You can see a balance in an exchange app. But when people say “wallet” or “self-custody”, the difference is hazy.
Why it matters
The difference is who controls the private keys. On an exchange, the operator does. In your own wallet, you do. Neither is simply better; the protections and the responsibilities change.
A step you can take yourself
Open the withdrawal screen of the service you use and see what it asks you to confirm. You don’t need to send anything.
With COMPASS
We map out bank deposits, exchange custody and self-custody with diagrams. I do not recommend buying any particular asset.
The address is a long string. There is a list of networks to choose from. You’ve heard a transfer can’t be undone, and you stop.
Why it matters
That caution is well placed. A confirmed transfer generally cannot be reversed, and no public scheme compensates a mistaken one. That is why the checks before sending matter.
A step you can take yourself
Before sending, say each item aloud as you check it: asset, network, the whole address, any memo or tag, amount and fee.
With COMPASS
If you wish, you practise a small send and receive on your own device, by your own hand. COMPASS never sends on your behalf.
You’re interested in a hardware wallet, but unsure where to buy one or how to initialise it. Doing it alone feels risky.
Why it matters
The recovery phrase created during setup is the information that can move your assets. Verifying the source of the device and initialising it yourself is the foundation for everything after.
A step you can take yourself
Buy the device from the manufacturer or an authorised reseller. When it arrives, check for yourself that it has not already been set up.
With COMPASS
I guide you through preparation and setup while you look at your own screen. Only you operate the device and handle the secrets.
You wrote the words on paper. Where should that paper live? What happens if the device breaks?
Why it matters
If the device fails, the phrase can restore the wallet. If the phrase is lost, recovery may be impossible; if someone else learns it, they may be able to move your assets.
A step you can take yourself
Don’t photograph it. Don’t put it in the cloud or a notes app. Don’t show it to anyone—including COMPASS. Start with those three.
With COMPASS
We work through storage and recovery principles and turn them into your own checklist. I will never ask for the phrase itself.
A reported technique plants an address with matching first and last characters in your transaction history, hoping you copy it next time. Ledger advises verifying an address on the hardware device’s screen before copying it.
Ledger describes the recovery phrase as the backup of all the private keys in a wallet. It says never to enter it into a computer or smartphone, never to share it, and that Ledger will never ask for it.
Manufacturer material is cited as a source. It does not indicate that COMPASS is an agent or partner of the manufacturer. Sources checked on 11 November 2026.
Easy to overlook
Owning crypto and understanding how a wallet works are two different things.
An address in a familiar format may still fail to arrive if the network is different.
Supported assets and networks differ between exchanges and services.
If someone claiming to be “support” asks for your phrase, treat it as a scam.
Buying a hardware wallet does not, by itself, prevent mistaken transfers or scams.
Tax and legal questions need to be confirmed with an appropriate professional.
Two services and their fees
Both are private education so that you can operate your own wallet. Fees, inclusions and separately quoted costs are set out here.
Starting option
SERVICE 01
Wallet Skills
For those who want to manage their own wallet
For anyone who wants to learn about crypto wallets from the basics and be able to set up, send and receive on their own.
Online
¥55,000
In person in Fukuoka
¥60,000
The Fukuoka price includes a ¥5,000 visit fee (within the agreed service area).
One private lesson
Up to 6 hours, including breaks
Typically 3–5 hours
Japanese or English
What’s included
One-day, one-on-one private lesson
Wallet fundamentals and security education
Wallet setup that you carry out yourself
Optional small test transactions
Includes 30 days of after-supportAsk questions about what you learned, by phone or message, after your lesson.
The aim: understand why each check matters, as well as how to perform it.
The six-stage curriculum
Understand the foundations
Explore digital assets and how wallets work.
Compare custody
Understand banks, exchanges, self-custody and the responsibilities of each.
Prepare and set up
Check the preparation needed and operate your own device with guidance.
