Crypto Wallets

What is a Crypto Wallet?

So you’re interested in buying your first crypto from your friend, and you get hit by the query, “What’s your crypto wallet address?” Any idea what you’ll say? Lucky you! dappGambl got your back. We’ve been there, and we know how that feels.

You probably own, have owned, or come across a real-world physical wallet before, right? Wallets are used to store money safely and give us easy access to our funds whenever we need to make payments.

Crypto wallets are not so different. They are programs or software developed to receive, send, secure and keep digital currencies. The only difference between crypto wallets and your physical one is that while the latter holds FIAT money, the former stores digital money and only transacts when connected to the internet.

As demand changes, developers are starting to create wallets with additional functions such as inbuilt exchanges where you can trade and swap tokens.

DeFi wallets are another example of wallets with extra features; they allow you to earn more value for your money by offering investment opportunities in the decentralized finance ecosystem. They also give users access to NFTs and other Web3 functions.

Does this sound interesting? It’s going to get even better as you keep reading.

Best Bitcoin and Crypto Wallets Compared

1. Ledger Nano X:- Best Offline Wallets for Beginners.
2. Coinbase Wallet:– Best Hot Wallet for Beginners
3. Trezor Model One:– Best Low-Cost Hardware Blockchain Wallet
4. Exodus Wallet:- Best Desktop Blockchain Wallet
5. Coinomi Wallet:- Best Hot Wallet for Anonymous Transactions

Ranked: Our Crypto Wallet Reviews – Top 5

1. Ledger Nano X

Competitive Edge: We selected this wallet as the best hardware wallet for cold crypto storage because it’s highly secure, supports many coins and dApps, and is beginner-friendly.

Ledger Nano X is a product of the French Ledger company. It mainly expands on the achievements of the Ledger Nano S, the company’s pioneer offline crypto wallet. Its main idea is to be the safest and most user-friendly cold storage crypto wallet. It achieves its robust security through something called a “secure element,” a security chip commonly used to safeguard the integrity of high-end credit cards and passports.

Apart from that, the wallet stores your money offline away from hackers. An AES 256-bit encryption protects all communication and data. It supports 100 dApps and at least 5,500 cryptocurrencies, including prominent ones like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin cash, Stellar, XRP, and Ethereum. You can carry it anywhere you go because it’s highly portable and comes with a built-in battery that lasts up to 8 hours on standby and 6 hours on full use. That’s pretty much better than some mobile phones.

Besides, it works perfectly with Mac and Windows PCs and iOS and Android mobile devices. Additional features include Bluetooth connectivity, a Ledger Live app, an in-built crypto exchange, and FIDO U2F (2FA). We found out during our research that the wallet can also be used for lending and staking to increase the value of your crypto.

You will need at least $149 to buy a Ledger Nano X wallet. We recommend purchasing this device directly from the source.

2. Coinbase Wallet

The Coinbase crypto exchange is one of the most popular and largest exchanges available. But did you know that the company behind the exchange also has a crypto wallet?

The Coinbase wallet is a native digital coin wallet of Coinbase.com. It was built to offer an easy and secure storage solution for beginners in the crypto industry space.

If you don’t have a budget for a hardware wallet and are still in the early stages of the crypto investment journey, the Coinbase wallet is the safest and most user-friendly virtual coin storage solution for you.

It’s a non-custodial wallet where users have full custody of their wallet’s security keys and are responsible for their funds’ security. In that case, hackers have nothing to gain even if they breach the company’s security because the Coinbase wallet company doesn’t hold user funds.

The hot wallet can be accessed directly from a web browser or a PC and mobile app. Although it’s related to the Coinbase exchange, they operate independently, and you don’t need to sign up with the exchange to own a Coinbase wallet and vice versa. Users can store at least 500 coins in this wallet, including ERC20 tokens and layer two tokens like Polygon. Besides, the platform is also compatible with NFTs and other collectibles. Remember to activate your 2FA and never share your secret keys with anyone.

