Bitcoin has revolutionized the financial space ever since its debut back in 2009. The biggest digital coin has also been an asset in demand over the past years as it continues to unlock new possibilities in the financial world. Regardless of its volatility and bittersweet journey, Bitcoin continues to appreciate in value, cementing its place as an asset here to stay. With its adoption now off the roof, many new investors are expected to jump aboard, all with hopes of reaping some of the numerous benefits Bitcoin offers.
Bitcoin’s journey however can’t be mentioned without Bitcoin wallets. Bitcoin wallets have served as a bridge linking Bitcoin and investors, by storing the digital asset of investors as well as providing a safe environment to store Bitcoin. A Bitcoin wallet stores your Bitcoin or digital asset and validates your transactions when you’re using your Bitcoin. A Bitcoin wallet also keeps personal information, such as a private key which is used to validate transactions when making purchases or exchanging your digital currency for another currency.
There are many Bitcoin wallets in the crypto space with each wallet, with each claiming to be the perfect fit for investors looking to store their digital coins. Bitcoin wallets may differ in so many ways with regards to features such as security, the ability to store more cryptocurrencies, trading options, and many more.
This year has been a wild year for Bitcoin. The biggest cryptocurrency climbed to its all-time high before losing half of that value with the next 30 days. One thing however remains the same and that’s the enormous interest in owning a part of the biggest cryptocurrency on the market. This piece talks about some of the best Bitcoin wallets out there that would be worth considering for investors.
Coinbase
Founded in June 2012, by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam, Coinbase is the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States and one of the oldest and largest across the globe. Coinbase started as a Bitcoin brokerage service, selling Bitcoin directly to customers before adding additional services throughout the years. Coinbase is licensed and fully regulated and offers a wide range of products or services including cryptocurrency investing, an advanced trading platform, custodial accounts for institutions, a digital wallet for retail investors, and its own U.S. dollar stable-coin. Coinbase is operational in all U.S. states except Hawaii. Coinbase comes with a simplistic but modern interface alongside attractive security features.
Trading and transaction fees range from 0.5% to 4.5% depending on the payment method, cryptocurrency type, transaction size, and platform. Other fees may apply. The wallet has a minimum trade requirement of just $2.
Pros
1. Large Currencies and Payment Methods
Coinbase accepts many payment methods including Wire transfer (ACH in the US and SEPA in the EU) Credit cards, (new cards are not currently accepted) Debit cards, Cryptocurrency deposits, and withdrawal PayPal (withdrawal only). The wallet also supports 28 digital coins including Bitcoin, XRP, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Chainlink, and a large variety of altcoins to choose from.
2. Cryptocurrency is insured in any event website is hacked or compromised
Coinbase has stated that all of the cryptocurrencies it holds online on its platform are insured. The crypto exchange holds less than 2% of client funds online, with the rest stored in offline cold storage to protect it from any cyber-attack. In any situation, if the platform was to suffer an attack, “the insurance policy would payout to cover any customer funds lost as a result.” The insurance according to Coinbase however only covers losses related to Coinbase cybersecurity or employee theft. Individual Coinbase accounts in cases eg. When your password gets compromised, are not covered.
3. Mobile app
Coinbase has a mobile app for both iOS and Android, arguably the two biggest operating systems across the globe. The apps boast of many of the same functions and features as the desktop site.
4. A large number of Supported Countries
Coinbase offers its services in 100 countries across the globe including the United States, Canada the U.K, South Africa, and Australia.
5. Advanced security features
Coinbase is equipped with strong security measures including a two-factor verification process and requires ID verification for linked bank accounts.
6. Simple user interface.
Cons
1. User does not control wallet keys
Coinbase has control over a user’s purchase as cryptocurrencies are stored in a wallet controlled by the exchange. Users do not have autonomous control over their assets, which can be avoided if investors withdraw their digital currency onto a hard wallet.
