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Cryptocurrency wallets, also known as crypto wallets, are necessary tools for trading, purchasing, and selling cryptocurrency. Traders require crypto wallets to securely store their funds as well as to protect and validate transaction details.
There are various sorts of crypto wallets on the market today; they can be hardware or software, and each one has its own level of security, methods of keeping your private keys, and so on. They both have benefits and drawbacks that can be utilized to determine which crypto wallet is ideal for you.
1. Coinbase Wallet
Pros
- Fast and easy to set up
- Has considerably better security than crypto wallets of its time
- The wallet has advanced capabilities for providing access as well as restricting access to digital financial instruments such as NFTs, altcoins, and stablecoins.
Cons
- Only supports bitcoin trading
- Has no customer support
- The wallet may act as a hosted wallet by storing the private keys elsewhere.
FUNDING METHODS
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
500+
COUNTRIES
To begin with, the Coinbase wallet is the best wallet for novices with little to no experience with cryptocurrency. The user interface is simple and easy to use, with three tabs and immediately recognized functionalities. The wallet supports connecting to several bank accounts, making it a simple way to deposit funds. Coinbase wallet now supports over 500 crypto assets, as well as NFTs and other digital collectables.
Coinbase wallet is a non-custodial wallet, which means you are solely responsible for securing your own private key because it is not held anywhere else or on Coinbase wallet servers, hence boosting your security. You don’t have to worry about your cryptocurrency being hacked or being vulnerable to cyberattacks on the website with this functionality.
2. Ledger Nano X Wallet
Pros
- Built-in battery which lasts up to eight hours
- Allows users to buy Bitcoin with Apple devices
- 24/7 customer support
- Bluetooth which can be accessed with Android and Apple devices
Cons
- High transaction fees on the in-wallet crypto exchange
- Lack of native 2FA which may bother some users
- It May be perceived as less secure if you lose the device
FUNDING METHODS
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
1800+
COUNTRIES
Ledger is one of the most well-known brands of offline wallets. Its initial rise can be attributed to its first wallet, the Ledger Nano S, a device that, despite its simple design, is packed with features and security due to its status as an offline wallet. The Ledger Nano X is Ledger’s newest hardware, with new features that aim to build on the success of the previous model. Built-in battery, Bluetooth connectivity, and app support for iOS devices are among the new features.
The most advanced model of the brand, the Ledger Nano X, is currently priced at $119 and supports over 1800 coins and tokens, including ERC20, ERC721, TRC10, TRC20, BEP2, NEP5, and SOL.
The app allows the user to manage 100 tokens and coins at the same time, and it is compatible with over 50 wallets. Its Bluetooth can be turned off at any time, effectively extending its battery life. Also, Ledger devices employ a “secure element,” which provides greater resistance to physical attacks and malware, resulting in improved security over other wallets.
3. Crypto.com Wallet
Pros
- Low trading fees with discounts available
- An extensive list of supported cryptocurrencies
- High staking yield
Cons
- No crypto-to-crypto trading
- Fees for credit and debit purchases are relatively high
FUNDING METHODS
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
180
COUNTRIES
Crypto.com is a well-known cryptocurrency exchange that offers a wide range of crypto assets and blockchain-related products. In addition to 180 different cryptocurrencies that users can buy, sell, and trade, the company also provides cryptocurrency credit cards, a decentralized exchange, a standalone wallet, and an NFT marketplace, all with significantly lower trading fees. It also allows users to stake their cryptocurrency, keep it in the wallet for a set period of time, and earn up to 14.5 per cent interest annually.
Customers can access Crypto.com’s services primarily through its mobile applications, which are available for both Android and iOS devices. The app allows you to quickly view your portfolio as well as a list of other popular assets. The mobile app contains everything you need to trade currencies, earn through staking, make payments, and apply for a Crypto.com credit card.
To keep customer accounts safe, Crypto.com employs a variety of security measures, including multi-factor authentication and whitelisting. Though it has strong security, it is also recommended that you have a strong password and use online security practices to further protect your account.