3. Trezor Model One

Here is another hardware wallet you must know about if you mean business when it comes to the security of your digital currencies. The Trezor Model One is a legendary offline crypto storage solution; perhaps we should call it the father of hardware wallets.

Trezor Model One was launched in early 2014 as the first hardware wallet to hit the crypto industry. The developer, SatoshiLabs, is well known and respected as a reliable security firm in finance and digital money.

Trezor Model One has grown to become the most popular wallet, having been distributed to more than 150 countries, with total sales of 4,000,000+. What we love most about this product is that despite being the oldest, it remains one of the most advanced yet easy-to-use crypto storage wallets

Installation is easy as pie and won’t last for more than five minutes as the wallet comes partially ready. Use this device to store and transact over 1200 coins, including the latest trending safety coins like Monero and Zchash. Of course, all popular digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are part of this package. iOS and Chrome OS users might not prefer the Trezor wallet as it doesn’t work with their devices.

When it comes to security, the wallet comes with a 2FA for enhanced security. Of course, the Ledger Nano X is much safer since it’s double-chipped, unlike the Trezor, which uses a single security chip. Trezor Model One, however, boasts a spotless security history. That is why we can comfortably vouch for it.

It’s the best option for low-budget clients. You will get the Trezor Model One offline wallet and all its premium features at only $69, almost 70% lower than the Ledger Nano X.

4. Exodus Wallet

Ever heard of the Exodus wallet? Don’t worry about the “Exodus” name. The wallet’s not going anywhere with your money. It’s just a fancy name in our view, or maybe they have personal reasons for choosing that name. Who knows? Exodus is a non-custodial hot wallet like the Coinbase wallet. It’s free, so here’s a chance to make the most of it.

The wallet supports Windows, Linux, and Mac PCs. Functionality is also available across both iOS and Android devices.

The desktop version of this wallet has been rated the best by its users. In terms of assets, Exodus wallet accepts up to virtual coins across seven independent blockchain networks. NFT lovers are also covered through the Exodus wallet marketplace. Besides, it’s fitted with an inbuilt exchange, so you won’t have to incur the costs of buying and selling your crypto on a third-party platform. What’s more, you don’t have to let your money sit idle in your wallet.

The platform has interest-earning and staking products you can explore to grow your money. Although the company has a clean security reputation, we were a little bit cast down to find out that such a premium and highly sought-after wallet didn’t have a 2FA security feature. Thank goodness that shortcoming is quickly compensated by the platform’s ability to integrate with hardware wallets like the Trezor and Ledger.

5. Coinomi Wallet

Last but not least, we bring you the Coinomi wallet, which almost sounds like “Coins know me” wallet. It’s an intuitive and easy-to-use wallet even for first-timers. Coinomi wallet entered the market in 2014 as one of the earliest crypto storage solutions and has remained reputable due to its emphasis on security and privacy. Coinomi has an anonymization feature to protect users’ IP addresses and give them a high level of privacy and anonymity. Besides, you are not required to submit KYC verification documents.

Unlike Coinbase and Exodus wallets, this platform accepts a whopping 1770+ cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum-based tokens and collectibles like NFTs. Perhaps some hackers have tried to bypass Coinomi’s security in the past, but there is no record of anyone who succeeded in hacking it. This is part of why we couldn’t leave it out of our top five list.

Wallet owners have complete control of their funds through encrypted private keys. Not even the Coinomi company operator can access or steal your money.

To cater to its broad user base, the wallet is available in 25 languages, including Chinese, English, Russian, Spanish, and French. The Coinomi support team is on standby 24/7, ready to help you solve any issues you may encounter while using the platform. Like the Exodus wallet, you can access various Web3 features and dApps from this wallet and participate in revenue-earning activities such as staking.

How do I Choose the Right Crypto Wallet for Me?

Are you confused about which wallet to go for from our list of top five crypto wallets? Well, that’s expected, considering each of the wallets we discussed has gone the extra mile to stand out as the best solution for different crypto needs. Of course, you own more than one wallet.