2. High Fees
Coinbase’s fees compared to that of its strong competitors are considerably high. Newbies who use the standard Coinbase platform will be subjected to these fees unless they switch to Coinbase Pro. Making a transaction through a Bank Account attracts a 1.49% fee, whiles Coinbase USD Wallet also attracts the same fee. Debit/Credit Card has a 3.99% fee, ACH Transfer is Free, Wire Transfer comes with a $10 fee ($25 outgoing) whiles Crypto Conversion demands a 2.00% fee.
3. Affiliate reward abuse
Coinbase reportedly doesn’t always pay its referral program partners.
Blockchain.com Wallet
Blockchain, the parent company of the Blockchain Wallet (not to be confused with the general decentralized digital ledger) is a Luxembourg-based company that was launched in 2011. The company provides a plethora of cryptocurrency-related services including Bitcoin data, statistics, and other metrics, blockchain exploration services, and of course a Bitcoin wallet (the focus of today’s piece.) Blockchain acquired Zero Block LLC in 2013, a company that specialized in mobile apps, which led to the creation of the Blockchain wallet. In that same year, Blockhain.com Wallet was the world’s most downloaded Bitcoin-related app.
Blockchain.com’s Wallet is completely free to use and has become one of the well-known and respected Bitcoin wallets in the world. The wallet automatically deducts an appropriate transaction fee from your funds based on the size of the transaction and the level of network activity at the time. The wallet however gives users the option to choose their Bitcoin transaction fee under the “Customize Fee” setting. Higher transaction fees will yield faster validation for transactions.
The Bitcoin wallet boasts a nice interface and friendly usability. Blockchain.com Wallets offers 21 different language options extending its reach to different parts of the world. Blockchain.com wallet is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and allows users to create a new digital wallet or pair an existing wallet on a mobile device. Users can also easily pair their wallets with a mobile device by scanning a QR code.
Pros
1. Advanced Security Features
The Bitcoin wallet boasts of a very high level of security protecting the funds and investors of its users. The security system in place consists of three levels which include a 2-step verification.
Level 1 – The first level involves an email verification process which is required each time you log into your Bitcoin wallet. A login code is sent to the email associated with the account to confirm payment and any other transactions as well as an unusual activity on the wallet such as logging in with a different device. There’s also a secret passphrase that is required in any case a user losses his or her password.
Level 2 – The second level of security is a 2-factor verification system that is linked to the phone number of a user.
Level 3 – The third level of security allows a user to “block Tor request”, which is a feature designed to block IP addresses coming from the Tor network. Tor is an anonymous tool often used to access the dark web with the aid of a Tor browser. Blockchain.com wallet also automatically generates a new wallet address after each digital transaction.
2. Low Transaction fees
Blockchain wallet’s transaction fees against that of its competitors are very low. The crypto wallet guarantees that if you’re using their wallet, you will have the lowest buying, selling, and trading fees in the crypto space.
3. You can buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly through your Blockchain wallet.
4. The parent company is based in Luxembourg, a reputable country with legal structures that protects individual privacy and strong regulation.
5. The option of viewing your account balance in local currency
Cons
1. There’s no option to purchase cryptocurrencies with fiat currency directly through Blockchain Wallet.
2. Verification process is lengthy and might take at least a few days.
3. Centralization
Blockchain wallet is a centralized one and is governed by the company. As a result of that, the wallet offers low anonymity and also stores your private keys on their servers.
Ledger
Ledger is a premium hardware cryptocurrency wallet built to keep your digital wealth as secure as possible. The Ledger Nano S is regarded by many as the most secure way to store your cryptocurrency, with regards to the company’s security protocols. The ledger wallet is a physical USB storage wallet or device unlike many online crypto e-wallets but allows users to easily access their digital funds. The cold wallet offers security offline, a feature that has contributed to its success over the years.