4. Kraken
Pros
- Low non-instant buy fees
- Advanced trading platform
- High Security with 2FA
- High staking interests
Cons
- Extremely high buy fees
- High minimums in fees
FUNDING METHODS
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
110+
COUNTRIES
Kraken is a market-leading cryptocurrency wallet that boasts top security and a history of never experiencing a hack or loss of user funds. Kraken provides an advanced order system and trading tools, such as a variety of stop-loss and profit-taking order types, leverage and margin-based trading, automated strategy trading, and over 110 cryptocurrencies to trade in, as well as a simple user interface, making Kraken one of the easiest but most efficient crypto wallets to use.
With a verified Kraken account, you can quickly buy cryptocurrency with fiat from a linked bank account, and you can also sell or trade currencies in your account. Kraken also boasts high staking interests, which can reach up to 23 percent. Your account can be further secured by enabling 2FA, which prevents anyone from logging in without your device and a randomly generated code.
5. Zengo
Pros
- Smooth user interface
- Convenient trading within the app
- Earn interests without locking up crypto
Cons
- Some features aren’t available to some supported countries
- Have to store keyless recovery on other storage
- A low number of cryptocurrencies
FUNDING METHODS
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
70+
COUNTRIES
Zengo is a relatively new wallet, having launched in January 2018, but it stands out for its feature-rich UI and simple design. Unlike traditional wallet security, Zengo replaces the use of private keys or seed phrases with two independently mathematical secret shares – one on your mobile device and the other on their servers. Because the wallet does not have its own password, the risk of losing funds due to a lost password is zero.
Zengo currently supports over 70 tokens and coins, which you can buy and sell directly within its app, making it more convenient for its users. Zengo also has an “earning tab” where, unlike staking, you can earn up to 4% without locking your coins and tokens in for a set period of time.
6. Ledger Nano S
Pros
- Affordable hardware wallet
- Private keys are always in the device
- Supports well over 1100 coins and tokens
Cons
- Small display
- No Bluetooth connection and requires a USB cable to connect to computer or android devices
FUNDING METHODS
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
1100+
COUNTRIES
The Ledger Nano S, like its predecessor, is a hardware wallet with high-end security built-in via a secure chip. It’s a non-custodial wallet that gives investors complete control over their private keys, making it less vulnerable to malware attacks. The Ledger Nano S supports over 1100 cryptocurrencies and tokens but cannot store fiat currencies, unlike its predecessor, which supports over 1800 cryptocurrencies and tokens.
The retail price of the Ledger Nano S is $59, which is $60 less than the previous model. As the lower price implies, the Ledger Nano S has fewer features than the X, such as no Bluetooth connection, no built-in battery, and incompatibility with iOS devices. Despite being an outdated model, it is still a great starting hardware wallet due to its low cost and high security.
7. Trezor Model T
Pros
- Top-notch security
- Touchscreen user interface
- Wide variety of crypto assets
Cons
- Bulky
- Expensive
FUNDING METHODS
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
1200+
COUNTRIES
Trezor is a leading company in the field of cold wallets or hardware wallets; while significantly more expensive than its Ledger counterparts, Trezor offers a variety of models with far more features. One of them is the Trezor Model T, which has a large touchscreen in full colour, which the Ledger Nano X lacks. While more expensive, retailing around $200, it provides roughly the same level of security as the Ledger Nano X but gives its users far more power.
Trezor Model T supports over 1200 different coins and tokens, as well as direct transactions of BTC and ETH using fiat via the Trezor Wallet app, where purchased assets can be exchanged within the wallet app. Fees on the wallet vary depending on where you send it and how many coins you send.
8. Trezor Model One
Pros
- Affordable
- Supports over 1000 cryptocurrencies
- Wide compatibility with Windows, MacOS, Linux, and Android
Cons
- No support for iOS
- Not free like software wallets
FUNDING METHODS
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
1000+
COUNTRIES
Trezor Model One is the company’s original wallet, retailing for $55, making it much more affordable than its successor, Trezor Model T. As mentioned in the previous entry, Trezor Model One can be accessed by their application, which can be used to buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly from your wallet. It provides the same level of security as the Model T at a much lower cost.