It always helps to have a hardware and custodial hot wallet. If you are just starting out, however, you may only want to get a single wallet that best serves your needs. So let’s make it easy for you. You need to ask yourself the following questions to choose wisely.

What are my top specs?

By now, you are aware that every wallet you come across will have additional unique functionalities apart from the apparent crypto storage feature. So start by listing down the most important elements of a digital coin wallet based on the activities you want to engage in beyond buying digital coins. For example, an in-built exchange will be a must-have in any wallet you pick if you want to day trade. Similarly, investors seeking to grow their funds need a platform with built-in earning features such as lending and staking.

What do I want to trade?

We presented to you the best crypto wallets in the industry, so you can be sure they accept most of the prominent coins. However, with new tokens being launched daily, it’s possible that some of the virtual currencies you want to trade are not supported by some wallets. For example, newer tokens like Zcash and Monero are not commonly accepted in some crypto wallets. Therefore, it’s necessary to include the cryptocurrencies you may want to trade in the future to go for an all-inclusive wallet.

What will be the frequency of my trading?

Different wallets will suit you best, depending on how often you’ll be trading. For example, if you intend to take advantage of the short-term crypto movement to make money, you need a wallet that can offer you the flexibility to jump in and out of the market. That can only be a hot wallet with an inbuilt exchange. On the other hand, if you plan to hold your crypto long-term, it would be best to pick a hardware wallet and have your funds safe in cold storage. In that case, you’ll only focus on choosing between Ledger Nano X and Trezor Model One if you are considering our list of top five crypto wallets.

What’s my starting capital?

The fact that anyone can trade crypto, and there is no standard amount to start with means the industry attracts investors of different financial capabilities. If you are starting small, you may not have the necessary budget for a hardware wallet like the Ledger Nano X. Besides, it will be pointless to store, say, $10 in such a high-value device. However, you can definitely afford the best offline wallet if you plan to go big on crypto investment. It’s also the safest option available, so better spend on security than be sorry.

What to Look for in a Crypto Wallet?

Having asked yourself the questions in the previous section and narrowed it down to just two or three options, here are essential pointers to look for to make your final decision.

• Customer support:

Any crypto wallet provider that cares about clients must provide a reliable support channel. Depending on your level of experience in the digital coin industry and the amount of money you will be transacting. You may want to stick with only those wallets that have a 24/7 support channel. Live chat always works well. Alternatives like dedicated support emails or phone numbers should suffice. It may not be possible to tell how good the support team of a crypto wallet provider is, but you can always shoot them an email with some questions and gauge how fast and accurately they respond. This might seem cumbersome, but it doesn’t get close to the pain of losing your hard-earned money due to a mediocre customer care department.

• Compatibility:

Bitcoin was launched as a payment solution meant to replace FIAT. Over time we have seen new blockchain networks with varying use cases and the development of protocols such as DeFi. We now have a digital coin sector that’s highly symbiotic. So you should consider getting an interoperable wallet if you wish to experience the full power of blockchain technology. Some things to consider are Bluetooth compatibility for hardware wallets and hardware wallet support for hot wallets.

• Cryptos supported:

Generally, the higher the number of cryptos a wallet supports, the better it is. That said, it’s essential to be conscious that some virtual coin storage platforms may accept a high number of tokens yet fail to include your favourite. As mentioned earlier, not every other crypto wallet you come across accepts your preferred cryptocurrencies. Digital coins are a software product and can only be supported by storage platforms with relevant software compatibility.

• Interface:

By now, you have checked the most important features for crypto wallet selection, but don’t you also want a luxurious platform that gives you a coveted sense of tranquillity when transacting? Don’t you want a beautifully organized wallet interface that’s easy to use? You definitely wouldn’t leave any of these out and much more if presented with the option to choose. The best crypto wallets are user-friendly even for beginners and easily accessible.

