Crypto wallet

Everyone has faint knowledge of cryptocurrency, but when we delve into the intricacies of this alternative currency, there are some common sounding threads that make it very similar to traditional currency, namely the cryptocurrency “wallet.” But what is a crypto wallet? Crypto wallets act as a virtual “wallet” to hold digital currencies. As you can place currencies like dollars, Pounds, and Euros in your physical wallet, you can place cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin, in your cryptocurrency wallet.

Do I Need a Wallet for My Cryptocurrency?

When trading bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies it is important for people to keep their stored assets safe, and store the keys in one safe place. One way to do this is to get a cryptocurrency wallet. It operates much like a regular bitcoin to wallet setup and will enable users to make multiple purchases while keeping an eye on their balance. A crypto wallet is, in essence, like a real wallet, where it can keep your keys safe like your wallet holds your coins and debit cards, but it doesn't hold your crypto coins there, which we will get into a bit later.

How Do Crypto Wallets Work?

Wallets are used to view cryptocurrency balances and to make transactions, and each wallet category can operate for one or more cryptocurrencies and can store more than cryptocurrency-related “public addresses” which are like account numbers, but for cryptocurrency. Using your wallet, you can check balances associated with a specific address and you can transfer money around the blockchain, provided you are the address owner, which is where a private key comes in.

A private key is a secret code linked with a public address in non-custodial wallets, which acts as your electronic bank account portal. As crypto is a Tally located on the Blockchain, it is not stored in your crypto wallet, and the currency is held on the blockchain of a coin. The wallet in this process is software that works with the blockchain. The wallet keeps the bitcoin wallet and crypto addresses stored, rather than actual crypto coins, which is on the blockchain.

What Types of Cryptocurrency Wallets Are There?

There are many types of wallets that can help an individual to store and manage digital currency:

  • Online wallets operate on the cloud and can be accessed from any device.
  • Desktop wallets are downloaded and activated on your desktop or laptop.
  • Hardware wallets hold private keys on a hardware device like a USB.
  • Mobile wallets run on your phone, can be used anywhere, and are much smaller and easier than desktop wallets.
  • Paper wallets are a physical copy or printed copy of your private key, it also applies to a piece of software used to safely produce keys that are then printed. 
  • Brain wallets require the owner to remember the information to regenerate private and public key pairs. 
  • Hot crypto wallets are linked to the web that allows cryptocurrency to be spent at any time.
  • Cold crypto wallets are not connected to the internet.

Is a Crypto Wallet Safe to Use?

Naturally, with the nature of the modern world and the delicate nature of cryptocurrency, it can make people concerned as to the security and efficacy of a crypto wallet. But the security of wallets depends on the type of wallet you are using. For instance, a desktop wallet will have different layers of security to a hardware wallet, and it also depends on the provider's own security policies. For example, offline wallets cannot be hacked as they are not hooked up to an online network and don't require a third party for security purposes.

Online wallets, as with any online practice, can be susceptible to hacker attempts, but this means strict security measures should be taken. When it comes to securing your wallet, it's crucial that you understand what would happen if you lost your wallet. As your wallet holds your private keys, losing your private keys means you lose your earnings. And if your account is breached or you fall foul to a scammer, it is not possible to recover the missing cash or undo the transaction. But you can follow a handful of simple practices to make sure you are looking after your crypto wallet as securely as possible:

Backup Your Wallet

Backups are the backbone of any security policy. You should store small amounts of currency in the blockchain technology if you use it every day, but keep most of your funds in a high-security environment such as on an offline storage solution (usually referred to a “cold” solution) 

Update Your Software Whenever Possible

It is vital that every time there is a new version of the software you download the latest update. Having the software fully updated means you have the new protection updates available, especially if the last update was buggy or glitchy. it's also important that you don't just upgrade your wallet software, but also make sure your device or smartphone devices are kept up to date.

Incorporate Extra Layers of Security

The more levels of protection you have, the safer your wallet will be and the more peace of mind you will have. You can do this by some simple practices:

  • Set up long and complicated passwords.
  • Make sure that when you withdraw funds that it requires a password to access the funds. 
  • Use a wallet with a strong reputation with extra protection features (like two-factor authentication or pin codes).

Do Not Disclose Your Private Keys to Anybody

Private keys are integral to your wallet. If you lose your private keys, you lose access to your finances. You may consider sharing your public address on a public forum, but you should never share your private keys and passwords with anyone else, much like you wouldn't disclose your email passwords. Keep the information stored in a safe place so you can operate your crypto wallet securely and look after your finances in the best possible way.

Which Cryptocurrency Wallet Should I Choose?

As there are so many wallet choices to choose from, there are a wide variety of questions you need to ask yourself to determine your needs. It's a good idea to pay attention to your lifestyle, investment goals, and financial targets, and consider some of the following points:

  • Will you be storing more cryptocurrency than you need? If so, cold wallets like paper wallets and hardware wallets like desktop wallets will help.
  • Are you happy to spend money on a high-quality wallet? If you are not willing to part with money, hot wallets are best. If you are happy to spend, find a cold wallet with a lot of security.
  • How many cryptocurrencies are you planning to invest in? If you want to invest in more than one cryptocurrency, a combination of hot and cold wallets would work best. If you only have one type of crypto coin, a crypto wallet like an Ethereum wallet would work best.
  • Do you want to spend cryptocurrency or just save it? Spending is best with one of the many hot wallets (online) options. But if you want to save, cold wallets are safer as they are not online.

Conclusion

Crypto wallets are a worthwhile investment as they boast a wide variety of features to ensure you get the most out of your cryptocurrency experience. But to make the most of crypto wallet features, it's important to invest in different types of wallets so you can look after your assets, as various cryptocurrencies have different functions and value. While there are pros and cons to every type of wallet, and there are distinct advantages of keeping your cryptocurrencies online or offline wallet, you need to choose the best wallets, not just for your protection, but for your lifestyle. You need to consider what sorts of transactions you plan on making and experiment if a wallet is what you need for this. If you plan on making small transactions, a wallet may only serve you well some of the time. 

But whatever wallet you choose, it's important to be cautious. Security is the most important thing when it comes to looking after your assets. Choosing a wallet that has the right layers of security for you is more important than ever in an age of hackers and scammers. Choosing the right crypto wallet will ensure that you are picking a means of security suitable for your life. If you are making numerous transactions online it's important to be diligent and exercise your common sense.

Choosing the right wallet is crucial to your cryptocurrency experience. If you are looking to earn a passive income while operating under a stellar layer of security, download the Flits Wallet app and start managing your cryptocurrency while you are on the go. For those people looking for a wallet that fits in with a busy lifestyle, they need an online app that is easy to access. When it comes to earning a passive income it's important to keep your eyes on the prize. This is where the right crypto wallet can be invaluable.