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Self-custody vs custodial banking
Glide is hybrid by design: embedded wallets and on-chain vaults for crypto, partner custody for fiat rails. Choose the control surface that matches the balance.
Where Glide wins
- ✓You can leave with keys (survival guide)
- ✓Vault thresholds and owners are on-chain facts
- ✓Hybrid fiat when counterparties demand IBAN/ACH
- ✓Policy and agents without giving away root keys
Where Self-custody vs custodial still wins
- ·Pure custodial apps recover accounts with email OTP only
- ·No user responsibility for key hygiene
- ·Sometimes simpler statements for non-crypto accountants
| Dimension | Glide | Self-custody vs custodial |
|---|---|---|
| Who can freeze crypto | Chain + issuer + policy; not a hidden omnibus alone | Platform can freeze ledger balance |
| Recovery if app dies | Safe / Squads / wallet export | Depends on bankruptcy process |
| Team approvals | On-chain M-of-N | Off-chain roles |
| Fiat rails | Partner EMI/bank | Platform ledger |
| User burden | Key health + owner ops | Password / KYC only |