How do Crypto Wallets Work?

Crypto wallets primarily enable users to perform the following functions:

• Receive crypto
• Send crypto
• Store crypto
• View and manage their crypto portfolio

They exist in many forms such as mobile wallets, desktop wallets, physical hardware wallets, and web-based wallets. That notwithstanding, they all work in a similar manner. Every new crypto wallet generates two types of keys, private and public keys. These are usually long alphanumeric strings that authorize blockchain transactions.

Public keys are like your bank account number. They can be shared with anyone freely, and one must have them to send you money. However, once the funds have been sent your way, you need to verify that you’re the new owner.

At this point, only your valid private keys will save the day. Keep in mind that every public key has a specific private key attached and can’t be interchanged. Think of private keys as your Internet banking PIN for your traditional bank account. No wonder it’s called “Private.”

Anyone who gains access to your private keys can fully control your money. Luckily, some mobile wallet developers have updated their crypto storage products with sophisticated encryption to protect users from losing their private keys.

Similarly, any time you move money out of your wallet, whether sending it to someone or paying for a purchase, the crypto transaction must be signed and authorized using your private keys.

What are the Different Types of Crypto Wallets?

You’ll come across a lot of jargon describing different types of crypto wallets. This could easily confuse you if you have not mastered your way around. Crypto wallets fall into varying categories depending on how you organize them. For example, when differentiated by ownership, digital coin wallets are either custodial or non-custodial. They can further be broken down into hot and cold wallets. On the same note, cold wallets can come as hardware or paper wallets. Now that you are familiar with this grouping let’s dive deeper into each of these terms for a better understanding.

Custodial Wallets

As it sounds, you give full custody of your crypto to the wallet provider by allowing them to control your private keys. One is only left with a password to access and manipulate their wallet. If the wallet provider’s server is hacked, clients can lose significant amounts of money.

Non-Custodial wallets

Non-custodial wallets are the opposite of custodial wallets. Instead of the wallet provider being the custodian of your funds, you keep your own private keys and are fully responsible for the safety of your coins. This is way safer than custodial wallets. Hacking the wallet provider isn’t helpful since such companies don’t store their clients’ private keys.

Hot Wallets/ Software Wallets

Hot wallets sometimes referred to as software wallets, are programs or applications meant to store your crypto online. They can be web-based or downloadable on your phone or PC. The common denominator is that the wallets remain connected to the internet. Hot wallets that double up as custodial wallets provide easy food for hackers. Software wallets can come as:

• Desktop Wallets:

These are applications you download and install on your PC to manage your crypto portfolio. The Exodus wallet is one of the best desktop crypto wallets today.

• Mobile Wallets:

Mobile wallets don’t differ from their PC counterparts, except they are downloaded and installed on your Android or iOS mobile device. Non-custodial mobile wallets store private keys in the user’s phone.

• Online wallets:

These hot wallets run on the internet 24/7 and are based on web platforms (websites-run). They are the most convenient because one can access them from any device as long there is an internet connection. The flip side is that they are the most vulnerable to security breaches.

Cold Wallets

Cold storage crypto wallets are the platinum standard when it comes to securing digital coins. They have no direct internet connection. The wallets store your money offline by keeping private keys out of the internet. Cold wallets are commonly referred to many as hardware wallets, although this is not entirely true because paper wallets also fall into this category. Below is a detailed explanation

• Hardware Wallets:

Hardware wallets such as Keepkey Wallet are a type of cold wallet. They come in the form of USB drive devices. Their features vary depending on the manufacturer. These wallets stay offline throughout, but you must connect them to a PC or mobile device whenever you want to transact. You will need to take some money out of your pocket if you’re interested in these wallets since they come at different purchase prices. They can be replaced when lost or damaged, hence considered the safest crypto storage option.

• Paper Wallets:

Paper wallets are offline crypto storage solutions where users simply print the private and public keys on paper. Transactions are initiated using a QR code. The most popular paper wallets are Bitcoin Paper Wallet and MyEtherWallet. Paper wallets are slowly waning off in the face of their hardware counterparts.

