Which is better to choose a bitcoin wallet. Creating a bitcoin wallet is the best options for all occasions. According to this principle, Bitcoin wallets are divided into

This guide will help you find the best bitcoin wallet for you!

There is no one size fits all Bitcoin wallet! There are many wallets for different platforms and with different feature sets.

If you want to find the best option for you, keep reading…

Part 1

What's happened bitcoin-purse?

Bitcoin wallet is your first step in using bitcoins.

Without a wallet, you will not be able to receive, store or spend bitcoins.

The wallet can be viewed as your personal channel of interaction with the Bitcoin network, just as online banking acts as a “bridge” between you and the financial system.

Bitcoin wallets contain private keys: secret codes that allow you to spend bitcoins.

In fact, it is not the bitcoins themselves that need to be stored and protected, but the private keys that give you access to them.

A bitcoin wallet is an app, website, or device that contains the private keys for your bitcoins.

Part 2

Types bitcoin-wallets

Let's find out what types of wallets are and why people use different wallets.

Hardware wallets

A hardware wallet is a physical electronic device designed solely to store and secure your bitcoins.

The essence of a hardware wallet is that in order to spend your bitcoins, you will first need to connect it to a PC, smartphone or tablet.

To date, the most popular hardware wallets are:

Hardware wallets are a great option if you need a reliable and convenient bitcoin storage with a high security threshold.

Hardware bitcoin wallets store private keys separately from vulnerable hardware connected to the internet.

Working with your private keys takes place in a remote secure environment inside a hardware wallet, which allows you to keep them safe even when connected to a hacked or unsecured PC.

Since bitcoins are a digital product, cyber criminals have the potential to hack into your PC and even the software wallet installed on it and steal your bitcoins by gaining access to your private key.

Creating and storing a private key offline using a hardware wallet allows you to protect yourself from situations of this kind.

Of course, attackers can steal the hardware wallet itself, but it will be protected by your personal PIN.

In addition, you don't even have to worry if your wallet is stolen, lost or damaged. When you initialize your wallet, you create a special recovery code with which you can always return access to your bitcoins.

What are Benefits hardware wallets?

The easiest way to securely store bitcoins
Easily protect and restore your wallet
Fewer potential vulnerabilities; simple setup procedure even for ordinary users

What are minuses hardware wallets?

Relatively high price

Online wallets

Online wallets (or "hot" wallets) are Bitcoin wallets that run on PCs, smartphones or tablets with an obligatory internet connection.

Private keys are secret codes. Since online wallets generate your private keys on devices connected to the internet, these private keys cannot be considered 100% secure.

Online wallets can be compared to your wallet: you can store cash in it, but not life savings. This type of wallet allows you to quickly and easily make payments, but is not entirely suitable for long-term savings.

What are Benefits online wallets?

The easiest way to store a small amount of bitcoins
Easy to send and receive payments quickly
Some online wallets allow you to use your account on multiple devices at once

What are minuses online wallets?

It is dangerous to hold large amounts of bitcoins

Which wallet is right for you?

Are you investing and/or saving? Then a hardware wallet is more suitable for you.

For daily expenses, you can also look at an online wallet. The main advantage here is that all online wallets are free.

Each wallet has its own advantages and disadvantages, and different wallets serve slightly different purposes.

Some are focused on security, while others excel in terms of privacy.

You can choose the wallet that suits you best based on your own needs, as there can be no single “best bitcoin wallet” by definition.

Listed below are wallets that you can buy or download. We encourage you to try out the options below, but do some research on your own first.

Almost every day, fraudulent Bitcoin wallets appear on Google Play and the App Store, with the help of which attackers rob naive or inexperienced users.

We offer you only those wallets, the developers of which were not afraid to make the source code publicly available.

Part 3

Hardware wallets: keep your bitcoins safe

Hardware wallets are not free!

The most popular hardware wallets are KeepKey, Ledger Nano S and Trezor.

Their price will be quite justified if you have accumulated a significant amount of bitcoins. A hardware wallet is the best way to help you keep your savings safe.

How do hardware wallets work?

Hardware wallets are secure offline storages. They store your private keys without an internet connection, which means they cannot be hacked.

This means that you can use hardware wallets even on jailbroken or unsecured PCs.

Why do hardware wallets need a screen?

In the table below you can see which wallets are equipped with a screen.

The screen is an additional layer of protection, as it allows you to verify transactions and display important information. Since a hardware wallet is almost impossible to hack, the data on the screen is much more trustworthy than what is displayed on the PC screen.

