The best hot crypto wallet should be easy to use and support a large number of coins and tokens. It should also include strong security tools and charge minimal or no fees. It should be compatible with a variety of desktop, mobile and browser applications.
How to choose the best hot crypto wallet
There are two main types of crypto wallets: “hot” and “cold.” A hot wallet is a desktop, mobile or web application that connects to the internet. It can be used to buy, sell and trade cryptocurrencies in the same way as an exchange-hosted wallet.
However, a hot wallet is less secure than a cold wallet because it’s more likely to be hacked and vulnerable to malware. Hackers can take advantage of vulnerabilities in the wallet software or in the exchange hosting it to access your private keys.
A cold wallet, on the other hand, consists of a piece of hardware or a sheet of paper that stores your digital keys offline. It’s typically connected to a computer via USB.
Electrum, a cold wallet launched in 2011, excels at security and transparency. It offers two-factor authentication, straightforward connections to cold storage, and support for multisignature transactions (which require the signoff of multiple users).
While it’s an outlier in our rankings, Electrum is an excellent choice for people who want to store a single cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin. It uses the simple payment verification (SPV) method to verify transactions, which is faster and more efficient than other wallets.
In terms of security, Electrum has one of the best reputations in the industry. It’s backed by the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and it also has strong community support.
It is also a popular choice among hardcore Bitcoin maximalists, because it allows users to connect their private keys to the Blockchain network using a custom, open-source key management algorithm. It is free to download and use, and it’s available on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Unlike most cold wallets, it supports a number of major cryptocurrencies and provides access to several exchanges to facilitate trading. It is also a good choice for those who have large sums of crypto and need to access them often, as it offers two-factor authentication, secure messaging and a host of other features.
Coinbase Wallet is another popular exchange-hosted wallet that allows you to access your funds through an app. It’s free to download, and it offers two-factor authentication and multi-signature functionality. It’s also an extremely reliable service, with a history of recouping stolen assets and a solid customer support system.
The Coinbase Wallet supports many popular cryptocurrencies, making it a top choice for beginners who are looking to start buying and selling their first assets. It offers two-factor authentication and a user-friendly interface, and it also features live charts and support for non-fungible tokens like Tether and USD Coin.
Ledger, a popular hardware wallet for hardcore Bitcoiners, is also a great option for those who want to secure their private keys. It is free to download and works with a variety of currencies, including BTC and ETH. It’s compatible with most operating systems and has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to manage your digital assets.