[notch656a]

Storing a 12/13 word string in your head for a cold wallet puts it into territory a lot closer to a bank account, and in the US normally words in your head can't be seized via court order (there are some exceptional circumstances, but they're far more limited than freezing bank accounts).

[Closi]

I think it's closer to hiding a pile of money personally.

The security is based on you remembering a 12 word string or geolocation, and the string/geolocation can't be siezed via court order (other than exceptional circumstances, or by finding the location/keys).

The 'storage' in both instances is decentralised. If you forget your 12 word string or geolocation, you lose your money.

Banks on the other hand:

* Provide convenient and safe access

* Will invest your money (in exchange for interest).

* Allow you to reset your credentials if they are forgotten (by proving identity)

* Are centralised

[notch656a]

Clearly the advantages and disadvantages have both overlapping and mutually exclusive elements. For this reason It makes sense to me that some may choose to diversify their holdings by taking advantage of both. To me relying fully on the bank doesn't seem safe at all, as the IRS and other agencies have been known to arbitrarily seize accounts based on absurd claims of 'structuring' even for sub 10k deposits [0]. Crypto is volatile, and you can forget your seed string, but nearly impossible to seize if appropriate precautions taken. Local value like land/durable goods retain value largely as long as you can defend them by force, but are poor choices when fleeing.

As time moves on it's clear to me all these assets are becoming important members of the financial landscape. If crypto were merely a degraded version of the dollar, then I don't think so many people would use.

[0] https://ij.org/report/seize-first-question-later/