How to Set Up a Crypto Wallet?

You can set up your crypto wallet in many ways depending on the type of wallet. The processes might also differ slightly even for wallets in the same category.

How to Use a Crypto Wallet?

Now that you know how to set up crypto wallets and how they work, it will be relatively easy for you to use these wallets. You only need two things to send crypto, the receiver’s address (their public key) and your wallet access (private keys).

When you send money to someone, you are assigning new ownership to the coin by transferring them to a new public key. The sender confirms and completes the transaction by accessing the coins using their private keys, proving that they are the legitimate owners of the coins.

Similarly, you can receive funds by sharing your wallet address with the sender. Always double-check crypto wallet addresses before making payments because blockchain transactions are permanent and irreversible.

How to Keep Your Crypto Wallet Safe?

Crypto wallet developers always go the extra mile to ensure their platforms are safe for crypto storage. However, hackers can still find ways of breaching these wallets’ security using sophisticated tools and methods. We have compiled a list of the top things you can do to keep your crypto wallets safe and reduce the chances of losing your money.

Using offline storage:

Hot wallets are easier to compromise since they stay connected to the internet 24/7. Keep in mind that even when you log out of your wallet, it remains connected through the host’s servers. If you must use a hot wallet, we recommend one that supports a hardware storage device. That way, you can always transfer your idle money to cold storage. Hackers have no way of stealing from you when your money is kept away from the internet.

Extra Security Layers:

We recommend activating all security layers of your wallet to maintain optimum security standards at all times. Features such as biometric access and 2FA can add a robust security layer to your wallet, making it hard for unscrupulous persons to steal from you.

Change your password frequently:

One way hackers gain access to crypto wallets is by figuring out a user’s password through activities such as phishing and keylogging. By continually changing your PIN, you lock out anyone who has figured out your password and is just waiting for the right time to strike. Make sure to use an alphanumeric password that’s not less than eight digits long.

Stick to secure internet connections:

Stick to secure network connections such as home WiFi or office internet, if you trust it. Free things are good, and that’s perhaps why restaurants and amusement parks offer free WiFi to their clients. Unfortunately, as a crypto user, public WiFi is not an option for accessing your wallet. Hackers can quickly view your info and steal from you in a matter of minutes.

Safe Storage:

Hardware wallets are not resistant to damage. So always keep them in a safe place. You may need to get a safety vault for storing hardware wallets and secret security phrases for your non-custodial wallets.

What to do if You Lose Your Crypto Wallet?

The answer to this question depends on the type of wallet you own. If you have lost a hot wallet, meaning you no longer have access, you may reset the password or contact support as soon as possible. You may recover your wallet, but the chances of your money being permanently stolen could be high if someone else stole your details.

For non-custodial wallets, however, there is nothing you can do if you lose your recovery phrases. Not even the wallet provider can help. If you lose a hardware wallet, you will have to dig deep into your pocket and purchase another one. Use your recovery phrases to restore your wallets and money.

Recovery phrases are encrypted private keys and are the only way to restore your wallet and money. So if you were wondering how to recover your crypto wallet, you now know what to do. Always keep your seed phrases safe and never lose them.

How We Chose the best Crypto Wallets?

Summary

We hope you got answers to any questions you might have had about crypto wallets before reading this article.

Just to recap:

• Every crypto user needs a crypto wallet for storage of digital coins.
• Virtual coin wallets can be grouped into custodial and non-custodial in terms of ownership. They can be further broken down into hot and cold wallets.
• Hardware wallets are the safest way of storing your cryptos.
• Our top five best crypto wallets are Ledger Nano X, Coinbase wallet, Trezor Model One, Exodus and Coinomi wallets.
• Always keep your private keys safely.

All the best in your crypto journey.

We are here for you.

Feel free to browse other pages to learn more about the different types of wallets discussed on this page.