@Lux to register an account and get beyond the "trial account", you do need a phone number. However we've added email for increased security for authentication, so once you have an account you can delete your phone and log in using email one time password.

Additional auth capabilities are in development. (like TOTP 2FA)

RE: 12 words... We've spent much time thinking about adding "vault" custodial option (even have some designs worked on with seedsigner), but the feature would be a ways off. See this blog post from @vindard https://bolt.fun/story/on-how-we-get-to-self-custodial-custodians--920