[nikcub]

More dangerous than the tech part of the fork IMO is that with any one fork one or more of the bitcoin deposit holding companies can decide at-will that they'll follow a fork as the "new" bitcoin

This is an even bigger threat when you consider that they could be incentivized to follow a less valuable fork: exchange your new bitcoin for the old, convert all your users to the new bitcoin - you can now pocket the difference.

On the other hand you can also attempt to keep the airdropped funds from forks. Coinbase at first didn't recognize the Bitcoin Cash fork - it was only with pressure that they relented. But there have been other trusted holders who just "ignored" forks

[acchow]

Or you could hold your own bitcoin in your own wallet.

[nikcub]

That's the moral of the story - but a lot of people don't

I still haven't convinced my own brother that he needs to move his coins off-market - he said he'll "get around to it at some point"

Also have tech friends who keep coins in Coinbase/Coinbase Vault

[BinaryIdiot]

It's hard to ignore how handy it is when someone else holds your money. When my bank holds my money I can send it to anywhere from any place. Using a crypto wallet I now have this file I have to somehow keep safe and with me at all times. What happens when or if it gets stolen? Like cash it's gone.

So I understand why people do it. Ease of use typically outshines most security issues. Someone needs to figure out how to strike a better balance.

[nicky0]

Keep a paper or electronic backup at home and/or another safe place.

Also your should protect mobile/app wallet with a passphrase so it is safe if you lose it.