Page Index
Cold Wallets & Hot Wallets
How to choose the right category?
Use Hardware Wallets (e.g., Trezor, Ledger) as a long-term vault: they are physical devices that keep your funds offline and safe from any virus or hacker. Use Hot Wallets (e.g., Rabby, Phantom) as your "everyday wallet" on your smartphone or browser: perfect for quick trades or interacting with Web3, but never keep your life savings there.
The Golden Rule: Seed Phrase Setup
Your funds do NOT live inside the hardware wallet. Cryptocurrencies exist only on the Blockchain. The wallet (both physical and software) is just a remote control that "reads" the password (Seed Phrase).
If you lose your Hardware device (Trezor, Ledger), if it burns in a fire or breaks, your funds are 100% safe. You just need to buy any new device, enter the famous 12 or 24 backup words (Seed Phrase), previously written carefully on a piece of paper, and you'll regain immediate access to all your funds. Never share this sequence with anyone, and never digitally.
Read the guide: Generating a Seed Phrase using dice (Italian)
Interactive Wallet Comparison
Drag or click the items below to compare their features side by side.
Want to use Monero (XMR) with Cake Wallet?
We published an advanced guide with step-by-step video tutorials to convert on-chain stablecoins and configure the app optimally.
Want to use Zcash (ZEC) shielded with DeGate and Zodl?
We published a comprehensive guide with images for swapping ZEC and performing shielded transactions in self-custody.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If I lose my Ledger or Trezor, or it gets crushed under a truck, do I lose everything?
ABSOLUTELY NOT. The crypto is on the blockchain, not 'inside' the device. The only thing that matters is the Seed Phrase (the 12 or 24 secret words) given to you at first setup. If you wrote down those words on paper, you can buy a new hardware wallet of any brand, enter those words, and you'll have immediate access to all your funds.
Where should I save my Seed Phrase?
NEVER digitally. Never photograph it with your phone, never put it on Google Drive, iCloud, iPhone Notes, or send it to yourself on Telegram. Write it on a piece of paper and lock it in a safe, or engrave it on fireproof steel plates (e.g., Cryptosteel).
Is Metamask secure?
Yes, if used properly. But for everyday use in the modern DeFi world, Rabby Wallet is vastly superior in terms of preventive protection. Rabby visually shows you WHAT you are about to sign and whether the contract is malicious, blocking you BEFORE you hand your tokens over to hackers.
What is an Air-Gapped connection?
It's the highest level of security (e.g., Foundation Passport). The device doesn't connect via USB or Bluetooth to the PC. It exclusively uses the camera scanner: you point the wallet at a QR Code, the wallet signs offline, and then you scan a QR code from the PC. Impossible to hack online.
How does a cross-chain Swap work from a self-custodial wallet?
Traditionally, swapping assets between different blockchains from a self-custodial wallet requires using external bridges or opening multiple dApps in sequence — a technical process with non-trivial security risks. Some next-generation wallets integrate multi-chain Swap aggregation directly into the app, simplifying the flow. Among currently available examples: DeGate Wallet, which aggregates liquidity across multiple chains and allows paying gas in USDC. Note: being self-custodial wallets, the user maintains direct control of their own keys and funds.
What are the safe methods to buy a hardware wallet?
There are strict basic rules (OpSec) to prevent your personal data from falling into the wrong hands. 1) Buy ONLY from the official website of the manufacturer (never use Amazon or third-party resellers where the chain of custody may be compromised). 2) NEVER use gifted or used hardware wallets. 3) Minimize data: use a pseudonym or don't enter your real name if possible. 4) Don't use your home address: data leaks happen (see Ledger in 2020), have the package shipped to a Locker (e.g., InPost, Amazon Hub) or your workplace.
What is the difference between a Custodial and Self-Custodial wallet?
In a Custodial wallet (like on a centralized exchange such as Binance or Coinbase), the company holds your private keys and you only have a web account. If they go bankrupt, freeze withdrawals, or get hacked, you lose everything. In a Self-Custodial wallet, only you own and know the Seed Phrase. As the cypherpunk mantra says: 'Not your keys, not your coins'.
Is it safe to use a wallet on my everyday smartphone?
Hot Wallets on smartphones (e.g., Trust Wallet, MetaMask, Rabby) are perfect for holding small amounts, for daily use, or for quickly interacting with dApps. However, they should never be used as the main vault for a lifetime of savings: smartphones are constantly connected to the internet, download third-party apps, and can fall victim to malware or keyloggers. For your main funds, always use an offline Hardware Wallet.