All Cryptocurrency Wallet Types, Explained (2019) | Hobo with a Laptop (2024)

Choosing one or more cryptocurrency wallet types is your first step to sending or receiving cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dash, or Litecoin.

Now that we’ve looked at how to get cryptocurrency, let’s explore all 5 different cryptocurrency wallet types –and the advantages and disadvantages for each.

Related Cryptocurrency Terms

Before we begin looking at each of the cryptocurrency wallet types, there are a few additional crypto terms you’ll need to understand first.

Hot Wallet vs Cold Wallet

The difference between a hot or cold wallet is simply whether or not these different crypto wallet types are connected to the internet.

Hot wallets are less secure cryptocurrency wallets because of the risk internet access poses to your privacy and security, however they are much more user-friendly.

Cold wallets are a crypto wallet type used for the “cold storage” of cryptocurrencies, and are stored offline for improved security. They’re more like a real-world safe or a vault than a leather wallet you carry with you for day to day transactions.

You will likely use cryptocurrency wallet types that are connected to the internet and wallets that aren’t, depending on your needs –a hot wallet for small day-to-day transactions, and a cold wallet for long term holding.

Public and Private Keys

Put very simply, cryptocurrency is represented by an entry in the blockchain associated to a public key.

In order to move currency around, exchange it, make a purchase with it, or convert it back to FIAT money, your private key is required to unlock it. Typically, your private key is stored within your wallet, or online.

If you lose your private key, your cryptocurrency is lost. This is why it is very important to consider how your private keys are stored.

In other words, Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies don’t get hacked –the devices that store private keys do. Some wallets keep these private keys offline, and other wallets or exchanges often hold them for you online.

This is why it is up to you to decide how you want your private key to be managed, and you decide this when you choose your cryptocurrency wallet type.

Multisig Wallet

A multisig cryptocurrency wallet, also known as a “multisignature” wallet, refers to a cryptocurrency wallets types that require input from multiple parties in order to complete a transaction.

Consider types of cryptocurrency wallet that use multisig technology like a shared bank account, where all parties need to enter their PIN or order to complete a transaction. A multisig wallet is ideal for use by families and businesses alike.

Multi-Currency Wallet

Some wallets only hold one type of cryptocurrency, while others will allow you to store multiple types of cryptocurrencies in one place –wallets for all cryptocurrency.

For example, a wallet like Exodus can store several currencies such as Bitcoin, Ether, EOS, Dash, and others.

Additionally, some cryptowallets will also allow you to convert “cryptocurrency A” into “cryptocurrency B”. So if you would like to take your Bitcoin and convert it to Ether, you can do this inside specific wallets that havee this feature. This is accomplished through an integration with a third party called ShapeShift.

If your multi-currency wallet cannot convert the cryptocurrencies that it contains, you will need to take additional steps to accomplish this online. This is why it is important to look for ShapeShift integration for your hot wallet before you get started.

The 5 Crypto Wallet Types

Cryptocurrency wallets can be divided into five types and each comes with varying levels of security to ensure the safety of your private keys; online (web), mobile, desktop, hardware, and paper wallets.

Now that you have a little foundation of terms related to cryptowallets, let’s take a look at the 5 different types of cryptocurrency wallets, their advantages, and their disadvantages.

1. What is an Online Wallet? (Web Wallet)

Online wallets are typically cryptocurrency wallets that you access via your web browser. In some cases people refer to all hot wallets as online wallets, but that only gets confusing when we start to discuss individual platforms that your wallet resides on, such as mobile or desktop wallets. Do not put the bulk of your crypto onto these wallets –trust me.

If you don’t know what a “honeypot” is, understand that online exchanges and online wallets are incredibly attractive to hackers and they work much harder to f*ck with them. It happens, you’ve been warned.

Advantages:

• Fastest way to complete transactions (no lag between locations of app and server)
• Ideal for holding small amounts of cryptocurrency
• Some are able to manage multiple cryptocurrencies, transfer amounts between them, or be directly integrated into an exchange
• TOR network can be used for more privacy

Disadvantages:

• Users are susceptible to phishing scams, malware, insider hacking, DDOS attacks, and outdated security measures
• Your wallet is “out of your hands” and coin information is stored on a third-party
• Your computer is open to malware, keyloggers, and viruses (never use an internet café, never view p*rn, keep your software updated, get Avira or AVG and MalwareBytes, read org and keep up with the latest geek news).

Examples: Exchanges like Bittrex or QuadrigaCX, and online wallets like Coins.ph and GreenAddress.

2. What is a Mobile Wallet?

Mobile wallets provide access to your cryptocurrencies wherever you are with your mobile device and provide additional features above and beyond wallets that are completely internet-based, however they also come with additional security risks.