Comparison of hardware Bitcoin wallets

Below is a small table to compare several options. Note:

Purse	Release date	Price
Ledger Nano X	2019	$119
Ledger Nano S	2016	$59
Trezor One	2013	$78
KeepKey	2015	$79

Reviews of the best hardware Bitcoin wallets

Part 4

Online wallets

Let's refresh our memory a bit:

Online wallets are Bitcoin wallets that run on PCs, smartphones or tablets with a mandatory internet connection. Since they generate your private keys on devices connected to the internet, they cannot be considered 100% secure.

Online Bitcoin Wallets (Web Wallets)

In the case of web wallets, your private keys are stored online, albeit encrypted with a user-set password. Despite the lowest level of protection, Bitcoin web wallets can be used from any device connected to the Internet.

However, this does not mean that all Bitcoin banks are bad. Companies like Coinbase have done an excellent job of attracting new users to the Bitcoin ecosystem. It's just important to remember that whoever has the private keys owns the corresponding bitcoins.

Misinterpretations of this rule in the past have resulted in the theft or loss of millions of dollars, which is why it is important for you to understand how to properly store the private keys to your bitcoins.

Understanding how bitcoin wallets work is your own safety. Bitcoin is still only at the beginning of its journey, and in the near future wallets will become more convenient and secure.

Already in the near future, some devices will come with pre-installed wallets that will interact with the blockchain even without the knowledge of the user.

In the meantime, you need to understand that private keys should be available to you and only you.

Part 6

Scam and fraud

Regardless of which wallet you choose, remember:

Your bitcoins are only safe when you have generated a private key in a secure manner, not shared it with anyone, and taken care of its safety!

We offer you some information about what happens when users transfer their bitcoins to intermediaries:

In order not to be in such situations, try to follow 3 simple rules:

Generate your private keys securely, preferably offline(of course, this does not apply to wallets for everyday expenses, for which a web wallet will suffice).
Be sure to back up your private keys. This will help you not to lose bitcoins in the event of a computer breakdown and other force majeure situations. It would be wise to make another copy of the keys, which will be kept outside of your apartment. This will help you in case of fire, robbery, etc.
Don't Forget About Wallet Encryption. This will help to avoid physical theft of funds (for example, when a computer or a hardware wallet is stolen).

For any Bitcoin user, the main issue is the proper storage of their bitcoins.

Bitcoin gives you not only certain privileges, but also the obligation to carefully store your money. In fact, most acts of fraud and theft could have been prevented if the users of the new technology were more technically savvy.

There is one simple rule: never trust anyone with your money.

1. What bitcoin wallets are
2. #10 - Trezor
3. #9 - Bitcoin Wallet
4. No. 8 - Xapo
5. No. 7 - Armory
6. No. 6 - Electrum
7. #5 - Bitcoin Core
8. #4 - MyCellium
9. #3 - Jaxx
10. #2 - Coinbase
11. #1 - Blockchain.info

The path of every person who decides to start using cryptocurrency for one purpose or another inevitably begins with the creation of Bitcoin Wallet - a wallet that will become a storehouse of savings in the form of bitcoins and other coins.

Many ignore the importance of this stage and rush to start buying and trading a new financial miracle as soon as possible, and a bitcoin wallet is created on the run, which they later bitterly regret. We recommend that you carefully analyze existing offers and for your convenience, we present the best bitcoin wallets of 2017.

What bitcoin wallets are

The choice of wallet type depends on many factors, for example, the amount of funds that you plan to store on it, the owner's requirements for reliability and security, and much more. The main categories are as follows:

The most secure of all, as you might guess, is a hardware wallet, it does not have access to the Internet, which means it cannot become a prey for hackers. But you can steal it physically, and also, without carefully studying the procedure for restoring access to such a wallet, you can irretrievably lose it if the device fails.

PC programs are more vulnerable to malicious actions, especially if you are not using a basic wallet that requires a full download of the blockchain to work, but a so-called “thin” program provided by third-party sites. But it is not an example more convenient to use, it is always possible to quickly perform the necessary operations.

Mobile applications are extremely convenient, they are easy to use and almost always have access to them, unlike PC wallets, but their functionality is predictably cut off - smartphones have not enough power and internal memory.

A web wallet is truly the choice of the brave, it can be convenient to store your savings in Internet services, but blindly relying on the honesty of not always known resource owners is still not a good idea. Some wallets are a combination of several types, for example, an online wallet and a mobile application, but we will list ten, in our opinion, the most optimal solutions, regardless of the category.

#10 - Trezor

This wallet for bitcoins is a flash drive familiar to each of us, that is, it has a hardware implementation. The wallet is not inside it, but on the website of the manufacturer, but to complete transactions, confirmation from this device is required.

This technology eliminates the risks associated with a hacker attack on the site or your computer. The level of security available to her is not able to guarantee an electronic wallet of a different type, therefore, those who want to protect their capital as much as possible are better off having just this type of wallet. Why doesn't such a great option top our top bitcoin wallets? In addition to the complexity of the transaction process, which at the very least can be experienced, this wallet has a considerable cost - $ 99, and therefore it is hardly suitable for those who want to join the world of cryptocurrencies without starting investments in infrastructure.

