Crypto Custody Author Urges Users to Keep AI Off Wallet Devices

Crypto custody author 闪电 HSL recommends multisignature wallets for frequently moved assets and keeping AI tools off wallet devices to reduce reliance on a single key.

For assets moved often, the author favors a 2-of-3 multisignature arrangement: three keys are distributed across devices, and two are needed to authorize a transaction. The guidance gives phone- and computer-based wallets as an example of how keys might be spread. It presents this as the author’s approach to frequently used funds.

The suggested setup differs for Bitcoin (BTC) held for years. The author argues that long-term holdings used mainly for exchange deposits and withdrawals may not need multiple devices or multisignature controls. Instead, the article proposes a dedicated MacBook running Bitcoin Core with a 2 TB drive. It also says a custody plan should account for the assets and networks involved, how often they move, the complexity a user can manage and how family members could take over.

The guidance recommends keeping AI off the phone or computer used to control wallets. Users can practice on a test wallet by sharing its screens with an AI tool and asking it to explain each step. For a real transaction, if AI review is needed, the author recommends photographing the signing screen with a separate device rather than sending a screenshot from the wallet device.

For new websites and wallet apps, the author suggests checking addresses and listings against several references, including official project sites and other sources, with AI as an additional check. Security alerts should be verified through official channels, and the article cautions against following links in alert emails or posts. It also proposes asking AI to draft a custody plan based on a user’s circumstances, then probing the plan for weaknesses from an attacker’s perspective.