Cryptocurrency

Is It Safe to Leave Crypto on an Exchange? – A Comprehensive Guide

By Christy Bella | August 2, 2023

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The meteoric rise of cryptocurrencies has generated a wealth of opportunities and a new landscape of investment for individuals and institutions alike. However, with these opportunities come several risks and challenges, one of the most significant being the storage and safety of these digital assets. This article aims to explore the question, “Is it safe to leave crypto on an exchange?”

Cryptocurrency Exchanges: A Brief Overview

Cryptocurrency exchanges are platforms that facilitate the buying, selling, and trading of various cryptocurrencies.

Some popular examples include Coinbase, Binance, eToro, and Kraken. After purchasing cryptocurrencies on these platforms, users often leave their digital assets on the exchange for convenience or quick access for trading. But how safe is this practice?

Understanding the Risks

1. Exchange Hacks

Despite the sophisticated security measures taken by many exchanges, they are not impervious to hacks. Notable instances such as the Mt. Gox hack in 2014 and the Coincheck hack in 2018 saw users losing millions worth of cryptocurrencies.

Even top-tier exchanges like Binance have experienced security breaches. In a hack, not only could you potentially lose all your digital assets stored on the exchange, but personal information linked to your account could also be at risk.

2. Exchange Insolvency

Exchanges could also face insolvency issues, as seen with the infamous QuadrigaCX incident. In 2019, the exchange declared bankruptcy following the alleged death of its founder, who was the only one with access to the company’s cold wallets.

Thousands of users lost their investments, revealing another risk of leaving your crypto on an exchange.

3. Regulatory and Legal Risks

Regulatory bodies worldwide are catching up with the fast-paced crypto industry, and their decisions can impact exchanges significantly.

For instance, an exchange may face legal action or be forced to cease operations because of non-compliance with emerging laws and regulations, potentially impacting the users and their assets.

Mitigating the Risks

While the risks are real, they can be mitigated with the following strategies:

1. Use Trusted Exchanges

Reputable exchanges invest significantly in security infrastructure. A safe UK crypto exchange may employ practices such as keeping a majority of funds in cold storage (offline wallets) and having robust security protocols to prevent hacks.

They may also be insured against theft and have a clear legal framework for operation, which adds an extra layer of safety for your funds.

2. Enable Security Features

Most exchanges offer security features such as two-factor authentication (2FA), biometric scanning, withdrawal whitelist, and anti-phishing codes.

Users should take full advantage of these features to increase their account security.

3. Regular Withdrawals to Personal Wallets

Consider moving a significant portion of your cryptocurrencies to a personal wallet, especially if you don’t plan on trading them regularly.

While this might not be as convenient as leaving them on the exchange, it puts control of the private keys (and therefore the control of the cryptocurrencies) in your hands.

Personal Wallets: An Alternative to Exchanges

Personal wallets, both hardware and software versions, offer a way to store cryptocurrencies securely. A primary advantage of personal wallets is that they allow the user to maintain control over their private keys.

1. Hardware Wallets

These physical devices store a user’s private keys offline in a secure area of the device. Since they are kept offline, they provide an added layer of security as they are immune to online hacks.

Examples of hardware wallets include Trezor and Ledger.

2. Software Wallets

These are programs or apps that can be installed on a computer or a smartphone. While they are connected to the internet, making them theoretically less secure than hardware crypto wallets, reputable software wallets implement robust security measures to protect your assets.

3. Paper Wallets

These are physical documents that contain the public and private keys of a cryptocurrency wallet. They are created by using a software program to randomly generate a public and private key. The keys are then printed onto a piece of paper, which can be stored securely.

While each of these wallets provides additional security, they also require a higher degree of responsibility. If you lose access to these wallets (losing the hardware wallet, forgetting the password, losing the piece of paper for paper wallets), it may be impossible to recover your assets.

Conclusion

To answer the question, “Is it safe to leave crypto on an exchange?” the response would be: it depends. While exchanges have made significant strides in security, risks like hacks, insolvencies, and regulatory actions remain.

These risks can be mitigated by using trusted exchanges, taking advantage of security features, and regularly moving funds to personal wallets. A comprehensive strategy for managing cryptocurrencies will likely involve a mix of both exchange-based storage and personal wallets, balancing the ease of use and access to trading on exchanges with the enhanced security of personal wallets.

It’s crucial for all crypto users to understand the security implications and take proactive measures to protect their investments. Remember, in the crypto world, the phrase “Not your keys, not your coins” is a critical piece of advice worth considering.