#9 - Bitcoin Wallet

Wallet in the form of a mobile application with the corresponding pros and cons. It is easy to use and very reliable compared to mobile competitors, the Android operating system gets along well with it and, as a rule, there are no problems. But the need to connect to the Internet puts it in a deliberately losing position in terms of security in relation to less demanding competitors, and it also does not work with iOS, so the owners of mobile devices from Apple were left out.

Speed and transparency compensate for minor flaws, and therefore, if you are looking towards a wallet based on a mobile application, then this is one of the best representatives of this niche.

No. 8 - Xapo

A web wallet, and therefore we can only use it through a browser. An extremely friendly interface in tandem with developers attentive to the wishes of users make it one of the favorites in terms of user-friendliness, as well as a decent level of security, which was previously unattainable for online wallets. A nice feature is that the company approves payments using debit cards, and therefore you can freely pay with bitcoins wherever they are accepted.

The problems are common for the class - without access to the Internet, you will not have access to your bitcoins, and this can be a fatal flaw at the time of a fundamental change in market trends. Security, although the highest for web services, loses to other options for storing your funds.

No. 7 - Armory

Another application, but for advanced cryptocurrency owners. After the user makes his way through the jungle of the interface, he will have to learn about the strengths of the wallet - the developers have worked hard to protect it, many encryption options will not allow attackers to get to your funds using the usual means in this case.

The flexibility of settings allows you to make the program convenient and relevant to your personal wishes, but not everyone will be able to go through all the difficulties and subtleties in setting up the application, and therefore it may not be suitable as the first wallet.

No. 6 - Electrum

If you want to use a PC wallet, but your home computer has not been upgraded for a long time and the official wallet is too tough for it, this lightweight and convenient program that is compatible with rather weak machines will come to the rescue - the missing resources for processing processor parts will be provided by remote servers.

External servers are also the weak point of the application. To date, the wallet is rated as very secure, but the arms race between information security specialists and attackers never stops, and therefore almost no one can guarantee long-term reliability. Another nuance is that the menu is not the easiest and most understandable, beginners will have to work hard.

#5 - Bitcoin Core

It frustrates many that wallets usually have an English-language interface, because if you are looking for a bitcoin wallet in Russian, it is in front of you. This platform has proven itself for a long time from the best side, there are no questions about transparency and security.

Installing this program will require quite a lot of free space from your hard drive, which may not be suitable for everyone. Also, the program does not have mobile applications and web interfaces, and therefore, without access to your home PC, you will be isolated from your bitcoins.

#4 - MyCellium

A great mobile app, this time available on both Android and iOS. In terms of speed and security, this is one of the market favorites, and constantly updated functionality will not allow you to follow the development of technologies of other services with envy and regret about the wrong choice.

Unfortunately, the wallet does not have a desktop version, which means that all operations are tied to your mobile phone. The interface is not the most friendly, and therefore it is worth opening this bitcoin wallet after gaining some experience in operations with cryptocurrencies.

#3 – Jaxx

Not all wallets are capable of storing different types of cryptocurrencies, but Jaxx can handle this without difficulty. Thanks to this, the owners of such a program have the opportunity to exchange coins directly within the service. The data is stored on the computer, and therefore you should take care of its security.

Jaxx has an important drawback for this business - the company is new and young, and there is nothing more valuable than the established reputation, so everyone decides for himself whether the convenience is worth such risks.

#2 – Coinbase

One of the market leaders among bitcoin trading services. The site has been operating since 2012 and belongs to the category of proven old-timers, which cannot but please cautious users. On the other hand, the company has direct access to customer funds, which is always alarming.

If you still do not know which bitcoin wallet is best to use, then Coinbase looks like a compromise option - it has no frankly weak features, and the ability to trade within the service seriously increases its attractiveness in the eyes of millions of cryptocurrency investors. So far, it is not available in all countries, but having come to full coverage of the potential audience over time, it has every chance to take a dominant position in the cryptocurrency wallet market.

#1 – Blockchain.info

Our rating is headed by the most popular of the Russian-language wallets today. You can access the wallet both through a browser and through a smartphone, but although your data is stored on remote servers, only you have access to your private keys, and therefore this wallet is practically inaccessible to scammers.

This service is ideal for beginners - it is easy to use and maximally customer-oriented. Any mobile operating system is supported, and therefore, when you change your smartphone, you do not have to rack your brains about how and where to transfer your savings. The community of crypto investors is extremely flattering about the company and developers, and therefore security issues are not as acute as with other services with web interfaces. Although the choice, as well as the entire burden of responsibility for it, falls on you, following the most savvy market participants is still somewhat more pleasant than diving into an unknown pool with your head.

