Self-Custody Mode is an optional way to hold your KAST USD balance as USDC in an external Solana wallet dedicated to you. You can still use your KAST card, deposits, and withdrawals in the KAST app as normal.
What is Self-Custody Mode?
Self-Custody Mode lets eligible KAST Personal users hold their USD balance as USDC on Solana in a dedicated self-custodial Privy wallet, instead of holding that balance with KAST.
Your balance remains visible in dollars in the KAST app, and you can continue using the app as normal. Your balance is segregated and verifiable on-chain. When you deposit, withdraw, spend with your card, or switch Self-Custody Mode on or off, KAST handles the required behind-the-scenes transfers for that action.
Who can use it?
Self-Custody Mode is available for KAST Personal accounts where the feature has been enabled.
KAST Business accounts are not supported in this version.
What changes when I turn it on?
When Self-Custody Mode is active:
- Your USD balance is sent to an external Solana wallet dedicated to you, where it is held as USDC.
- Your balance is shown in the app as a Self-Custodial Balance.
- You can view and copy your Solana wallet address from the account bottom sheet.
- You can open a block explorer link from the account bottom sheet to verify the wallet on-chain.
- KAST covers gas fees for the transfers required by Self-Custody Mode.
Your card, deposits, and withdrawals continue to work through the KAST app.
Why would I turn this feature on?
You may want to turn on Self-Custody Mode if you prefer your USD balance to be held as USDC in an external Solana wallet dedicated to you, while still using your KAST app and card as normal. It also lets you verify the wallet and balance on-chain from the KAST app.
What does not change?
You can still:
- Spend with your KAST card.
- Deposit using the Receive section of the KAST app.
- Withdraw from your KAST balance.
- Switch Self-Custody Mode off later.
Fees for deposits, withdrawals, and card spending do not change. KAST does not charge a separate fee to enable or disable Self-Custody Mode.
How to enable Self-Custody Mode
To turn it on:
- Go to Settings → Account → Custody.
- Select the Self-Custody Mode toggle.
- Review the disclaimer and consent screen.
- Complete MFA.
- Confirm that you want to enable Self-Custody Mode.
Once enabled, your full eligible balance is moved into your dedicated self-custodial wallet. (Pending deposits, pending withdrawals, or card authorization holds may not move until they clear.)
Why am I being asked to withdraw my Reserve balance?
The Reserve account cannot be used while Self-Custody Mode is active.
If your Reserve account has a balance, you will need to withdraw the entire Reserve balance to your USD virtual account before enabling Self-Custody Mode. Tap Go to accounts, withdraw the full Reserve balance, and then try enabling Self-Custody Mode again once your Reserve balance is $0.
After Self-Custody Mode is active, the Reserve account will be hidden in the app.
Can I switch it off?
Yes. You can switch Self-Custody Mode off from Settings → Account → Custody.
When you turn it off, your balance is transferred back from your self-custodial wallet to the standard custodial setup.
You may not be able to switch it off immediately if there are pending actions, such as open card authorization holds, in-flight transfers, or pending deposits. Once those clear, you can try again.
Are there limits on switching it on and off?
Yes. You can switch Self-Custody Mode on or off up to 3 times per day.
If you reach the daily limit, a 24-hour cooldown applies before you can toggle again.
Will spending or withdrawals pause?
Spending and withdrawals may pause briefly while Self-Custody Mode is being activated or deactivated.
This pause usually happens while your balance is moving between KAST Treasury and your self-custodial wallet. Once the transfer completes, normal activity resumes.
If activation or deactivation takes longer than expected, wait a few minutes and try again.
If activation or deactivation fails, your funds remain safe and the account returns to its previous state.
Can I deposit directly to my self-custody wallet address?
No. Always deposit using the addresses shown in the Receive section of the KAST app.
Do not send funds directly to your self-custody wallet address.
Funds sent directly to the self-custody wallet address will not be credited to your available KAST balance. In this version, those funds will not be usable in the app, will not be allocated to your account, and KAST may be unable to recover or reverse these transfers.
Do I pay gas or network fees?
No. KAST covers all gas costs for every transfer required by Self-Custody Mode.
What happens if activation or deactivation fails?
If activation or deactivation fails:
- Your funds remain safe.
- The account returns to its previous custody state.
- You’ll see a prompt in the KAST app when you can retry.
- Follow the in-app prompt to try again.
Can frozen or blocked accounts use the toggle?
Frozen or blocked accounts cannot change Self-Custody Mode.
If your account has restrictions, the same restrictions apply whether Self-Custody Mode is on or off. Frozen accounts can still withdraw on-chain where available, but blocked accounts are view-only.
Can I export my keys?
Key export is coming soon.
Important reminders
- Self-Custody Mode is optional.
- It is available for KAST Personal only.
- USD is the only supported balance for this version.
- Always deposit through the KAST app, not directly to the wallet address.
- KAST covers all gas costs for required transfers.
- You can switch Self-Custody Mode off later, subject to pending actions and toggle limits.
- This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice.