They didn't exactly deprecate custodial LN. They just stopped hosting the sample LN server because it was too much headache and liability. You can connect bluewallet to getalby, lnbits, and your own self-hosted lightning node running lndhub or a clone thereof. Bluewallet last made a release this July. The self-custody LN is actually available in the latest #bluewallet, it's only hidden behind a developer unlock sequence.

nostr:npub1lxktpvp5cnq3wl5ctu2x88e30mc0ahh8v47qvzc5dmneqqjrzlkqpm5xlc has instructions on how to use it. The following this from his guide: "Bluewallet recently introduced the LDK node option, but is hidden. You will need to click 10 times on the new Lightning Wallet button and will appear the option for LDK node wallet."

https://darthcoin.substack.com/p/lightning-wallets-comparison