Practise receiving and sending
Check addresses, networks, amounts, fees and transaction status.
Understand backup and recovery
Learn secret-information management and recovery principles.
Check and take it with you
Complete practical checks and take home guidance for review.
Delivery options & location conditions
In person in Fukuoka
¥60,000 total, including a ¥5,000 visit surcharge within the agreed Fukuoka service area. The core lesson is the same.
Other Japanese prefectures
Individual quotation. Availability and travel/accommodation expenses are confirmed before booking. Nationwide service is not promised.
International online
¥55,000 base lesson fee, subject to eligibility, payment arrangements, scheduling and applicable requirements. There is no nationality-based surcharge.
You provide the necessary devices, equipment and practice funds. We confirm supported equipment and services in advance. The session may finish earlier if the learning objectives are completed.
Most complete support
SERVICE 02
COMPASS Full Setup
For those who want a setup that truly fits them
Whether you are new to crypto or already hold some, we support you in building a management setup that suits you, from the basics to hands-on practice.
Online
¥120,000
In person in Fukuoka
¥125,000
The Fukuoka price includes a ¥5,000 visit fee (within the agreed service area).
Hardware and shipping are charged separately.
Two private sessions
Up to 6 hours in total
Online or in person
What’s included
Two private sessions, online or in person
Hardware selection and purchase guidance
Ledger Nano X and Ledger Live setup guidance
PIN, recovery and security education
Guided transaction practice, when appropriate
A personalized security and recovery checklist
Includes 90 days of after-supportAsk questions about your setup, by phone or message, after setup.
Full Setup is education and sourcing assistance so you can operate the wallet yourself. It is not setup or asset management performed on your behalf.
The 10 included elements
Initial private consultation and learning-needs assessment
Hardware selection and purchase guidance
Authorized-source purchasing and sourcing assistance
Delivery coordination, where available
Two private sessions, online or in person, totaling up to six hours
Ledger Nano X and Ledger Live setup guidance (you operate the device)
PIN, recovery and security education
Guided transaction practice, when appropriate
A personalized security and recovery checklist
90 days of after-support by phone and message after setup
Costs quoted separately where applicable
Hardware wallet
Shipping and insurance
Customs duties and import taxes
Travel expenses
Additional sessions or support
Other specifically agreed services
For international customers
The base service fee is ¥120,000, plus applicable additional costs subject to individual quotation and availability. Before confirming a booking, we check eligibility, hardware availability, authorized sourcing, shipping eligibility, customs/import duties, destination-country requirements, payment arrangements and scheduling.
Worldwide delivery is not promised. If hardware delivery is unavailable for your destination, we may offer the standard online educational lesson where appropriate.
Devices are sourced through trustworthy authorized channels without tampering or wallet preconfiguration. Only you initialize the device and generate and manage your secret information.
What’s included—and what isn’t
You can ask about
How wallets work and how custody options differ
Preparation and setup, carried out by you
Transfer checks and small practice transfers (if you wish)
Backup and recovery principles
After-support on what was covered (Wallet Skills 30 days / Full Setup 90 days)
Outside the scope
Recommending assets, trading instructions or profit guarantees
Holding your assets, or sending and trading on your behalf
Receiving or storing private keys, recovery phrases or passwords
Guarantees of safety or recovery
MetaMask, DeFi and complex multi-wallet setups (outside the standard packages)
Pause before authorizing a transfer.
Check the address, network, fees and destination compatibility, plus the asset, amount and any required memo/tag. If something is unclear, stop and check before sending.
COMPASS never requests, generates, photographs, receives or stores your private keys, recovery phrases or wallet passwords. We do not hold your assets or execute transactions for you. Self-custody and hardware wallets do not guarantee safety: volatility, lost/exposed secrets, scams and transfer errors remain risks.
MetaMask, DeFi and complex multi-wallet arrangements are outside the standard package. Any additional learning or support requires a separate review of scope and availability.