It can be difficult to choose and create the best Bitcoin wallet that would still be available in Russian.

Is not it?

Right now you can get acquainted with all the information about the address, entrance and ...

How to open one of the most technologically advanced, reliable, untraceable payment systems on the Internet by reading my review below:

It relies on the capitalist law of supply and demand and is open source software that guarantees its consistency.

Bitcoin launched in 2009 year, there is one of the most popular payment methods among .

Now the fun part:

Unlike standard electronic currency such as , etc., the Bitcoin system has no governing bodies, respectively, the instability is minimal.

The total number of bitcoins is limited 21 million , it is programmed and known to all participants.

Since the system is based on the principle of a limited total number of coins, the currency is subject to a deflationary process.

This predictable deflation encourages the use of accumulated coins for speculation.

This should be taken into account when you are going to exchange bitcoins for the US dollar or any other national currency.

Bitcoin wallet fees

The high cryptographic security allows transactions to be processed in a very efficient and inexpensive way.

Note:

You can make and receive payments through the e-currency network without any fees.

In most cases, the fee is not strictly required, but is recommended for faster transaction confirmation.

International bank transfers are made from a few days to more than one week, while Bitcoin transactions are usually confirmed within an hour.

This is the only one on 100% irreversible payment method.

For this reason, be careful when sending bitcoins to ; make sure you transfer them to a trusted provider.

All financial and technical data related to the network can be found in the e-currency charts.

Methods of depositing and withdrawing funds

Ways to replenish your wallet:

Coinbase ( wallet with the ability to buy or sell),

various exchanges,

international bank transfer,

Other electronic currencies,

Bitcoin debit cards,

POS-terminals of electronic currency,

Removal methods:

exchangers,
bank transfer,
BTC debit cards,
Specialized ATMs.

System advantages:

There are no third-party participants in the system,
Zero or low commissions,
Fast international payments,
No risk of "refund" from your wallet,
Updating transparency,
High level account security
Fraud protection.

Minuses:

Not widely distributed
wavering,
Built-in deflation.

1. Blockchain.info (can be created in Russian)

The most popular Bitcoin wallet today available in Russian.

Allows you to send and receive coins through a browser or mobile phone.

He's kind of a hybrid- this means that the account is stored on the server, but no one but you has access to private keys.

However, since the address is loaded from the servers, some trust in the company is still required.

Need to trust third parties
It is difficult to make completely anonymous payments.

today's leading exchange service for buying and selling bitcoins.

It was founded in 2012 year and since then received more $31 million in the form of venture capital funding.

The exchange service is available at 19 countries of the world.

The system is newbie friendly, but the fact that the company is holding on to people's funds can be a little risky.

It is worth saying that Coinbase recently launched its service vault, which deprives the company of control over your money.

Pros:

Friendly to beginners, it is possible to add funds from the wallet.
An old and respected company.

Minuses:

The company controls your funds (depends if you use Vault).
Not supported worldwide (yet).

- relatively new wallet (launched in July 2016 years), allowing you to store not only bitcoins, but also Litecoins, Dogecoins, Dash and Ether.

It is unique in its beautiful design and intuitive user interface.

You can trade cryptocurrencies from the cabinet.

Exodus is currently only available in the desktop version.

Pros:

Easy to use,
Allows you to trade cryptocurrencies from the interface,
Great support from the creators,
Self hosted (data is stored by you).

Minuses:

Limited only to the PC version at the moment,
Relatively new company.

4. Jaxx (Bitcoin and Altcoin)

Jaxx is a platform that combines Bitcoin and all Altcoins in one wallet.

It allows you to store cryptocurrency and exchange it within the system (via ShapeShift).

The site is extremely intuitive, all data is stored on your computer (self hosted), which means that you do not need to trust private keys to third parties.

Pros:

Easy to use,
Allows trading within the interface,
self-service hosting,
Excellent support
Works on multiple platforms.

Minuses:

Relatively new company
Some users report problems on Linux

- popular wallet for mobile devices on iOS And Android, with rich, advanced privacy and security features.

Yes, it can be a bit difficult for beginners, but it is still one of the most safe and fast on the market.

Since the software is open source, MyCelium is constantly updated.

MyCelium is, first of all, hot wallet, nevertheless, it has some data storage functions inherent in the cold representatives of this area.

Pros:

Advanced privacy features make this app great for people who want to remain anonymous,
Increased security features will help keep bitcoins safe.

Minuses:

There is no desktop or web interface, so you have to use your smartphone to access the app.
MyCelium is better for more advanced users.

6. Bitcoin Core (registration in Russian)

Looking for a desktop storage solution?

