What is a bitcoin wallet?
It's your personal digital safe, your gateway to the world of cryptocurrencies. Just as a bank account has a number, a bitcoin wallet has its address. And the password to the bank account? That's your private key, which must remain a secret. Bitcoin wallets can take the form of an app, website, or even a hardware device.
Which wallet to choose?
There isn't a universal answer. Do you like convenience? Choose a mobile wallet. Want greater security? Consider a hardware wallet. It's crucial to know your needs:
- How many Bitcoins do you want to store?
- How often will you use the wallet?
- Are you tech-savvy?
- Do you want to control your keys, or will you entrust them to third parties?
Protecting your treasure
Your cryptocurrencies aren't actually in the wallet.
They are on the blockchain, which is a special kind of distributed, decentralized database that is accessible to all users connected to the internet.
You control your digital finances with keys located directly in the wallet. It's important to follow security measures: strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and to be prudent against scams.
Hot & Cold storage
One of the most fundamental differences between wallets to highlight: You can store wallets as "HOT" (online), meaning that type of wallet is connected to the internet. "COLD" storage (offline) means the exact opposite, the wallet is disconnected from the internet. While "HOT" offers convenience, "COLD" is considered safer since it's not accessible to hackers.
Among software wallets, both types, HOT and COLD, are present. If you download a wallet to your computer, it's HOT storage, while downloading to a device not connected to the internet is called COLD storage.
Types of wallets
- Web and mobile wallets: Ideal for beginners but be cautious. Web versions might be more vulnerable to attacks since the service provider can access your private keys. You must trust them not to steal your Bitcoins and protect them from hacker attacks. Mobile wallets might operate on the same principle, but in better cases, you can control your private key. The main risk with this type of digital wallet is mobile viruses.
- Software wallets: For those who prefer desktop applications. These wallets are relatively safe and intuitive to use. However, like the previous type, it's essential to watch out for possible computer viruses.
- Hardware wallets: Presented as the safest options. They are physical devices storing your cryptocurrencies offline. And there's no risk of hacker attacks. To manage the contents, the device connects to a computer. However, losing the device in this case means losing the Bitcoins.
- Paper wallet: A simplified version of a hardware wallet. This type, unlike hardware wallets, is free, but as the name suggests - it's a paper version, displaying your private key and address. The advantage again is its offline form, inaccessible to hackers.
In conclusion: In the world of cryptocurrencies, choosing a wallet is as important as choosing a currency. Invest time in selecting the right one for you, and always prioritize security!
From the 2bminer team, we definitely recommend the safest option, which is the TREZOR hardware wallet. If you don't want to invest in a hardware wallet at the moment, choose the wallet Bitlifi.