What is a crypto wallet?
A cryptocurrency wallet is a tool that securely stores and safeguards an investor’s cryptocurrency holdings, allowing them to send, receive, and monitor their digital assets. There are physical and digital versions of wallets.
A crypto wallet is essential for executing transactions on a blockchain. When a user wants to send or receive crypto, the wallet generates and manages the necessary cryptographic keys:
- A public address for receiving funds
- A private key (known only to the wallet owner) for accessing assets and authorizing or executing transactions
Without a crypto wallet, a user doesn’t have a secure means to manage these keys, making transactions on a blockchain impossible.
In addition to basic functionalities like sending and receiving crypto funds, crypto wallets may also provide features like:
- Portfolio tracking
- Transaction history
- Integration with decentralized applications (DApps)
There are two main types of crypto wallets:
- Hot wallets – These are connected to the internet for frequent transactions.
- Cold wallets – These are offline storage devices that provide tighter security.
Regardless of the type of wallet, security measures like two-factor authentication, encryption, and biometric verification protect the assets within a wallet.