If so, (also known as Bitcoin QT) is noteworthy and has a Russian language.

It offers many security, privacy features and supports full transparency.

The platform has a reputation for being a stable system, although it can use a lot of memory and space on your computer.

However, for modern PCs, the hardware requirements are quite low.

Pros:

Supports many security and privacy features,
Offers a very stable system.

Minuses:

No mobile apps for IOS and Android,
There is no web interface, which makes it difficult to use the wallet, without a personal computer,
A large amount of free space is required to store Blockchain information.

A fast and lightweight desktop application that you can download.

A good choice for those who use older and less powerful computers for their bitcoin storage.

Remote servers handle most of the processing parts of the wallet.

Works well with its advanced data protection features.

Users can even regain access to the account using a passphrase, although some people do not like that most of the information is stored on remote servers.

Pros:

Despite the fact that many applications are CPU intensive, Electrum is famous for its speed and lightness.

Minuses:

Unfriendly to newbies
Dependence on external servers can be a security risk.

8 Armory

Amory is a well-known and trusted brand when it comes to Bitcoin security.

The app is better suited for more advanced users.

It emphasizes reliability and security in its list of many encryption and cold storage options.

Pros:

Flexibility and adaptability to any situation,
Offers leading security features.

Minuses:

For normal use, knowledge inherent in advanced PC users is required.

9. Xapo

Xapo is a web wallet, so it can only be accessed through a web browser (no download) with an internet connection.

Xapo is known to have advanced data retention features.

The company supports debit card payments, making it easy to spend your bitcoins.

The application is friendly, so if this is your first time encountering bitcoins, be sure to take a closer look at this system.

Pros:

Xapo debit cards allow you to use ATMs to withdraw cash.

Minuses:

This is a web wallet so there are additional security risks.
There is no way to manage bitcoin without an internet connection.

The Green Adess custom pet allows you to access your bitcoins through a variety of methods:

Through the Internet,
Mobile application IOS and Android,
Through the desktop client.

Even better, Green Address is very user-friendly.

This makes it one of the most flexible wallets out there.

It supports multiple signature functions and has strong information preservation functions.

Pros:

Very flexible and easy to use, making it the best choice for beginners.

Minuses:

Requires the use of a remote application downloaded from another location.
Overall control of your money (meaning a third party must approve payments).

Known to be fast and relatively easy to use.

The company rejects the idea of "full trust", which means that it will not provide a decentralized system that offers people a lot of control over their money.

High transparency as well as impressive security features make this program very reliable.

Pros:

well-known brand,
The fast operating environment makes this wallet a good choice, although it will not be a problem for beginners to hang the system.

Minuses:

Access is online only and phone number is required Android or blackberry.

12. BitGo

BitGo is known for its high levels of security and is a multi-signature wallet.

This means that each transaction will require two-factor identification, which can greatly help protect your wealth from malware, hackers, and server attacks.

Oh, and the keys are stored by the users, not by BitGo, so they don't have access to the private area.

Pros:

A high level of security in a relatively simple and non-technical package.

Minuses:

Two-factor authentication can create a problem
The service relies heavily on central verification.

is a decentralized, secure and well maintained Bitcoin wallet.

The promising notion about this is that neither Airbitz nor any other third party can access bitcoin, so it is completely independent.

The best part is that it also provides representations around you accepting bitcoin.

Also, many ideas were introduced into the user interface to make the system as easy to use as possible.

Pros:

Friendly to newbies
business directory,
Decentralized.

Minuses:

unpublished brand,
No web interface (only for mobile devices).

14.Copay

One of the best wallets. Created by the company bitpay.

Copay is multi-segment, which means that one wallet can have multiple users.

This can be ideally used for a corporate account.

Where valid for transaction confirmation will be required, 2 of 3 signatures.

Copay has a desktop version (downloadable), mobile and web interface.

It is also completely independent and open source.

Pros:

Multisig - allows you to improve security,
great design,
Supports multiple devices.

Minuses:

No support
Can be a little overwhelming for beginners.

is a block explorer owned by Bitmain.

The site offers several tools:

network statistics,
mining pool,
Online wallet.

The platform is similar to Blockchain.info, it is a hybrid HD wallet.

This means that it can be accessed via the Internet, but the private keys are stored on the home computer, so BTC.com cannot take them.

Transactions are signed on your device so no one can see the keys.

BTC.com also provides Multisig capabilities and is open source.

Pros:

Wide range of functions
Intuitive interface,
Open source.

Minuses:

A hot wallet controlled by Bitmain with a shaky reputation in the community.

is a mobile wallet available only for Android.

Contains Bitcoin and many additional cryptocurrencies (supported up to 287 altcoins).

Pretty simple and user-friendly interface.