The Ledger hardware wallet is compatible with over 107 digital currencies, and over 1,100 tokens including popular coins, such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Dogecoin (DOGE), Litecoin (LTC), and Cardano (ADA). Although users of the hardware wallet can’t store fiat currencies on it, stablecoins are supported.
Users of the ledger Nano S wallet can only access it Live via Windows, Linux, a Mac desktop, or an advanced Android device. Users can manage moreover 1,800 tokens and coins when using the Ledger Live mobile app and it is compatible with over 50 wallets. There are however some digital assets that can be stored on your USB wallet but won’t appear on your Ledger Live app. Such digital assets include Binance Coin (BNB) Cardano (ADA) Nem (XEM) EOS (EOS) and Monero (XMR).
The USB device works with the Ledger Live application, which performs a similar function to an exchange where investors buy, sell, and stake cryptocurrencies. Users also have the option of using a hard wallet for security purposes and can transfer their assets and keep their crypto in secure offline storage.
Pros
1. Security System
Ledger has a custom-built OS (BOLOS) and CC EAL5+ certified Secure Element (SE) chip to make sure the hardware is as resilient as it could be. The security of the digital wallet has also been audited and verified by the French national cybersecurity agency (ANSSI). The wallet also ensures some personal security measures which include a minimum of four digits for the pin code, a 24-word recovery phrase that only shows up on your device, and not the apps as well as users having to push both physical device buttons at once to purchase any altcoin.
2. An affordable cold wallet
Ledger’s Nano S is priced at $59, a price relatively lower than several of its competitors making it a good low-cost, highly secure option.
3. Private keys never leave the device
The Ledger Nano S wallet allows users to hold their private keys without the interference of any third party such as hot wallets through cryptocurrency exchanges. The private keys are never removed from the device or accessible via the web.
4. Large number of supported cryptocurrencies
The wallet supports over 1,100 coins and tokens giving users the option to store several digital assets on them.
5. Protection against physical damage
The Ledger Nano S wallet is built with highly durable materials including a cover made from stainless steel. The device is not easily damaged making your assets stored on it safe.
Cons
1. Inconvenience
Users would need to insert the USB wallet into a desktop device before making a transaction which takes more time unlike using a software wallet, which requires little time and effort to transfer funds.
2. Limited storage for crypto apps
The Ledger Nano S wallet offers storage for only six cryptocurrencies app depending on the size. Since most digital coins require a crypto application to function, it may limit the number of cryptos an investor can hold on them.
3. Not as mobile-friendly as other wallets
The crypto wallet isn’t as mobile-friendly as others. The Ledger Nano S is not equipped with Bluetooth and requires a USB cable to connect to a computer or Android device.
4. The display is small and isn’t a touchscreen
The hardware is just 0.685 inches and comes with two physical buttons unlike other wallets with touchscreens and modern technological features.
Trust Crypto Wallet
Trust crypto wallet is an open-source, decentralized, mobile crypto wallet that supports over that allows users and traders to stake their funds to earn interest. The wallet was initially created to store ERC20 and ERC223 tokens only but has since shaped into one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. Trust crypto wallet now supports over 160,000 crypto assets and blockchain projects including household names in the crypto space.
The crypto wallet has a built-in Web3 browser that allows users to buy cryptocurrencies through the wallet’s partnership with Kyber Network’s native DEX (decentralized exchange). Trust Crypto wallet also allows users to access the various DApps (decentralized applications) built on the Ethereum platform directly via the Trust Wallet app.
The crypto wallet from Binance now boasts of over 5 million active users and a beginner-friendly interface. Trust crypto wallet has over the years been lauded for its versatility as the wallet has an app that is free to download for both iOS and Android. The software is regarded by market experts as of the best as its code was written in the native languages of each platform thus Swift for iOS and Java for Android.
Trust crypto wallet was acquired by Binance in their first public acquisition back in July 2018. The wallet just like many others requires a fee before any transaction which fluctuates based on market demand and network capacity as well as varies depending on the network of choice (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance, Smart Chain, etc.)
