This is all about storing a cryptocurrency, wallet concept can be daunting a bit for the uninitiated. Basically, there are wallet software (this can be desktop, online or mobile), hardware based wallets, and of course the paper wallets. Talking about the “best” wallet in the ecosystem will be different for each one of us, it depends on a particular needs.

Wallets don’t just store cryptocurrency directly. It is accurate to think wallet as storing private keys. The Public key cryptography allows cryptocurrency to function, and uses a specific algorithms in order to generate pairs of keys. Public key is the address to which anyone can send its cryptocurrency balance. The private key allows owners spend funds from the specified address. Without the private key, public address becomes bottomless pit that you can only see; money still be sent there, but lost without a private key.

The type of wallets simply represents various ways a certain can secure their secret private key. There are two main types of cryptocurrency wallet, the hot and cold, these refers to the level or internet connectivity of the wallet. Paper wallet and hardware wallets are not actively connected to internet and considered as cold storage. Hot wallet is internet connected wallet, easy to spend, but vulnerable to cyber-attacks. A cold storage protects you from cyber-crime, but still it will be the owner’s responsibility to secure their property.