The main problem is that it started as open source, but with 2016 year the code became closed, which caused a lot of questions in the community.

Pros:

A wide variety of coins are supported,
Intuitive interface.

Minuses:

closed code,
Only for Android.

Alexey Russkikh

The crypto industry is developing by leaps and bounds. And if you want to infiltrate the world of cryptocurrencies, then now is the best time. But what needs to be done for this? In fact, everything is very simple. To start your journey in the world of digital currencies, you just need to create a bitcoin wallet. We will talk about how to choose an account in BTC in this article.

What is Bitcoin Wallet?

Bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency (electronic cash) that appeared in 2009. To use and store BTC, you need to open an appropriate account. Registering a bitcoin wallet can be done in two ways:

through stationary software;
through an online service.

Each of the methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. We will talk about them in this article. But first, let's answer the question: is it worth opening a bitcoin wallet at all? Why is a BTC account better than a regular bank card or any payment system?

BTC is able to completely replace bank cards and various payment systems. After all, through bitcoins you can make purchases, pay for some services (not all yet), receive transfers, or simply store your savings.

At the same time, the cryptocurrency is devoid of the disadvantages of conventional electronic money. For example, banking systems tie their clients to a specific region and require a certain fee in the form of a commission for their services. With bitcoin, it's different. All transactions are carried out directly, without any intermediaries. In addition, the physical location of users does not play any role during money transfers. If you want to use BTC, then all you need to do is register a cryptocurrency account.

Cold and hot wallet

All bitcoin wallets can be divided into two groups: hot and cold. What is the difference between them?

Hot wallets are accounts that have constant access to the World Wide Web and the blockchain in particular. Such accounts are used by exchanges and online services to store BTC. Hot accounts have a number of advantages. Here are some of them:

Availability. Hot wallets are not tied to a specific computer. Accordingly, you can conduct transactions from anywhere in the world. All you need is to connect to the Internet and log in to the exchange (online wallet). They can be accessed from any device.
performance. Hot wallet transactions do not take long. To make transactions, you just need to go to the service that stores your bitcoins. Once logged in, you can send money almost instantly.

However, hot bills are far from perfect. They have several significant disadvantages, for example:

Fraud. No one is protected from crooks. If you give your money to an online BTC wallet, then no one can guarantee that you will receive it back. It is for this reason that you need to use only reliable and proven online storages.
Security. If someone gains access to your personal account, they will be able to freely withdraw money from there and it will be impossible to challenge this operation.

Cold wallets are accounts that are linked to your computer. They do not have a network connection. Thanks to this, cold accounts have the following advantage - security. It is impossible to enter a cold wallet through the World Wide Web. In offline mode, money is credited to the account, but not withdrawn.

Cold accounts also have disadvantages. For example, speed. If you are using Bitcoin Core, then transactions take a certain amount of time. This is due to the fact that the system must download BTC blocks to the computer before performing operations. As a rule, it takes from 20 minutes to an hour.

Weight categories of bitcoin wallets

Among other things, bitcoin accounts can be classified by weight. There are two types of wallets: "heavy" and "light". Each of them has both advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, the type of account directly depends on the client that the user uses to store cryptocurrency.

For example, "thick" wallets are more reliable. This is due to the fact that the client downloads all the blocks of the chain completely. The system automatically checks their authenticity and controls the serial communication between the blocks. This ensures safety.

You can get a "fat" wallet through the original Bitcoin Core client. Its advantages are a high level of security, stability and anonymity. Not only that, in terms of innovation, Bitcoin Core is ahead of other crypto clients. After all, this program is the first BTC client.

“Light” wallets, on the contrary, do not download the entire block chain to the PC. Due to this, such accounts are less resource-intensive. That is, they take up much less memory than "thick" ones. "Thin" accounts weigh so little that they can be moved to a flash drive without any problems.

Speaking of clients, the most popular program for creating "light" wallets is MultiBit (now acquired by KeepKey). This utility has a simple interface that is understandable at the level of intuition. In addition, the client allows you to create a wallet in Russian. The program also has a number of useful features. For example, through MultiBit, you can view the current bitcoin rate, track the cost of ongoing transactions, etc.

A paper wallet is a special document that shows a copy of the public and private keys. As a rule, a paper invoice is made in the form of a QR code. This is convenient, as the document can be quickly scanned and paid.

How to get paper bitcoins? There are several web resources on the World Wide Web that allow you to create paper invoices. Such services generate two keys:

Private is needed in order to send BTC to other accounts.
Public, on the contrary, is necessary to receive cryptocurrency.

Hardware Wallet

If you have a huge amount of bitcoins at your disposal, then it is better to turn your attention to a hardware account. What it is? A hardware wallet is a special device that acts as an offline storage. The cost of such devices, as a rule, is in the range of 100 to 200 dollars.

