Wallet

Quick definition

Software or hardware that holds the keys controlling your Bitcoin.

A wallet doesn't store coins โ€” those live on the blockchain. It stores and manages the private keys that control them, and gives you addresses to receive funds.

Wallets come hot (online: apps, browser extensions) and cold (offline: hardware devices), custodial (an exchange holds keys) and non-custodial (you do). Every wallet you control comes with a seed phrase โ€” back it up.

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