Advantages:

• More practical and easier to use than other crypto wallet types, great to accept or send payments on the fly
• Additional features above and beyond both online and hardware wallets like QR code scanning
• TOR network can be used for more privacy

Disadvantages:

• Phones are incredibly insecure devices –nothing will save your crypto if your phone has been maliciously compromised or rooted, not even wallet app encryption
• Your phone is open to malware, keyloggers, and viruses

Examples: Jaxx, BreadWallet, Mycelium, and CoPay.

3. What is a Desktop Wallet?

A desktop cryptocurrency wallet is considered somewhat more secure than both an online (web) wallet and mobile wallet, however that depends on your commitment to online security.

In cases where you use an older laptop, completely offline, on a clean operating system install –you could consider this a really effective cold storage method. Like phones, most people have an older laptop floating around and this could be a great use for it.

Advantages:

• Incredibly easy to use crypto wallet type
• If “never been kissed” by an internet connection this is a great cold storage solution
• Private keys not stored on a third-party server
• TOR network can be used for more privacy

Disadvantages:

• If connected to the internet there are security and privacy caveats
• Computer repair people! If you rely on the Nerd Squad, they could make away with your coins
• If you forget to back it up and your computer dies, you’re f*cked
• Your computer is open to malware, keyloggers, and viruses
• Some wallets ask for really strange privacy permissions (security certificates)

Examples: Exodus, Multibit, Armory, and Bitcoin Core.

Best Laptop for Crypto Cold Storage

It’s common to get a standalone, air-gapped (not connected to the internet) laptop for crypto cold storage –a laptop that you don’t use for anything elsebuta crypto wallet, or lightweight crypto mining rig.

The best laptop store crypto will have a supported, secure operating system such as Ubuntu, Mac OS (albeit far too pricey for a crypto laptop if you ask me), or Chrome OS (Chromebook), Android and be generally inexpensive.

Using a new, seperate laptop for a crypto wallet will probably mean you don’t need the most powerful specs –just something that is durable and can do the job.

1. Xiaomi Air 13.3″ Laptop

The Xiaomi Air laptop is my favourite Windows/Ubuntu laptop on the market; it’s lightweight, got great specs, optional fingerprint sensor for security, and it runs Ubuntu really well (I know this from experience). It may be a little outside of the best crypto laptop price range, starting at $900 USD+, but it’s definitely good value for money if you do.

2.Huawei MateBook X 13″

Huawei has been making some really high quality Android smart phones in recent years, and they’ve ported that experience into some serious bang for the buck with the Matebook X —coming in at a mere $800 USD with a software bundle and a dock.

This crypto laptop selection was made with Windows users in mind, as Ubuntu doesn’t seem to be working perfectly just yet(although it’s been done).

3. 12.5″ Asus Chromebook Flip (under $500!)

Few can disagree that albeit a little limited, a Chromebook with ChromeOS is a very secure, lightweight device that works with USB crypto wallets from Ledger and Trezor. This best-selling laptop for crypto wallet is only $464 USD!

Casual users will find the Chromebook to be a very safe, reliable crypto laptop. This particular Asus Flip Chromebook model also features an all-metal body, 12.5″ touch screen, and incredibly battery-friendly specs. Only pick this one up if you’re truly looking for a single function crypto laptop wallet that’s more akin to a netbook.

4. What is a Hardware Wallet?

Hardware wallets are slightly less user-friendly cryptocurrency wallets than web wallets and desktop wallets, but they’re easier to work with than paper wallets and more secure than hot wallets (most of the time). Say that 10 times fast!

Some require batteries, some don’t. Some have screens which mean you don’t need an insecure computer to back up your private keys, some don’t. Some handle hard forks better than others (Trezor had a short-lived issue during the BCH fork, Ledger Nano had no issues –any issue during a hard fork can be an emotional rollercoaster), and they all are often sold out, so snatch one up while you can if they’re available.

They are great for storing large amounts of cryptocurrency you don’t need to move around often, and they offer more control.

Advantages:

• If it has a screen, it’s the most secure way to store crypto long-term
• Stronger security than all other wallets, for the most part

Disadvantages:

• Cumbersome for some beginners to use, but an absolute must for large quantities of cryptocurrencies
• Often sold out, Amazon is your best bet

Examples: We recommend any product by Ledger, although Trezor and KeepKey are really great solutions (fanboys exist on all sides for their own valid reasons, do your research, read their reviews).

5. What is a Paper Wallet?

Before hardware wallets, paper wallets were the defacto standard for cold storage of cryptocurrencies. There are paper wallets and then there are secure paper wallets.

Advantages:

• One of the most hacker-proof crypto wallet choices
• Not stored on a computer
• Private keys not stored on a third party server

Disadvantages:

• More effort required to move cryptocurrencies around
• More technical understand required

Examples: BitAddress.org and Bitcoin Armory can help you create and print your paper wallet.

Understanding Crypto Wallets

There’s no “my dad is stronger than your dad” when it comes to any cryptocurrency wallet –just as there isn’t with altcoins themselves. Knowing what you want to accomplish with your cryptocurrencies is the first step to understanding crypto wallets. Let the purpose dictate the solution, enough said.

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