Key Takeaways:
First things first: Cryptocurrency wallets are not actually ‘wallets’ in the sense that they don’t hold crypto tokens in the same way physical wallets hold cash. Rather, they store users’ public and private keys, and your coins are stored on public blockchain networks instead.
Your public keys are similar to your email address or bank account number. They are open to anyone, and you can share them freely when you wish to receive crypto transactions. On the other hand, your private keys need to be kept and stored secretly. They are what proves your ownership over your public keys, and you should treat it just as you would your email or bank account passwords. A public key is always paired with a corresponding private key, and their combination is used for both data encryption and decryption.
When making cryptocurrency transactions, you are not actually ‘sending’ your crypto transactions from your mobile phone or web browser extension to someone else’s. What you are doing in reality is using your private key to sign transactions and transmit them to blockchain networks, which will then use them to update the balances in both yours and the receiver’s addresses.
Aside from storing users’ keys, crypto wallets also
It is often said that your crypto assets are only as safe as the manner in which you choose to store them. While you can decide to store them on exchanges, it is generally not recommended to do so unless you are a frequent trader or only have a modest amount. For overall security and full control over your keys and crypto, crypto wallets are advised more frequently by crypto pundits.
The different types of crypto wallets can be divided into two major categories:
Hot wallets are crypto wallets connected to the Internet. They are mainly easy to use and highly convenient. Due to these reasons, most popular crypto wallets are ‘hot’. However, they are also prone to hacking and cyberattacks. Hot wallets are usually recommended for beginners and traders due to their quicker learning curves and transactions, but using them to store large amounts of cryptocurrencies is not recommendedcryptocurrencies.
Cold wallets are crypto wallets that are not connected to the Internet. They are considered extremely secure and dramatically reduce the risks to hacking and cyberattacks. At the same time, they also fall on the pricier side, are less convenient, and require more technical knowledge to use them. As such, cold wallets are generally suggested for experienced users looking to hold large amounts of crypto over a long period of time.
The different types of hot wallets include: Desktop Wallets, Mobile Wallets, and Web Wallets.
Desktop wallets are applications that run on your PC or laptop and use encryption to keep your private keys secure. They offer you ownership of your keys, but are also potentially vulnerable to malware.
Similarly, mobile wallets are software programs on your phones that store your private keys and allow you to quickly make crypto transactions with just a phone and an internet connection. However, your holdings are only as secure as your phone.
Web wallets are probably the most popular for crypto newbies. You can access them through a web browser without needing to install any apps. They are very easy to use, but also prone to hacking.
The different types of hot wallets include: Hardware Wallets and Paper Wallets.
Hardware wallets are high-tech and extremely secure. They look and work similar to USB devices and save private keys offline. They can be pricey and challenging to use for beginners, though.
On the flip side, paper wallets are as ancient tech as it gets. They are physical pieces of paper where private keys are either written down or printed. While they are safe from malware or hacks, they can also easily be lost, stolen, or damaged.
While traditional finance (TradFi) has safeguards in place for the protection of users and their funds, things are different in decentralized finance (DeFi). Since the philosophy falls under users having full power over their finances, it should also be noted that – as Uncle Ben famously said – ‘With great power comes great responsibility’.
The importance of taking your finances seriously cannot be stressed enough. Always remember to back up and save all your private keys, seed phrases, and data files in multiple secure locations to prevent losing access to your hard-earned funds.
This material is intended to be of general interest only and should not be construed as individual investment advice or a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell or hold any security or to adopt any investment strategy. It does not constitute legal or tax advice. The views expressed are those of the author and the comments, opinions and analyses are rendered as of the publication date and may change without notice. There is no guarantee that any forecasts or predictions made will come to pass. The information provided in this material is not intended as a complete analysis of all material facts or circumstances regarding any country, region or market. All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal.
Risk management does not imply elimination of risks, and not all investments are suitable for all investors. The information and opinions contained in this material are derived from proprietary and non-proprietary sources deemed by MANTRA to be reliable, are not necessarily all inclusive and are not guaranteed as to accuracy. Data from third party sources has not independently verified, validated or audited. MANTRA accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss arising from use of this information; reliance upon the comments, opinions and analyses in the material is at the sole discretion of the user.
Any products, services and information in this material may not be available in all jurisdictions and are offered local laws and regulation permit. Please consult your own financial professional or legal advisor for further information on availability of products and services in your jurisdiction. Please also see the disclaimer which is found at the bottom of this website under the heading “Important Disclosures”.