What is a bitcoin wallet?

On a practical level, a Bitcoin wallet is a device or program that is used to send and receive bitcoins. The term wallet can be a little confusing for people new to Bitcoin and crypto. A physical wallet is used to store physical currency, however a Bitcoin wallet does not store bitcoins within it. How can this work?

How do I create a bitcoin wallet?

How do I create a Bitcoin wallet? When you install the app, your Bitcoin wallet is automatically created. You can then receive bitcoin to your wallet immediately, store it safely, and use it as you please. Which Bitcoin wallet should I choose?

Is it safe to store bitcoin in a software wallet?

Since software wallets connect to the Internet, there's a very small risk of hacking. Therefore, it is generally recommended to not store large amounts of bitcoin in your software wallet. That being said, if you follow password management best practices, it's safe to store bitcoin in a software wallet.

What is a hardware wallet?

Hardware wallets are the most secure type of Bitcoin wallet because their private keys are stored on a physical device and theoretically cannot be accessed by a computer or from the internet. When a person wishes to make a transaction, they plug in the hardware wallet (usually via USB).