Users will however be charged a third-party fiat-to-crypto provider’s fee by MoonPay, and Simplex when buying crypto with a credit card. The wallet doesn’t charge any other additional fee including when swapping cryptos for another in the in-app DEX. Trust Crypto Wallet’s app is free to use with no charges to download.
Pros
1. User-friendly Interface
Trust crypto wallet was built with users in mind. The platform offers an easy-to-use interface and a simplistic but modern dashboard design.
2. Option to buy crypto with card
Trust crypto wallet allows users to buy any cryptocurrency of their choice with a credit card. Transactions with credit cards are also at a fast rate and only take a couple of minutes.
3. Decentralized apps (DApps) browser
Trust Wallet has an inbuilt DApps browser to help users find other businesses and vendors who accept cryptocurrency in exchange for their goods and services. Android users can also safely interact with DApps from within the wallet.
4. Security and Privacy
Trust Wallet employs security measures including a fingerprint scanning option, pin code scanning to make sure users’ funds are safe and secured. The wallet is decentralized and also gives users complete control with access to private keys.
5. Trust Crypto wallet NFTs
NFTs which have become a huge market this year are supported within the crypto app. These cryptocurrency collectibles are associated with a public address and are secured on the Blockchain within the wallet. In other to store NFTs within the app, users will have to click on the ‘Receive’ button on the app’s dashboard and will be prompted with a QR code and address to send across to.
Cons
1. No desktop support
The Trust wallet app is only available for mobile devices and does not support PC or Mac desktop computers. Users are therefore forced to access the app only on their mobile devices.
2. No 2-factor Authentication
Regardless of some of the impressive security measures put in place by the wallet, there’s no 2-factor authentication which any believed could add an extra layer of security to the app.
3. No documentation
Some users and investors have highlighted the absence of software documentation about several digital coins and rely on external sources to study coins.
Meta Mask
Meta Mask is an Ethereum wallet that doubles as a browser extension that can be used on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Brave browsers, connects these browsers to the Ethereum blockchain, Binance Smart Chain, and other blockchains which enables users to store keys for Ether and ERC-20 tokens across the supported browsers. The wallet is designed for receiving, transferring, and managing digital coins and tokens. Meta Mask is also linked to two crypto exchanges, Coinbase and ShapeShift which gives users the option to directly purchase Ether from both exchanges, and ERC-20 tokens from the ShapeShift.
The crypto wallet allows users to store NFTs, crypto art, and other crypto collectibles. Meta Mask wallet app also supports both IOS and Android operating systems and boasts of over 1 million users worldwide, giving its users total control when interacting on the new decentralized web. Meta Mask wallet is open source, making its code available to everyone across the globe.
The crypto app generates passwords and keys on your device and only gives the owner access to the account and data with an option of sharing what you want to share without any interference from any third party. Meta mask wallet also allows users to send and receive a host of other coins from different chains and allows users to customize the chain they want to receive from.
Pros
1. Simple user interface
Meta Mask has a minimalistic yet updated interface. Its home screen is friendly to new users and shows your list of assets with your balance for each asset alongside the ‘send’, ‘receive’, and ‘swap’ assets buttons.
2. DeFi and hardware wallet options
Meta Mask wallet supports DeFi apps, which have been a huge success this year in the crypto space.
3. NFT Crypto Art and Collectibles Storage option
4. Browser integration option
The wallet’s integration with Chromium-based web browsers has been a standout feature, making the wallet one of the favorites on the market. Meta Mask can also be configured to run on multiple Ethereum L2 sidechains including Polygon, BSC, Avalanche, and xDAI.
Cons
1. Difference between the two versions of the app
Meta Mask wallet has been under criticism for both its desktop version of the app and the mobile version. Both the iOS and android version also sometimes becomes slow and laggy.
2. Pages occasionally take a while to load which sometimes can be frustrating.
3. Bad Customer support. Meta Mask has reportedly been ignoring request auto-answer.