An open custody standard for Bitcoin

Your keys deserve
deeper safeguards.

Ice Core is a visual and educational guide for the Yeti 2.0 methodology for Bitcoin custody. The methodology uses Bitcoin Core as the foundation of the process, because it is the most reviewed and audited software for Bitcoin custody.

Ice core stack.Six cylindrical ice shapes slide down one after another to form a vertical stack labelled Distributed backups, 3-of-7 multisig, Explicit PSBT transfer, Offline signing, Bitcoin Core, and Verified Linux.DISTRIBUTED BACKUPS3-OF-7 MULTISIGEXPLICIT PSBT TRANSFEROFFLINE SIGNINGBITCOIN COREVERIFIED LINUX

The principle

Minimise specialised trust.
Keep every critical step visible.

A hardware wallet concentrates confidence in a dedicated device, its firmware, vendor and companion software. The Yeti methodology reduces vulnerabilities in those devices by using well-audited solutions with general-purpose computers, verified Linux distributions, and Bitcoin Core.

01 · Observe

The network stays over here.

The online computer watches the blockchain and prepares unsigned transactions. It never receives the keys required to spend.

02 · Isolate

The keys begin and stay offline.

A separate general-purpose computer enters a verified, disposable Linux environment. Security-critical work happens beyond the network boundary.

03 · Transfer

Approve transactions offline.

A Partially Signed Bitcoin Transaction crosses the boundary on removable media. The offline system can inspect and sign without requiring the Internet.

04 · Distribute

Redundancy provides recovery.

A 3-of-7 treshold spreads redundancy across locations, reducing risk of catastrophic loss. No single loss destroys access; no single copy authorises a spend.

An important boundary

A guide is not an audit.

The versioned operational guide faithfully adapts Yeti 2.0, but Ice Core has not independently audited that design. Verify every command, rehearse with insignificant value, and respect every stop condition.

Open the step-by-step guide

A methodology, not a product

No specialised hardware.
Nothing central to trust.
Just information.

01

Guide

The complete A–D workflow, presented one verifiable action at a time.

Start the guide →
02

FAQ

Plain-language explanations of the methodology’s decisions, limitations and security trade-offs.

Read the FAQ →

Begin the walkthrough guide.

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