Customers can freely buy and sell cryptocurrency directly from the wallet within the Trezor Wallet app using the Trezor Model One, which supports over 1000 coins and tokens. You can select different providers that accept different payment methods and have different rates and fees, so prices vary depending on which provider you use.
9. KeepKey
Pros
- Secure wallet
- Cheap price
- Easy to use
Cons
- Supports only 40 assets
- Can be heavy to carry around
FUNDING METHODS
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
40
COUNTRIES
KeepKey, as a hardware wallet, can be used to store various assets without fear of malware attacks. Despite falling short of the two giant competitors, Ledger and Trezor, KeepKey remains one of the top choices for crypto enthusiasts.
KeepKey only supports 40 different digital assets, falling short of Trezor and Ledger, both of which support over 1000 assets. KeepKey, like its competitors, can exchange cryptocurrencies within the wallet, allowing customers to easily trade between cryptocurrencies. KeepKey was originally priced at $239, but due to competition, the price has dropped significantly over the years, and it now only costs $49.
10. Ellipal Titan
Pros
- High security
- Touch screen user interface
- QR codes for data transmission
Cons
- Not compatible with desktop
- Bulky to carry
FUNDING METHODS
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
10 000+
COUNTRIES
Ellipal may not be as well-known as Trezor or Ledger, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a viable option for a hardware wallet. Titan is a model released by the company that closely resembles a smartphone, complete with a touch screen and a rear camera. Not to mention its extremely durable casing, which proves that opening the wallet would result in permanent damage to the device, and will delete private data if a physical breach is detected.
The Ellipal Titan can store over ten thousand different coins and tokens, which can be traded through its iOS and Android apps. One disadvantage of this wallet is that it is not compatible with any desktop computer, which is not a major issue because there is always a phone app.
What is a Crypto Wallet?
If you want to get started with cryptocurrency, the first thing you should be able to do is to create a crypto wallet. A cryptocurrency wallet is where you store and arrange your cryptocurrency investments. Each wallet contains a private key that allows the user – and only the user, unless given to someone else – to access the wallet’s contents. It’s called a wallet because it’s comparable to a physical wallet where you keep cash and cards, but instead of carrying physical objects, it’s encrypted behind each account you create.
- A digital wallet that stores your cryptocurrency keys which in turn allows you to access your coins.
- There are different types of wallets with their own features and different levels of security.
- Most cryptocurrency wallets use a series of words called “seed phrase” as the private key. Anyone who knows it can access the wallet fully.
- Bitcoin is the most popular and widely used cryptocurrency, and almost all cryptocurrency wallets are built upon its blockchain.
How do Crypto Wallets Work?
Crypto wallets are computer or mobile device software apps. They use an internet connection to gain access to the funds stored there. Cryptocurrencies, unlike real money, are pieces of data spread throughout the database, and the wallet finds the bits of data accumulated in your public address and totals up the amount for you in the app interface.
- It can be used for trading - or exchanging crypto-to-crypto or fiat-to-crypto or vice versa.
- Crypto wallets, unlike physical wallets, do not really store your cryptocurrency. Your funds are on the blockchain but can only be accessed using a private key. When you lose your private key, you lose access to your money.
Different Kinds of Crypto Wallets
Crypto wallets come in a variety of forms, each with its own set of currencies. All crypto wallets have the same fundamentals, albeit with different types of securities and supported coins. Let’s take a look at the various types of cryptocurrency wallets, their benefits and drawbacks, and how they work.
1. Online Wallet
As the name implies, online wallets are cryptocurrency wallets that you access through web browsers. Because the private keys reside in your device, these wallets have the least security because they are vulnerable to phishing scams, malware, inside hacking, DDOS attacks, and outdated security measures.
Examples of online wallets are Coins.ph, Metamask, and Ronin.
Pros
- Fast transactions since there is no lag between locations of app and servers.
- Ideal for fast tradings of small amounts of cryptocurrencies.
- The easiest type to manage since a device can access multiple online wallets at once
- Can use third-party apps to increase security
Cons
- Private keys and coin information is stored with a third party, which puts the wallets at risk of all types of software attacks.
