Beginner’s Guide to Bitcoin Wallets
Since bitcoin is not like traditional money, it requires a different strategy. Additionally, as Bitcoin is not a tangible object, it cannot be kept just anyplace, which is why you want a Bitcoin wallet. There are various kinds of…
Since bitcoin is not like regular money, it requires specialised security measures. You require a Bitcoin wallet for this reason.
The ability of individuals to act as their own banks is one of the primary concepts underpinning Bitcoin. Bitcoin may be kept practically anyplace because it is not a physical item (including physical things). There are various Bitcoin wallet kinds, and they differ in terms of factors like convenience, accessibility, usability, device type, and safety and security.
Security and Bitcoin wallets go hand in hand since having your private key is the only method to reclaim and demonstrate ownership of your bitcoins.
Types of bitcoin wallets
Online (“hot”) wallets, where the private key is kept online or on laptops, tablets, or other internet-connected devices, such as bitcoin exchanges or other websites.
Offline (“cold”) wallets, in which the private key is kept on paper or offline hardware like a computer, a USB drive with a password, or even just in the user’s mind (when you memorise a special phrase to access your funds). Additionally, there are specialised hardware encrypted cold storage units like Ledger or Trezor.
Due to the possibility of hacking, online or “hot” wallets are less secure. Website wallets are particularly insecure since you have to give a third party access to your private key. Hot wallets, however, are more practical for everyday usage.
Read More:Is Bitcoin Safe To Use?
Therefore, it is advised to utilise both hot and cold wallets—hot wallets to hold modest amounts of bitcoin for use in everyday transactions, and cold wallets—or offline—to store greater quantities. You’re free to own however many wallets you desire.
Bitcoin wallets for beginners
Here are a few straightforward Bitcoin wallets that you can download, set up, and start using right now.
Hot wallets
Wallet | Type | OS | Features |
---|---|---|---|
Electrum | Desktop and mobile | Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Android | Popular Bitcoin wallet |
Exodus | Desktop | Windows, Linux, Mac OS | User-friendly |
Jaxx wallet | Mobile and web | Android, iOS, Chrome | Multicurrency wallet |
Coinbase | Web and mobile | Android, iOS | Cryptocurrency exchange |
Wasabi wallet | Desktop | Windows, Linux, Mac OS | Privacy-oriented |
Blockchain.info | Mobile and web | Android, iOS | Super easy to use |
Bitcoin wallet | Mobile | Android, iOS | Let’s you see local Bitcoin merchants |
Binance | Web and mobile | Android, iOS | Cryptocurrency exchange |
Samourai wallet | Mobile | Android | Privacy-oriented |
Armory | Desktop | Windows, Linux, Mac OS, RaspberriPi | Multi-signature and cold storage options |
Cold wallets
Wallet | Price Range | Features |
---|---|---|
Paper wallet | Free | Can be stored both offline and online |
Ledger | $50-$200 | Enhanced security, screen |
TREZOR | $60-$500 | Screen |
KeepKey | $80 | Screen |
BitLOX | $98-$198 | Extreme security, privacy-oriented |
To learn how to create a Bitcoin wallet, you can follow our guide. Hopefully, these explanations of Bitcoin wallets for beginners are sure to help you take your first step into using the cryptocurrency.