What is Non-Custody?

Understand the fundamental difference between custodial and non-custodial trading. Learn why "Not your keys, not your coins" is the golden rule of crypto.

Last updated: 2025-12-26|7 min read

Custodial vs. Non-Custodial

In the world of finance, "custody" refers to who has physical or digital possession of your assets.

Custodial (CEX)

Think of a traditional bank. You give them your money, and they give you an IOU. They control the assets, and you must ask permission to move them.

Non-Custodial (DEX)

You are the sole possessor of your private keys. Assets live on the blockchain, and only you can authorize transactions. No middlemen involved.

Why Non-Custody Matters

The collapse of several major centralized exchanges has highlighted the inherent risks of custodial services. Non-custody provides three pillars of security:

  • Elimination of Counterparty Risk: You don't have to trust that the exchange is solvent or acting ethically.
  • Censorship Resistance: No central authority can freeze your funds or prevent you from trading.
  • On-Chain Transparency: Every transaction and the state of all collateral is verifiable by anyone in real-time.

How Dexly Ensures Non-Custody

Dexly is built as a transparent interface to the Hyperliquid Layer 1 blockchain. When you trade on Dexly, you aren't depositing into a Dexly-owned account.

Permissionless Architecture
Your funds move from your wallet (e.g., MetaMask) into audited smart contracts on the L1. These contracts are programmed to only execute orders signed by your wallet or authorized "Trading Agents."

The Golden Rule

The most famous phrase in crypto is: "Not your keys, not your coins."

By choosing non-custodial platforms like Dexly, you are embracing the true spirit of decentralization. You have 100% ownership, 100% transparency, and 100% control over your financial future.

Responsibility
Great power comes with great responsibility. Always keep your recovery phrase (seed phrase) safe and never share it with anyone.

Risk Warning: Trading perpetual futures involves significant risk of loss. Only trade with capital you can afford to lose. Dexly is a non-custodial interface; you are responsible for your own funds and trading decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions