What is a crypto wallet?

The following statements do not constitute investment advice or any other advice on financial services, financial instruments, financial products, or digital assets. They are intended to provide general information. The following statements do not constitute an offer to conclude a contract for the purchase or sale of financial instruments and financial products or an invitation to submit such an offer and to buy or sell any particular digital asset. Cryptocurrencies are subject to high fluctuations in value. A decline in value or a complete loss are possible at any time. The loss of access to data and passwords can also lead to a complete loss.

If you’re planning on getting into crypto, before you decide which currencies to invest in, you’ll need to set up your crypto wallet. This is where you’ll organize your crypto portfolio. Each wallet comes with a private key that allows you—and only you—to access the wallet’s contents. But setting up your wallet isn’t just about socking away any Bitcoin or Ethereum you may buy on an exchange. It also allows you to securely send and receive these and other types of cryptocurrencies.

There are different types of crypto wallets available, including mobile apps and wallets that look like USB sticks. Although there is some variation, most function in a similar way by storing private key pairings that allow you to sync your wallet across multiple devices to send and receive cryptocurrency. 

You should definitely know how to use and set up a crypto wallet before you make your first cryptocurrency purchase. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how cryptocurrency wallets work and how to choose the best one for you.

Broadly speaking, crypto wallets come in either software or hardware forms. Though each kind functions a bit differently, they are all designed to allow you to securely access any cryptocurrency you own. 

It’s important to note that a crypto wallet does not hold any actual cryptocurrency. Instead, it holds the public and private key information needed to carry out crypto transactions. The cryptocurrency itself is stored on a blockchain—a type of digital ledger that serves as the basis for how many decentralized cryptocurrencies work.

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Crypto wallets generally use two types of keys: public keys and private keys.

Public keys operate in a similar way to your bank account number. A public key is a long string of random nu

mbers that can be shared with a third party, such as a cryptocurrency exchange, without compromising the security of your wallet. This key allows you to receive cryptocurrency in transactions—oftentimes by using a wallet address, which is essentially a compressed version of the wallet’s public key.

Private keys, on the other hand, should always be kept private. A private key allows you to access the actual cryptocurrency on the blockchain. So if someone has access to your private keys, it’s as good as having access to the crypto in your wallet. 

To send cryptocurrency to another wallet is relatively simple. Once you know the recipient’s wallet address, you can open your crypto wallet, select how much crypto you want to send, and send it to that address. 

As noted above, crypto wallets can generally be divided into two categories: software and hardware. But there are actually a number of different wallet types that fall into those general categories. 

Let’s take a look at the three most popular types of crypto wallet.

Hosted wallets are simple and easy to set up, which explains their popularity. These wallets are “hosted” directly on the exchange where you buy your crypto, so you may sometimes hear them referred to as “exchange wallets.” If you’ve ever bought cryptocurrency on an exchange like Coinbase or Kraken and kept that crypto on the exchange, you’ve already used a hosted wallet. 

With a hosted wallet, the crypto exchange typically holds on to your private key for you. This private information is kept and accessed online, which makes it potentially vulnerable to hackers. Hosted wallets may also be limited in their uses, and you may not be able to execute certain crypto transactions—such as buying an NFT —with crypto that’s in a hosted wallet. On the plus side, forgetting your password is usually not a problem, because the exchange has ways to help you retrieve that data. 

A non-custodial wallet allows you to have complete control over your crypto, with no third-party involvement. These software wallets generally offer more freedom and features than hosted wallets. For example, if you’re interested in buying NFTs or staking cryptos—a process in which your crypto supports a blockchain network and earns rewards for doing so—you may want to consider a non-custodial wallet. 

With a non-custodial wallet, your cryptocurrencies can be accessed using a private key that’s in your control. Since you’re the only one managing the private key, it’s important to keep safe. If you forget or lose your key, you won’t be able to access your cryptos. And if your key becomes known to someone else, the contents of your wallets may be in danger.

Hardware wallets, also known as “cold wallets” or “cold storage wallets,” are physical devices. They tend to look similar to a USB stick. Your private key for accessing your cryptocurrency on a blockchain is stored on this device. 

Since a hardware wallet isn’t connected to the internet and exists in physical form, it’s considered by many to be the safest way to store cryptocurrency. A hacker halfway around the world has no way of accessing your crypto without this device in hand.

There are a couple downsides to hardware wallets. For one, popular offerings from companies such as Ledger and Trezor can be quite expensive. And though losing your wallet isn’t the end of the world, you will need a recovery seed to regain access to your crypto. Losing your recovery seed means you’re pretty much out of luck. 

There are several types of software crypto wallets that you can access on your computer or mobile devices. Which one is best for you depends on your personal situation, but here’s a breakdown of some common types.

Desktop wallets are apps that run on your computer and store cryptocurrencies. There is no third party involved, so you are responsible for the security. For this reason, you’ll probably want to have antivirus software installed on any computer where you’re using a desktop wallet.

A mobile wallet is a crypto wallet app that lets you store and control your cryptos on your smartphone. Available on iOS and Android, these are convenient for face-to-face payments. Many mobile wallets also use QR codes, which can be scanned for quick transactions.

This online-based crypto wallet can be accessed via desktop or mobile, allowing you to store and send crypto from anywhere. However, since your passwords are kept on online servers, there’s an increased risk of theft.

To set up a crypto wallet, you’ll need to enter your personal information and set up a security password. Similar to banking security, there is usually a two-step verification process to go through to set up your cryptocurrency wallet. 

Non-custodial crypto wallets usually require some kind of app. You shouldn’t need to store any personal information or even give an email, but it’s important to record your private key in a safe place. If you lose or forget this key, you won’t be able to access your cryptos.

As mentioned above, the most popular hardware crypto wallets are produced by Ledger and Trezor. Though hardware wallets can be pricey, it’s a good idea to only buy a hardware wallet from a verified seller and avoid the second-hand market altogether. After you’ve purchased the device, you’ll need to download the software to accompany it from the official company website.

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The best crypto wallet for you will depend on your level of experience and previous activity with cryptocurrencies. The main areas to consider include:

• Security. Traditional banking apps offer a range of security options to protect your money. Each crypto wallet will have slightly different security aspects, so you should check these carefully before putting your trust—and money—into them. 
• Fees. How transaction fees are charged can vary. They can be automatically set to make transactions quicker, but if you want to cut costs, some crypto wallets allow you to customize each fee. Just be aware that this can slow down transaction times.
• Cryptocurrencies. Some crypto wallets offer a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, while others are more limited. Think about how often you might need to swap between currencies, as this will guide you on the level of capability you need.
• Customer support. Some companies offer 24/7 support as part of their service. Always review the level of support you get, as it can vary greatly in terms of response times and the type of queries they deal with.
• Access. Where and when you trade cryptocurrencies should guide you on which crypto wallet to use. If you’re using a computer regularly, you might want to look at hardware and desktop wallets. For those who need to be more mobile, smartphone apps and browser-based wallets might be more suitable.

As with any banking service, finding the right crypto wallet for your needs is important, so take some time to find the one that works best for you.