pixel-chain-story

Self-custody — the rule

Every person holds their own Source. No gateway, helper, or pillar may spend for them.

Law

Actor	May	Must not
Person	Hold optical Personal Source; Kindling; sign	Give seed to a “helpful” app server
Light Pillar	Provide screen/camera for Kindling	Store private keys
SMS / USSD	Balance, status, invite	Authorize spend or hold Source
Helper / co-op	Aim lights, teach ceremony	Sign on behalf of the farmer
Sequencer	Illuminate pixels	Seize people’s UTXOs without their sig

Personal Source (not seed-phrase theater)

Default custody form is an optical maze light card (forgePersonalSource / unlockPersonalSource):

1. Forge once — light vault encodes the Source seed
2. Print it, keep it on a phone, bury the pattern — your choice
3. Unlock by shining/capturing that light when you Kindling
4. Presence Seal + your signature → settle

No English 12-word ritual required. No telco custodial balance.

Uptake without betrayal

Primitive doors exist so people can enter. They branch toward Kindling + Personal Source — they do not replace self-custody with M-Pesa cosplay.