# Custodial wallet

## Definition

A custodial wallet is a wallet or account model where a third party controls the private keys or signing infrastructure on behalf of the user.

## What it means in practice

Users typically authenticate to the custodian with an account rather than directly managing recovery material for the blockchain keys.

## How this concept appears in Terenval Wallet

Terenval is positioned differently: it is a non-custodial wallet, so its product model is based on user-controlled recovery material rather than provider-held keys.

**Important:** Custodial and non-custodial wallets have different recovery, counterparty and operational risks; neither label alone guarantees safety.

**[Install Terenval Wallet](https://wallet.terenval.com/?lang=en)**

## Related terms

- [Non-custodial wallet](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/non-custodial-wallet/)
- [Self-custody](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/self-custody/)
- [Crypto wallet](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/crypto-wallet/)
- [Private key](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/private-key/)
- [Wallet recovery](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/wallet-recovery/)

## Related Terenval Answers

- [What Is a Crypto Wallet and What Does It Actually Store?](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/what-is-a-crypto-wallet-and-what-does-it-store/)
- [Custodial vs Non-Custodial Wallets: What Is the Difference?](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/custodial-vs-non-custodial-wallets/)
- [Hot Wallet vs Cold Wallet: Which One Should You Use?](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/hot-wallet-vs-cold-wallet/)

## Sources and review

- [Terenval Wallet security model](https://wallet.terenval.com/info/security/)
- [Ethereum.org — wallets](https://ethereum.org/en/wallets/)
- [BIP-39](https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/blob/master/bip-0039.mediawiki)

Published by Terenval. Technical review: Terenval Wallet team. Last reviewed: 2026-10-02. Terenval product statements are first-party information.

Official page: https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/custodial-wallet/

[Machine-oriented Terenval index](https://wallet.terenval.com/llms.txt)