- 89 €, released in 2013;
KeepKey - $129, released 2015
Ledger Nano S - 79 €, release date 2016.

Why is a hardware wallet better than a PC? The fact is that the computer is not entirely reliable. If the hard drive breaks, then you will lose all your savings. It is for this reason that it is better to store all your keys on a separate device.

The best online wallets

There are many online services for storing cryptocurrencies on the Internet. It is for this reason that it is rather difficult to decide on the choice of a site. If you can not choose a good online storage, then this section will help you. We will look at the best services for creating hot accounts.

Perhaps the largest cryptocurrency storage site is Xapo. More than $40 million was invested in this platform. Moreover, such large companies as Benchmark, Ribbit Capital, etc. have invested in the service.

Xapo boasts a high level of security. The funds are stored on PCs that have never connected to the World Wide Web. Therefore, the risk of cyber theft is minimal.

Another popular online service is Blockchain Info. The website is extremely easy to use. In addition, the web resource guarantees complete anonymity. The administration does not track transactions, it is also not aware of the balance in your account. To get your wallet address, just go through the registration procedure on the site.

Mobile Wallet Apps

Recently, mobile accounts have become very popular. There are quite a few such programs. After all, it is very convenient to carry out various transactions from a smartphone. One of the most popular clients for creating mobile wallets is Bitcoin Wallet from Blockchain.

To store and spend bitcoins, you need a bitcoin wallet. Strictly speaking, bitcoins themselves are not stored anywhere, and the task of the wallet is to store digital keys that provide access to a bitcoin address and the ability to sign transactions. Remember that crypto transactions cannot be reversed, so if you plan to deal with electronic coins, you need to have a secure bitcoin wallet.

What are bitcoin wallets?

Storage methods can be different: from a piece of paper with a key written on it to modern applications. The safety of digital money depends on how thoughtful your choice is. If you lose or accidentally delete your private key, you will not be able to restore access to your wallet. That is why good wallets offer backup and reliable data protection.

Wallet types

The whole variety of wallets can be combined into several main types:

wallets for PC;
for mobile devices;
hardware;
paper wallets;
online wallets.

With the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies, bitcoin wallets have become available on all common operating systems: OS, Windows, Windows Phone, Linux, iOS, Android.

Best Bitcoin Wallets

Each wallet has its own characteristics and offers its own ways to protect data. Some of them combine, for example, mobile and desktop versions. The choice depends on how often you plan to use bitcoins, how much you plan to store and how you will spend the funds. Answer these questions in advance and decide which option is right for you.

Desktop wallets are special software that needs to be installed on a PC. Such programs are good because they offer the highest level of security. This kind of wallet can be inconvenient if you plan to actively spend bitcoins away from home. There are two types of desktop wallets:

"thin";
"thick".

To work with the "thin" does not require a powerful computer, third-party services are used to carry out operations. Thick downloads and stores the entire blockchain on the PC. Blockchain is a kind of journal that contains records of all transactions. It will take up a lot of disk space, and working with the wallet will require high system performance. Popular desktop wallets include Bitcoin Core, Multibit, Armory, Electrum, Copay, Mycelium.

Bitcoin Core is the first original created wallet, which is considered official for the Bitcoin currency system. It was created by the same company that stood at the origins of the emergence of cryptocurrency. It can not only make transactions, but also create bitcoin addresses. Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the slow operation and the lack of some useful features.

The Armory client allows you to extend the standard functionality of Bitcoin Core. The wallet offers users three modes:

standard;
advanced;
for experts.

Security is provided, including through the use of the on-screen keyboard and transactions without connecting to the network.

Multibit client refers to "thin". It is compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac OS. The program interface is Russified. The application allows you to manage multiple wallets at the same time. The functionality allows you to receive and send coins, view the balance and transaction history.

Electrum is considered the best among "thin" wallets. It provides secure data storage and allows you to recover your wallet after losing your password. When the user installs the program and selects a server, he is presented with a twelve-word English phrase called "seed". Thanks to this phrase, the wallet will not be irretrievably lost in the event of a computer breakdown or loss of the key. Versions of the program are created for all operating systems and are supported by mobile devices.

Copay is convenient to use due to the fact that the service is supported by all popular platforms. Nice design and intuitive interface makes it easy to work. You can back up your wallet.

Mobile wallets are convenient if you want to pay with bitcoin in real life. To get such a wallet, install a special application on your smartphone. If the application supports wireless data transfer, payment can be made simply by touching the device to the reader. You can find many wallets in the app store: Blockchain, BitcoinWallet, BitWallet, BreadWallet, Coinbase, HiveWallet Circle, Xapo, but the most popular one is Mycelium.

