Ritchie Torres, American Politician – “With a multi-billion dollar market capitalization, crypto is here to stay. It’s not going anywhere.”
The digital storage and crypto niche has seen many innovative tools over the past few years. But very few compare to the versatility and usability of crypto wallets. If you are a crypto enthusiast, then you are certainly not new to crypto wallets. However, you might be new to some of its functions and processes, as well as proper usage and navigation.
Keep an eye as we bring you some useful tips on crypto wallet navigation, as well as some key resources you may not have known.
Crypto Wallets and Its Purpose
In simple terms, crypto wallets are storage destinations for cryptocurrency assets. Essentially, they are used to hold and move digital assets for transaction and trading purposes. To properly understand how to navigate your wallets, you need an understanding of its primary purpose.
Now this gets intricate, as there are different types of digital wallets with distinct processes. Here’s a highlight of some of the major ones, their usage, and proper navigation.
https://youtu.be/aPprQUQljHE?si=MdwEfckA22xuHvYu
Custodial or Online Wallets
Custodial wallets are mostly hosted on the Internet by third-party providers like cryptocurrency exchanges. As such, these hosts create and store security keys for your crypto wallet on their platform, for easy access and trading.
Think of online wallets as your designated storage box in a wide and far reaching storage facility.
Here’s how to get the best of custodial or hosted crypto wallets:
Find a Licensed and Operational Platform: Since your private keys are going to be secured by the provider, you must choose a trustworthy platform especially from the best crypto wallet in us. This can be done through research or by visiting resource platforms like Mighty Tips.
On one of its pages where MightyTips recommends betting sites that accept crypto, it listed the best bitcoin betting sites. And also explained the legality of betting, the benefits and listed alternative cryptocurrencies.
Create an Account: Once you find the right platform, locate the registration page on your desktop or mobile and follow through. Note, it is important to provide only verifiable info during the registration process, as you will need to verify your identity, so you don’t lose your crypto tokens.
Set up your Wallet: Once in, your account on an exchange works as a wallet. As such, the only setup you’ll be doing is linking your regular bank channels or crypto exchanges to facilitate trading and storage.
Note, ensure to establish contact with the customer service of your crypto exchange, in case of any irregularities with your storage or trading wallets.
Software or Non-Custodial Wallets
Jack Conte, CEO of Patreon–
“What I will say about crypto and NFTs in general is I really love the idea of creators owning their media and owning their content.”
Software wallets, on the other hand, do not necessarily require online connection and encompass some of the best free crypto wallets around. These applications are built with the blockchain module and individual users are responsible for keeping and securing their seed keys.
Navigating Software Wallets
Here’s how to get around and set up a software wallet
Pick a wallet application: Find and download your preferred crypto wallet app, be it on a desktop or mobile. Preferably from a list of the best crypto wallet us experts recommend.
Create an Account: This is usually a pretty straightforward process for hot wallets as you won’t need to provide tons of information. With software wallets, users only have to create a passcode for user identification, most times.
Secure the Seed phrases: Securing your recovery and backup seed phrases can not be overemphasized. It is the very basis of your software wallet, and losing it usually equals losing your account.
Add and manage your crypto wallets: Hot wallets are very user-friendly, so getting started is usually simple enough. You can start by funding your wallet with crypto, from another wallet, or through an exchange. In all, software wallets let you send, receive, store, and swap crypto tokens, airdrops, etc with relative ease.
Note, that Although user-friendly in terms of usability, a lot of hot wallets are associated with relatively high transaction fees.
In addition, the following are some of the best free crypto wallets in operation;
- Atomic Wallet App
- SafePal Wallet
- Exodus Wallet
- Meta Mask
Hardware Wallets
Despite not being as common, hardware wallets are still very much in use and are pretty functional as well. With it, you can store your private keys directly, to pull them whenever you are connected to your device. Also, Transactions are simply made by plugging in the flash-like device and proceeding to sign transactions.
How to utilize a hardware wallet effectively
Purchase the Hardware Device: Users can buy hardware wallet devices directly from the manufacturing companies by ordering them online. Once you get it, proceed to power it and create the access passcode.
Download and set up the software: Proceed to download the compatible wallet software for your hardware wallet device. Ensure to write down your seed phrases encryption, and save them directly on your hardware device.
Link up and Connect your device: Once your hardware device and wallet software are in sync, you can access it on your desktop via a direct computer plug-in. On the mobile end, there are wireless options like Wifi and QR codes for connectivity. Not to worry, your hardware device will most likely come with instructions on how to go about it.
Fund and Manage your wallet: At this stage, it’s all set. Users only have to buy crypto from exchanges or receive some from another offline wallet to get going. This is simply done by using your wallet address as a destination for incoming tokens.
Note, that the intricate thing about hardware wallets is to avoid damage or loss of the hardware device, as it may not be so easy to replace.
How To Use Digital Wallets Effectively
Know your Wallet: As mostly advised with financial storage apps, it is best to get around and understand your wallet’s interface before going off to make transactions.
Transactions: Just like regular bank transactions, you’ll only need a sending and a receiving wallet address to complete crypto transactions. You also fund your wallet, conveniently by buying crypto assets directly from exchanges.
Be Security Conscious: Digital wallets are designed for optimal security. However, you’ll still have to do your part. This involves using strong passwords, avoiding shady transactions, keeping your seed phrases from discovery, etc.
Know the market: Lastly, it is crucial to follow the crypto market dynamics, especially if you are mining or trading. This entails keeping up with trends and analyzing market conditions to know when to buy, sell, or trade.
In addition, endeavor to update your digital wallet’s software regularly, to get the best out of it.
Summary
In all, crypto wallets, in general, are pretty functional and user-friendly, some more than others. Nevertheless, we’ve taken the liberty to highlight the most commonly used crypto wallet types and how to get around them. Even as a beginner, the guides featured in this piece can get you running your crypto wallet in no time.