Before we dive into the future of self-custody, we need to take a step back and explore its evolution, from its earliest days to where we stand now. Banking has been the bedrock of custody for over a thousand years, shaping how individuals and societies manage and protect their assets. To fully understand the modern reality of self-custody and its current challenges, we must first trace its origins, from the dawn of ownership in pre-barter times to the complex systems of trade that led to the rise of modern custodial banking. Only by examining this journey can we effectively explore where self-custody is heading.