Mycelium does not require downloading the entire blockchain to work, which saves free space on your smartphone. Another feature is the high speed of work and connection. In addition to the standard options, the application offers convenient additional options: a QR scanner, an address book, and the creation of encrypted backup files. The wallet interacts with many payment systems and exchanges: Cashila, Coinapult and others.

Bitcoin Wallet is a simple and secure wallet for Android devices. Transactions do not require a centralized service. Many convenient functions: payment by QR code, displaying the balance immediately in the selected real currency, saving used addresses.

Web wallets store keys not on the user's computer, but on a remote server. The access is carried out over the network, so you can use bitcoins from any device available to you. There is a risk that the company that controls the servers will take over the bitcoins of the clients. The most popular online wallets are:

Blockchain, which is considered the most reliable, is used by more than 2,000,000 people. The service has a mobile application, its interface is translated into Russian.
Coinbase allows you to directly buy and sell coins.
BitGo has a high level of security and requires two signatures to complete the operation.
Coinkite offers to pay for mobile communications with bitcoins, they can also be sent via SMS or email.
Xapo combines server storage security with convenient data access.

Hardware wallets are special devices for storing keys. They resemble a flash drive and are connected to a USB connector.

There are several types of hardware wallets:

DigitalBitbox
KeepKey;
Trezor
ledger nano.

Each of them has a high cost, but guarantees the safety of data. Their advantage is that the keys are stored in encrypted form without access to the Internet. To use them, you need to enter a pin code. If the device breaks or the user loses it, access to the wallet can be restored using a password. This reliable and proven method of storing cryptocurrencies is more often used to store large amounts of money, when security needs to be given special attention.

Selection criteria and how to choose a wallet

The main thing that is required from an electronic wallet is to securely store your data. When choosing a suitable data storage method, think about how often you will use the wallet where you plan to pay: only on the Internet or pay for goods and services offline. In addition, several factors affect data retention.

Transaction control method

Full. You are fully responsible for the safety of funds.
Joint. The transaction requires confirmation from a third party.
Partial. A third-party service is responsible for security, but you have access to the funds.

Code transparency

Basic. Does not provide a 100% security guarantee.
Full. Open source, any developer can test the security.
Remote application. Security depends on the service from which the data is loaded.

Examination

Simplified. Takes little time, may be unsafe.
Full. Downloads the entire blockchain, takes a long time and requires a lot of free disk space, but should provide more security.
Centralized - carried out with the help of special services.

Environment security

Vulnerable. Typical for desktop wallets.
Safe. More often, these are mobile applications that store data in an isolated memory segment.

Anonymity level

Base. Information about your transactions is sent to other nodes, for privacy you cannot use Tor.
Elevated. You can use Tor, your data will not be sent to other nodes.

The summary table shows the main characteristics of the most popular wallets. To make it easier for you to make a choice.


Control method
Code transparency
Examination			simplified	simplified
Environment security	vulnerable	vulnerable	vulnerable	safe
Anonymity level	elevated	elevated

Nuances and possible problems

With all the convenience and high level of security, users may encounter a number of problems:

the wallet does not have reliable protection against theft.
changing the password does not guarantee security, because you can access with the old password using a backup;
it is possible to calculate the IP address from which the transaction was made;
the possibility of hacker attacks;
system errors.

Another important nuance: bitcoins are not banned, but not yet legalized in Russia. A bill is currently being considered that could streamline the purchase and sale of cryptocurrencies, but to date, the government and financial institutions do not regulate their circulation.

Security measures

The security of a bitcoin wallet needs to be taken care of no less than the safety of a real wallet. It is the user who is responsible for storing the keys to access the coins. There are several ways to secure funds in an e-wallet.

Use a complex password that contains letters, numbers, and symbols and is at least 16 characters long. A strong password can be generated using special programs. Take care not to forget or lose your password. A long string of characters is difficult to remember, so keep it written down in a safe place.

Encrypt your wallet. You can encrypt your wallet or smartphone using special services. This will protect the funds in the event that a stranger tries to withdraw them. This method will not protect against the actions of intruders who, using keyloggers, can track which characters you type on the keyboard.

Beware of online services. They are not yet reliable enough to store all their coins there. If you still use them, be careful about the choice and use dual authorization.

Divide funds into multiple wallets. Leave some funds in a convenient and accessible wallet, and put the rest in a more secure place. In this case, even if you become a victim of scammers, you will only lose a small amount.

Create a backup. It is impossible to exclude the possibility of an error in the operation of the system or your computer, so create a recovery copy in advance. Make copies regularly so you don't lose any of your bitcoin addresses. The copy must also be encrypted.

Use cold storage, i.e. a wallet that is not connected to the network. This is the safest way to keep your savings. To do this, you either need to purchase a special hardware device, or sign transactions on a computer disconnected from the network.