What is a crypto wallet?
The mechanism of crypto wallets is quite simple to understand, as it is comparable to email. The crypto wallet may still transmit, receive, and manage money in the same way that millions of people all over the world do via email.
You may also access your wallet at any time and from any location. In other words, you may use crypto wallets to transfer payments to family members and swap bitcoin with pals, provided they also have a cryptocurrency wallet.
Bullet points
- The crypto wallet provides access to currencies as well as security controls for all of your digital assets.
- With a custodial wallet, you keep your cryptocurrency with a third party who controls or holds your cryptocurrency’s private keys.
- You are the single owner and operator of a non-custodial wallet or web3 wallet. Although you have more freedom and access with this form of wallet, you are in charge of maintaining your own security and secret keys.
Do crypto wallets make sense?
The explanation is simple: they provide you control over your money. When you purchase or receive cryptocurrencies, a record is created on the blockchain indicating that you now hold a certain number of units of that coin, allowing you to access and manage your cryptocurrency.
Classification of wallets
There are two traditional types of wallets: custodial and non-custodial.
1. A custodial wallet is one in which someone else stores your secret key (aka the password to your wallet). This generally implies storing your cryptocurrencies on an exchange or trading platform. The coins in your wallet can then be accessed by login onto the exchange or platform. (This may appear to be identical with signing into an online banking account.) The potential of losing your private key is lower with a custodial wallet, and you need to keep fewer backups. Another significant benefit is that if you ever lose or forget your password, you will not lose your bitcoin. You may, however, only use the cryptographic features and assets that are accessible on the platform you are utilizing.
2. A non—custodial wallet (also known as a web3 or DeFi wallet) is one in which you possess and store a private key. You have absolute control over your bitcoin with a non-custodial wallet, but you also have additional responsibilities. Only you have access to the secret key that unlocks your wallet.
Furthermore, a non-custodial wallet provides access to the web3 economy to complete control over your money. Web1 was static and read—only, but web2 is the interactive network you’re used to (dynamic, user—created social networks like Linkedin, Youtube, and so on). Web3 is the next stage: it is decentralized and controlled by the public or its users, not by a huge technical middleman or centralized side or platform.
You can use a non-custodial wallet to gain access to the realm of decentralized applications (or “dapps”), which enable and support things like:
- DeFi (applications for decentralized finance): you may trade money digitally with both individuals and companies instead of needing a third party, such as a bank, to conduct financial transactions.
- Staking: Staking enables bitcoin holders to monetise specific types of coins stored in their wallet. You will be rewarded in return for granting permission to use your cryptocurrency to verify transactions.
- NFT (non-transferable tokens): These uniquely recognized data units may be found in online markets as digital artworks, gaming avatars, and other collectibles. You may immediately store and trade them in a non-jail wallet.
- Web3 Games: In Web3 games built with blockchain technology, players may earn bitcoin, NFT, and other game assets and exchange them directly with other players on virtual markets.
How to choose the right one?
Discussions about making a custodial wallet and a web3 wallet seems like deciding between riding an exercise bike and riding a street bike. When you have a custodial wallet, someone else controls it, just as on an exercise bike. While cycling on the street provides you greater flexibility and access to more locations, you must be cautious and safe, and never leave your bike alone.
A seed phrase or recovery phrase is frequently included in your non-storage wallet (note: other security and access methods may be offered). The phrase is made up of 12-24 randomly generated words that allow you to access your wallet if your private key is lost. Because anybody who knows your source phrase may access your wallet, it is just as crucial to safeguard it as your private key.
A non-custodial wallet, on the other hand, is a reliable alternative for accessing web apps. In addition, you have total control over your cash.
However, you are not required to select one of the options: Both sorts of wallets are acceptable.
Wallets’ operating principle
Well, let’s start out small: there are hot and cold wallets.
Hot wallets are online, which means they link to the internet and can often be used on a computer or mobile phone. It is typically easier to access and trade bitcoins using hot wallets. However, electronic wallets are more vulnerable to cyber assaults or fraud by anyone looking to steal cryptocurrency holdings.
Cold wallets are those that are not linked to the Internet. They are often maintained on a physical device, such as a sd card or even a piece of paper with your secret key, so your private key is never accessible online.
Don’t lose the money: hints and tips
- Be wary of anyone who requests that you download screen recording software.
- When you are requested to pay bitcoin to a third party to set up mining or staking activities, be wary of “learning” scam.
- Be wary of any unknown NFT or other assets transmitted to your wallet.
- Check the transaction information before signing a transaction. If you sign it, hackers can acquire access to your funds, therefore only authorize transactions if you trust the sender.