Bitcoin Wallets & Safety
Keep your coins safe.
Learn about wallets, backups, seed phrases, and how to protect your funds.
A Bitcoin wallet is a tool that allows you to store, receive, and send Bitcoin. It doesn't hold physical coins — instead, it stores the private keys that give you access to your Bitcoin on the blockchain.
Types of Wallets:
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Software Wallets: Apps or programs for desktop or mobile.
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Hardware Wallets: Physical devices that store your keys offline.
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Paper Wallets: Physical printouts of your keys (less common today).
Your wallet is like your bank account, but you’re the bank. That means you are responsible for keeping it safe.
Wallets come in two main categories: hot and cold. The difference is whether they’re connected to the internet.
Hot Wallets:
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Always connected (e.g. apps, browser extensions)
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Easy to access and use
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Good for small amounts or frequent transactions
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More vulnerable to hacks
Cold Wallets:
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Offline storage (e.g. hardware wallets, air-gapped devices)
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Very secure
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Ideal for long-term storage or large amounts
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Less convenient for everyday use
A good strategy: use both. Keep a little in a hot wallet, and the rest in cold storage.
With Bitcoin, you are your own bank — and that means you’re in charge of security. There’s no “forgot password” if you lose access.
Here are key steps to protect your coins:
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Use a reliable wallet
Prefer open-source wallets with a strong reputation. -
Store large amounts offline
Use hardware wallets or other cold storage methods. -
Backup your seed phrase
Write it down and store it in a safe place. Never save it online. -
Watch out for phishing
Only download wallets from official sources. -
Enable extra protections
Use PINs, biometrics, and 2FA where possible.
Security is not one action — it’s a mindset.
A seed phrase (also called a recovery phrase) is a series of 12 to 24 words that gives full access to your wallet. Anyone who has it can take your Bitcoin — no password needed.
Why it matters:
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It’s the backup of your entire wallet
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You can restore your wallet on any compatible app or device
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If lost or stolen, your funds are at risk
Important Tips:
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Write it down (don’t store it digitally)
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Keep it in a safe place, away from fire or water
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Never share it with anyone
If you control the seed, you control the coins. Lose the seed — lose everything.
