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Wallets & Security

Your keys, your responsibility. Learn how crypto wallets work, how to back up a seed phrase and how to spot the scams that drain accounts.

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A hardware wallet with a blank screen, a steel plate and a padlock glow red on a dark navy background beside the guide title.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerWhat is an MPC wallet and how does it work?An MPC wallet splits a private key among parties who sign together without combining shares. It differs from seed phrase and multisig wallets.

Vahe Hakobyan3 min readRead guide

All Wallets & Security guides

Every guide in this topic, labelled by level.

The title What is a cold wallet over a dark navy background with a hardware wallet, steel plate and padlock in red light.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerWhat is a cold wallet in cryptocurrency?A cold wallet stores crypto private keys offline, away from the internet. A hardware device signs transactions, and a written phrase restores the keys.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title What is a cryptocurrency wallet appears over a dark desk with a hardware wallet, steel plate and padlock in red glow.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerWhat Is a Cryptocurrency Wallet and What Does It Control?A cryptocurrency wallet stores the keys that let you send, receive, and control crypto; the coins stay on the blockchain, not in the wallet.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title What is a crypto seed phrase over a dark desk with a steel backup plate, a padlock and a hardware wallet with a blank screen.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerWhat Is a Crypto Seed Phrase and How Does It Work?A crypto seed phrase is a word list that restores a wallet and its private keys. Store it offline, since anyone who sees it can control the wallet's funds.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title Is cryptocurrency safe? over a dark navy scene with a hardware wallet, steel plate, padlock and shield lit in red.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerIs cryptocurrency safe? What decides your riskNo, cryptocurrency is not uniformly safe. Safety depends on the asset, the wallet, and the platform, and exchange balances are not FDIC-insured.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

A vault with scattered blank coins and a padlock illustrates the difficulty of recovering stolen cryptocurrency.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerHow to recover stolen cryptocurrencyLearn why stolen crypto usually cannot be returned, which agencies to report a theft to, and how to spot a recovery scam before you pay a fee.2 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

Best cryptocurrency wallet guide title over a dark scene with a hardware wallet, steel plate and red padlock.

Wallets & SecurityIntermediateBest cryptocurrency wallet: How to compare optionsThere is no single best cryptocurrency wallet. Compare custody, offline storage, supported coins, transaction costs and recovery features first.4 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The guide title Cryptocurrency scam over a dark navy background with blank coins, a shattered glass case and torn paper lit in red

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerCryptocurrency scams: how to spot and report oneA cryptocurrency scam is fraud that uses crypto to take your money, and payments usually cannot be reversed. Report losses to the FTC and IC3.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

A dark navy scene with a phone, steel plate, padlock, blank paper and pen lit by red glow on the right, left side empty

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerHow to create a cryptocurrency wallet safelyCreate a crypto wallet by installing an official app, setting a strong password, and writing the recovery phrase on paper. It holds keys, not coins.4 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

A dark navy desk with blank glowing screens, a padlock and a magnifying glass, with red light streaks and an empty left side

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerCryptocurrency fraud investigation: what it is and what to doA crypto fraud investigation traces stolen coins to identify suspects, but refunds are not guaranteed. Report to the FTC, IC3, and state regulators.4 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

A dark desk with a phone, laptop, steel plate, padlock and paper note lit by red glow, with the guide title over it.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerCryptocurrency wallet app: what it does and how to use it safelyA wallet app stores your private keys and lets you send, receive, and view crypto. The blockchain records ownership, not the app, and malware is a risk.4 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The guide title over a dark navy desk with a phone, a metal hardware wallet and paper.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerHot vs cold crypto wallets: how they differHot wallets stay online for easy spending, while cold wallets keep keys offline for lower risk. This guide shows how to set up each.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

A hardware wallet with a blank screen and a steel plate on a dark desk, lit by red accents

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerCryptocurrency hardware wallet: what it is and how it worksA hardware wallet keeps your crypto private keys offline and signs transactions inside the device. The recovery phrase, not the device, restores access.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title sits over a dark desk with a hardware wallet, a steel plate and a padlock lit by a faint red glow.

Wallets & SecurityIntermediateBest multi cryptocurrency wallet: how to compare optionsThe best multi cryptocurrency wallet depends on hot or cold key storage, not coin count. Coin and network support changes, so check the maker's list.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title Cryptocurrency scam recovery over a dark navy desk with a padlock, blank cards and a pen in red light

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerCryptocurrency scam recovery: what you can do after a lossNo service can guarantee recovery of crypto sent to a scammer. Report the loss to the FTC and the FBI's IC3 with wallet addresses and transaction hashes.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

A dark navy desk with a glowing red chat bubble on a phone, a blank gift box and rose petals, leaving the left side empty for the title.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerCrypto Romance Scams: What They Are and How to ReportA crypto romance scam is a fake romance that persuades you to send crypto. Scammers often use fake exchange apps that show profits and block withdrawals.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The guide title over a dark desk with a hardware wallet, steel plate, padlock and shield lit in red.

