Creating a wallet
Your wallet is the key to doing any crypto trading, so it's important we get one setup!
Creating a wallet is the first step in crypto investing; it allows you to buy, sell, and trade your tokens. Your wallet can also collect NFTs, participate in games or contests, or link to projects to explore new features or utilities.
It's important, though, to remember these key rules when creating or using your wallet:
✅ Download/Install the wallet from reputable sources, such as iOS App Store, Google Play, or the wallet developer website directly. Also, follow the steps carefully and entirely.
✅ Securely store your recovery phase and create backups to ensure it is never lost.
❌ Never sharing your recovery/seed phrase for any reason or connecting your wallet to untrusted websites/apps
Mobile Wallets vs. Desktop Wallets
So you are trying to decide between a mobile wallet or a desktop wallet, let's look at some comparisons.
Note that you can have both Desktop and Mobile if you wish
On the go access
✅
❌
Ease of use
✅
✅
DAPP Integration
✅
❌
More Security Options
⚠️
✅
Accessibility Options
❌
✅
Hardware Wallet Integration
❌
✅
✅ Works
❌ Doesn’t Work
⚠️ Requires additional attention/setup
Wallet Setup
With so many types of wallets, it's important to understand the setup process so you can be ready to go!
Trust Wallet is a popular wallet for smart devices. It supports DApps, NFT collectibles (with Opensea.io support), and in-wallet staking.
Pros:
It is backed by Binance.
You have multiple network choices to choose from aside from BSC.
Can purchase crypto from within the wallet.
BSC is a default network already integrated.
Has some additional in-wallet benefits, such as NFT holdings, in-wallet staking, and can use the DApp within the wallet.
Easiest to use for BSC.
Cons:
It does not support all Crypto chains.
Can have delayed notifications.
May not connect as easily to wallet connect websites.
Hardware Wallets & Setup
Hardware wallets are different from the traditional wallets you see above. For example, rather than authenticating a transaction from your mobile phone or desktop application, you have a physical device that must approve a transaction. These types of wallets are also referred to as "cold wallets."
A hardware wallet works well with a "hot wallet" such as MetaMask. A hot wallet is a digital wallet that can authenticate transactions without needing external physical devices. When using a hardware wallet, you ensure that there is an extra layer of security before authenticating a transaction or connecting your wallet. Think of it like a two-factor code for your phone.
It's important to note that hardware wallets can still be compromised if you are careless with them.
Never share your hardware wallet seed phrase, as that will allow anyone to circumvent the protection of the hardware wallet.
Never connect to unknown websites or authenticate transactions you are unsure of
Hardware wallet tips
One common recommendation for hardware wallets is using them as storage. For example, keeping all of your tokens on your hardware wallet, then moving them to your hot wallet when needing to buy/sell. This ensures that your hardware wallet is never connected to anything, and you control what goes in and out.
Hardware wallets
Let's look at some popular hardware wallets you can use; plenty are out there, but these are the most prominent.
Ledger is one of the most well-known hardware wallets out there and boasts a range of models and features for its users.
Pros:
Large Cryptocurrency support.
Security is top-notch and has a secure enclave chip.
It can be integrated with MetaMask to allow almost any crypto to be stored.
Cheaper than other hardware wallets.
Offers multiple hardware wallet options to choose from.
Ledger Nano X has encrypted Bluetooth and allows multiple apps to be installed.
Large community and support, along with guides and resources.
Cons:
Requires additional steps to set up most BEP-20 tokens.
Mobile and Desktop apps do not show all cryptos unless approved and listed.
Ledger Nano S has limited app storage
It can be confusing to setup and use
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