- Least secure type of wallet
2. Mobile Wallet
Mobile wallets are cryptocurrency wallets that can be accessed via mobile devices. They are entirely internet-based but offer more features than other types of wallets. Nonetheless, mobile wallets pose additional security risks.
Pros
- More practical and convenient since mobile devices are on-the-go, which you can use and trade anytime anywhere as long as you have an internet connection.
- Additional features like QR code scanning, which proves to be a more
- Secure type of transferring funds from one wallet to another.
Cons
- Phones have incredibly fragile security. Nothing will save your crypto if your phone has been infected with bugs, not even wallet app encryption.
- Your phone is most prone to malware and viruses.
3. Desktop Wallet
Pros
- Can be used either online or offline
- High security as private keys aren’t stored on a third-party server, instead, you control the encrypted key.
- Convenient if you mainly use your computer for trading as it is safer than online or mobile wallets
Cons
- Less convenient for on-the-go trading and usage since you constantly need to back up your computer.
- Your computer is open to all types of malware attacks.
- If you forget to back your encrypted keys, your wallet is forever lost.
4. Paper wallets
Pros
- Since you have to manually secure the private keys, it’s one of the most hacker-proof crypto wallet choices.
- Private keys aren’t stored on a computer or a third-party server.
Cons
- Securing your printed wallet can be tricky, if you forget what your private keys are, accessing your money will be almost impossible.
5. Hardware wallets
Pros
- Most secure type of crypto wallet.
- Can function either online or offline.
Cons
- It is much more expensive since it’s a completely different device.
- Can be a drag to carry around.
Hardware vs. Software Crypto Wallets
Pros of Using Hardware Wallets
Hardware wallets are designed to eliminate the need to store your private keys on your computer by putting them on another physical device with customized firmware that protects your private keys from being accessed.
The following list summarizes the advantages of hardware wallets over software wallets.
Pros of Using Software Wallets
A software wallet is a program that you install on your computer to gain access to your funds in the blockchain. It is easier to use because it does not require another device to store your private keys, simply the device you are using – desktop or mobile.
The list below provides a summary of the advantages of software wallets over hardware wallets.
What to Look for in a Crypto Wallet
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a cryptocurrency wallet, the following list provides a summary of what to look for in a crypto wallet.
- You must check for the security of the wallet. Consider how safe a wallet is, who runs it, and how long it has been in operation. Finding the greatest security wallet comes first since your money can be jeopardized if you put it in an untrustworthy wallet.
- The number of cryptocurrency coins and tokens it supports. Many wallets allow you to operate with multiple cryptocurrencies from a single wallet, while others are designed just for one cryptocurrency, and other exchanges only accept more mainstream altcoins. To create a more diverse cryptocurrency ecosystem, you must examine how much crypto a wallet supports.
- Crypto-to-crypto., crypto-to-fiat, and fiat-to-crypto. Converting one cryptocurrency to another or to fiat is a very useful function to have incorporated right into your wallet, however, some wallets do not accept crypto exchanges or your fiat currency, so you must check the conversion first before setting up an account.
- Transaction fees. Different wallets charge different percentages of fees per transaction; some are significantly higher than others, so choose one with low transaction fees.
- Platform supports. If you’re a new trader who can only use a single device for crypto, or if you want to use a wallet with numerous devices, you should verify what platforms it supports. There are mobile-only wallets, computer-only wallets, and wallets that support several platforms, so choosing one for convenience is essential.
“Every smart person that I admire in the world, and those I semi-fear, is focused on this concept of crypto for a reason. They understand that this is the driving force of the fourth industrial’’
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Buy a Crypto Wallet?
Which cryptocurrency wallet is best for beginners
What are the best crypto wallets?
- Binance is the best for people with greater familiarity with cryptocurrency and investing option.
- Coinbase for its convenience and easy trading.
- Ledger Nano X and S for its greater security and wide pool of cryptocurrencies.
- Exodus for its wide array of exchange services available for all platforms – desktop, mobile, and hardware crypto wallets.