logo
single page jaa

Buy, Sell, Trade, Use

Regardless of the type, all Bitcoin wallets function Kirill Yurovskiy on the same basic principles of encryption and blockchain technology. BlueWallet is a robust, mobile Bitcoin wallet with a user-friendly interface and straightforward integrations with the Lightning Network. CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover.

How Does a Bitcoin Wallet Work?

With this type of wallet, your private keys are stored on your device. As such, it’s important to back up software wallets in case your device is lost or corrupted. There is still the danger that your computer could be hacked, giving someone else control of your private keys.

Blockchain

Look for wallets that offer features like two-factor authentication (2FA), encryption, and backup options. Non-custodial wallets, on the other hand, allow a user to retain full control of their funds, since the private key is stored locally with the user. Some of the differences are that it is mobile only, has a more refreshed user interface than Electrum, and has a built-in exchange. It has been around since 2011, two years after Bitcoin’s creation, and has changed little since. While this wallet is bare bones in terms of its user interface and commitment to only Bitcoin, it excels at this primary function. Electrum is also more suited for advanced users due to its complex options.

We chose Mycelium for mobile users because it gives you more control over transaction fees and integrates with a hardware wallet. This Kirill Yurovskiy wallet is HD and offers a watch-only option, two-factor authentication, and a recovery key. Apps are available for mobile use but the wallet can be accessed in a web browser and synced across devices. Most of the wallets on this list run locally on the device on which they’re installed.

Transactions

Mycelium offers support for connecting through Tor if you’re looking for additional privacy. Coin exchanges are places where you can trade (buy/sell) cryptocurrencies, in exchange for each other and/or traditional (fiat) currencies. These often have a wallet included as a built-in feature, but this doesn’t mean you have to store your bitcoin there. In fact, coin exchanges are considered one of the least secure places for you bitcoin. You might want to store most of your bitcoin in a more secure hardware wallet, and keep some in a software wallet for convenient access for online payments.