to-peer (P2P) trading services, be aware that P2P scams can occur if the seller attempts to skirt the exchangeâs escrow system by making an external transaction with the buyer. After the seller receives the buyerâs payment, the scammer pretends the transaction didnât go through, and refuses to keep their end of the bargain.
To protect yourself from P2P scams, conduct all trading on the exchange. Bybit ensures customers are well taken care of with 24/7 customer service and escrow service.
Understand how P2P crypto scams work and how to avoid them
Conclusion
In the decentralized space, absolute ownership comes with absolute responsibility. You get to own your cryptocurrency, so itâs important for you to secure your crypto funds and not lose them. Make sure you trade on a safe and reliable exchange such as Bybit, learn to prevent loss in your trades, choose the right wallet in which to store your crypto, back up your private keys, and stay educated on scams and frauds. These measures will keep your wallet damage to a minimum even in the most catastrophic of events.