Wallets & SecurityIntermediateBest cryptocurrency hardware wallet: how to compareNo single hardware wallet is best; compare coin support, backup, security, and usability before buying. Check the maker's current list and buy direct.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

Best cold wallet for cryptocurrency guide title over a dark navy background with a hardware device and steel plate on the right.

Wallets & SecurityIntermediateBest cold wallet for cryptocurrency: how to compare optionsNo single cold wallet is best. Compare offline key storage, coin support, and recovery, then verify packaging and firmware and keep your phrase offline.4 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title Cryptocurrency custody service over a dark navy vault with a steel safe door open on blank key plates and a glowing glass cube.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerCryptocurrency custody services: who holds your keysA cryptocurrency custody service holds your crypto and its private keys, so you own a legal claim, not the keys. It is not FDIC or SIPC insured.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

Cryptocurrency fraud recovery title over a dark navy desk with a blank phone, padlock, blank papers and a pen lit by red light

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerCrypto fraud recovery: what it can and cannot doCrypto fraud recovery tries to trace stolen crypto, but refunds are rare. Report to the FTC and IC3, then lock down any wallet you still control.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title Secure wallet for cryptocurrency over a dark navy scene with a hardware wallet, steel plate and padlock on the right.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerSecure wallet for cryptocurrency: keys and safetyA secure crypto wallet puts the keys in your hands, not the coins. Custodial services hold those keys for you; cold wallets keep them offline.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

Cryptocurrency fraud prevention title over a dark navy background with blank paper, a padlock, a hardware wallet and a shield in red light

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerCryptocurrency fraud prevention: how to spot and stop scamsCrypto fraud prevention means spotting a scam before you send funds or share a key. Report losses to the FTC and the FBI's IC3. Keep transaction IDs.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

A hardware wallet with a blank screen, a steel plate, a padlock, and a shield on a dark navy desk with red glow.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerHow to create a cold wallet for cryptocurrencyTo create a cold wallet, use a hardware device that generates keys offline, then write the recovery phrase on paper or metal and keep it private.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

A hardware wallet, steel plate, and padlock on a dark navy desk with red glowing accents, left side empty, title only.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerHow to choose between a hot wallet and a cold walletChoose a hot wallet for daily spending and a cold wallet for value you rarely move, then check coin support and keep the recovery phrase offline.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The guide title over a dark desk with a hardware wallet, steel plate, padlock and shield tag in red light.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerHow to set up a hardware wallet safelySet up a hardware wallet yourself, buy from the maker, check the packaging, and use the official app. Keep the recovery phrase offline and private. Never type or share it with anyone.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

How to back up a crypto wallet recovery phrase, with a hardware wallet, steel plate, padlock and shield in the right half over a dark navy background.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerHow to back up your crypto wallet recovery phraseWrite your recovery phrase on paper or metal, in order, keep copies in separate places, and test the backup before you rely on it to restore your funds.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The guide title over a dark navy scene with a blank steel plate, a screenless hardware wallet, blank paper and a padlock in red light

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerWhere should you store a seed phrase?Store a seed phrase offline on paper or metal, never as a digital file, and keep fireproof and waterproof backups in separate secure places.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

A guide titled What happens if you lose a seed phrase over a dark navy scene with a steel plate, hardware wallet and padlock.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerWhat happens if you lose a seed phrase?Losing a seed phrase does not erase crypto while your wallet still works, but a reset device cannot be restored without it. No company can regenerate it.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title sits over a dark desk with a hardware wallet, steel plate, padlock and shield lit by red light.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerWhat happens if a hardware wallet breaks?A broken hardware wallet does not erase your crypto. The blockchain holds it, and your recovery phrase usually restores access on a new device.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

How to restore a crypto wallet on a new device title over a dark desk with a blank hardware wallet, steel plate and padlock.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerHow to restore a crypto wallet on a new deviceYou restore a crypto wallet by importing its recovery phrase into the official app or hardware restore flow. Check addresses before sending funds.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The guide title, How to verify a wallet address before sending crypto, over a dark desk with a blank hardware wallet, a steel plate and a padlock.

Wallets & SecurityBeginnerHow to verify a wallet address before sending cryptoTo verify a wallet address before sending crypto, copy it from a trusted source, compare the full string, confirm the network, and send a test.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

Questions

Short answers to what people ask most.

Software or a device that holds the private keys to your coins. The coins stay on the blockchain; the keys let you sign the transactions that move them.

A hot wallet stays connected to the internet and suits spending. A cold wallet, such as a hardware device, keeps the keys offline and suits long-term storage.

Offline keys are out of reach of malware on your computer, but a lost seed phrase, a fake wallet app or a signed malicious approval can still cost you the coins. Test your backup before you rely on it.

If the wallet device is also lost or reset, the coins cannot be recovered. Anyone who finds the phrase can take them, so keep it offline and out of sight.

Rarely. Crypto transactions cannot be reversed, so recovery depends on an exchange freezing the funds or on law enforcement. Recovery services that ask for fees upfront are a common scam.

Warning signs: giveaways that ask you to send coins first, support agents who contact you, lookalike addresses in your history and sites that ask you to sign approvals you do not understand.