Bitcoins don’t have a specific storage place, so bitcoin wallets give bitcoin owners a spot to store their investments. Everyone who has a bitcoin balance has a private key that correspond’s with their wallet’s address. Through that wallet, the owner can send and receive bitcoins, essentially offering ownership rights of a given bitcoin balance.

In addition to controlling your bitcoins, you can buy bitcoin with bitcoin wallet. Also known as a digital wallet, these software programs are used for buying, receiving, and trading bitcoins. Your bitcoin wallet secures critical information, such as the secret key you use to access the bitcoin addresses to carry out transactions.

There are different types of bitcoin wallets. The choicesvary in terms of convenience, security, and accessibility.

Hardware wallet

This type of wallet stores the user’s information on a hardware device plugged into the computer via a USB cable. It is by far the most immune option when it comes to cyber hacks, theft, and virus attacks. However, these devices are not free;the purchase price runs an estimated $100 to $200.

Paper wallet

A paper wallet contains the secret key and the bitcoin address for making transactions. Most paper wallets usually print in QR codes that facilitate quick scanning whereby you add the keys in software to make a transaction. For instance, services like bitcoin paper wallet allow users to generate a paper wallet and come up with a random bitcoin address with its secret key.

The most significant benefit of using a paper wallet is that the details are storedonpaper offline; hence it reduces the risks of cyber hacks. However, you can lose or misplace that sheet of paper, creating some real potential losses.

Desktop wallet

You can download a desktop wallet and install it on your computer, thus storing the security keys in your hard disk. Desktop wallets are an ideal solution for users who trade bitcoins in small amounts. Although they are more secure than online and mobile wallets, they are prone to theft as they still have a connection to the computer. Multibit and bitcoin core are examples of desktop wallet.

Mobile wallet

A mobile wallet functions as an app on your smartphone. The app stores your private keys and allows you to easily access your bitcoins to pay for goods in stores or trade them. Most bitcoin wallets are either iOSor android compatible, and they primarily employ either a QR scanning method or touch-to-pay methodof facilitating payment.

The biggest limitation with a mobile wallet is that there is a lot of malware posing as bitcoin wallet apps to hack your bitcoin address and key. Additionally, it is subject to cyberattacks, and, you can quickly lose your data if someone accesses your phone.

Web Wallet

With a web wallet (or an e-wallet), you store your bitcoin address and security key in a website server online controlled by a third party. Different servers offer different options; for instance, the server can link and replicate it to your mobile, desktop, or any other personal device.

The web wallet allows users to access their funds in real-time through any internet-connected device.

The web wallet limitation is that a dishonest web server can access and take control of all your funds. In addition to that, most e-wallets function on exchanges, and there are cases in which an exchange shuts off and takes off with the user’s funds.

Which Is Right For You?

The most important thing is to find a type that will keep your wallet safe as hackers and thieves highly target bitcoin wallets.