The seed phrase is the only recovery key for your Bitcoin and digital asset wallets. If someone obtains your seed phrase, they can access your wallet and steal your assets. Naturally, if you forget your recovery key, you permanently lose access to your wallet and assets. Therefore, it is crucial to protect your seed phrase from online and offline threats. In this article , we introduce the most important solutions for securing your seed phrase.

Risks of Storing Seed Phrases on Paper

When creating a digital asset wallet, you are provided with a seed phrase (or you generate one yourself). After the process is complete, you receive 12, 18, or 24 words that should be stored offline for enhanced security.
These words must be written down in the exact order; otherwise, the recovery of your assets will not be possible. The simplest solution that comes to mind is writing down the seed phrase, but this method comes with various risks:

1. Physical Damage: Water, fire, and other environmental factors can cause the paper to be destroyed or make the seed phrase unreadable.


2. Theft or Loss of Paper: A piece of paper can easily be lost or stolen.


3. Lack of Redundancy: If you store the seed phrase on a single piece of paper, you have no backup or duplicate.


4. Degradation: Paper and ink deteriorate over time, making this method unsuitable for long-term storage of seed phrases.

Safety Tips for Seed Phrase Storage

If writing the seed phrase on paper is not suitable for long-term storage, what can be done to preserve and store it securely? Let's explore some possible solutions.

1. Divide the Seed Phrase into Multiple Parts: A better method to protect the seed phrase is to divide it into multiple parts and store them in different locations. This reduces the risk of a single point of failure. However, this method is not foolproof, as losing one part of the seed phrase renders the entire phrase useless. You can divide the seed phrase into 2, 3, or even 4 parts and label them. You can even use special numbering systems that only you are aware of. For example, if you have divided the seed phrase into 4 parts, instead of using numbers 1 to 4, you can choose a number like 2008 (in order). This way, only you know the correct order that forms the year number.


2. Use a Password-Protected Single-Signature Wallet: Using a wallet with a password-protected single signature adds an extra layer of security to the seed phrase. With this method, you can use the seed phrase along with a unique password to recover your assets. In the future, you will need both the seed phrase and the password to access your wallet. It is better to store these two passwords separately. This way, if someone finds the seed phrase, they cannot access your wallet without the password.


3. Use a Multi-Signature Wallet: Using a multi-signature (multi-sig) wallet is another method to protect your seed phrase. In this type of wallet, all signatures are required to authorize transactions. For example, you can create a wallet with 2 or 3 signatures. To access the assets in this wallet, at least 2 signatures are required. By entrusting the responsibility of safeguarding the seed phrase to trusted individuals, you can minimize security risks.


4. Utilize a Steel Plate: Another method is to store the seed phrase on a steel plate that is durable, fireproof, and waterproof. By engraving the seed phrase on a metal plate, you can protect it from environmental and physical damage. This method is superior to writing on paper, but it is still essential to keep the metal.


5. Storing in a Safe Deposit Box or Secure Storage: Regardless of the method you choose for storing your recovery phrase, it is important to keep it in a safe deposit box or a secure storage space. You can use a high-quality safe deposit box or bank vaults for this purpose. Storing the recovery phrase in these types of spaces minimizes the risk of theft and unauthorized access.


6. Redundancy and Backups: Alongside the storage method you have chosen for your recovery phrase, it is necessary to have multiple backups. If the original copy is lost or damaged, you can still access the recovery phrase with a backup copy. Create backups of the recovery phrase using different methods, such as using a steel plate, encrypting digital storage, or storing it in a secure location. This way, even if one backup is lost, you can still access your recovery phrase and assets through other copies.


7. Observing Digital Security Measures: In terms of safeguarding your recovery phrase, it is important to be aware of digital security measures. If you intend to create a digitally encrypted backup, choose a strong password and store it in a secure place. Avoid storing your recovery phrase on devices connected to the internet, such as mobile phones or computers, as these devices are vulnerable to hacking and malware.


8. Regular Updates and Reviews: To ensure that your method of storing the seed phrase is effective and secure, it should be periodically reviewed and updated. If you are using methods such as a steel plate or writing on paper, check their physical condition, and replace them if you notice signs of wear or damage. Additionally, regularly review your digital security measures and update your encryption methods and passwords when necessary.


9. Educating Trusted Individuals: If you are using a multi-signature wallet and plan to involve trusted individuals in the storage of the recovery phrase, it is essential to provide them with necessary security instructions. Make sure these individuals understand the risks associated with the loss of the recovery phrase and the required security measures.

Summary: To preserve the security of your assets and digital currencies, it is crucial to properly safeguard your wallet's recovery phrase. By being aware of different storage methods and their associated risks, you can combine these techniques to enhance the security of your recovery phrase. Remember that for maintaining a high level of security, it is important to regularly review and update your storage method as conditions in the digital currency market are constantly changing. In this article, we aimed to familiarize you with key points for safeguarding your recovery phrase. What methods do you use to store your wallet's recovery phrase? In your opinion, which method is more effective? Please share your thoughts and opinions with us.