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Consider self custody amid crypto market fear

Crypto Market Anxiety | Fear Grows Over Exchange Stability Amid Withdrawal Delays

By

Liam O'Connor

Feb 5, 2026, 10:36 PM

Updated

Feb 6, 2026, 02:59 AM

2 minutes reading time

A person holding a hardware wallet while looking at a computer screen displaying a declining crypto market graph.

As crypto markets tumble, worries about fund safety on exchanges intensify. People report annoying withdrawal delays and question the resilience of their trading platforms as prices drop. With a spotlight on previous exchange failures, many are now debating the merits of self-custody.

Withdrawal Woes Keep Mounting

Reports of unusually long wait times for withdrawals are piling up. One person recounted waiting more than an hour to withdraw a small amount, stating,

"Honestly, this is the longest Iโ€™ve ever waited for a withdrawal from this exchange."

Frustration simmers as experiences mirror issues from past collapses like FTX. Users are increasingly considering whether exchanges can be trusted.

The Case for Self-Custody Gains Traction

The call for self-custody is gaining momentum on forums. While many acknowledge certain exchanges might still be reliable, the risks are too high. As one commentator pointed out,

"You should always keep your crypto in self-custody."

Amid fears of another situation like FTX, numerous users emphasize that many platforms were not holding usersโ€™ funds 1-to-1, heightening loss risks.

One user succinctly noted the situation:

"Every bear market sees at least one top exchange fail. Better safe than sorry."

Market Impact and Sentiment

With the volatility in mind, strategies on user boards are changing. Some draw attention to the challenges of leveraged trading. A commenter stated,

"Exchanges offering leveraged trading will cash in during downturns."

As withdrawal requests increase, fears are being voiced about the potential for a bank run.

To capture this sentiment, one user remarked,

"If funds aren't backed 1-to-1, issues are just around the corner."

Key Insights

  • โ—‰ Many users are facing significant delays in withdrawal times from various exchanges.

  • โ–ฝ A strong movement pushes for self-custody as a safer alternative.

  • โœ… "You are doing it right!" โ€“ encouraging more people to consider self-custody.

As turmoil continues, the call for safer asset management solutions in crypto becomes clearer. With experts forecasting a possible banking scenario for exchanges if trends persist, many are feeling the heat to adapt. Will the current exchanges survive this downturn? Only time will tell.