crypto-wallet
A software or hardware tool that stores the private keys needed to access and manage your cryptocurrencies.
Contrary to popular belief, a crypto wallet does NOT store your coins; your coins live on the blockchain. The wallet stores your 'Private Keys'—the passwords that prove you own those coins. It allows you to sign transactions and view your balance. It creates a bridge between you and the blockchain network.
graph LR
Center["crypto-wallet"]:::main
Rel_private_keys["private-keys"]:::related -.-> Center
click Rel_private_keys "/terms/private-keys"
Rel_custodial_wallet["custodial-wallet"]:::related -.-> Center
click Rel_custodial_wallet "/terms/custodial-wallet"
Rel_wallet["wallet"]:::related -.-> Center
click Rel_wallet "/terms/wallet"
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🧠 Knowledge Check
🧒 Explain Like I'm 5
Think of it like a debit card and a PIN code. The card allows you to access money in the bank vault ([blockchain](/en/terms/blockchain)), but the money isn't legally 'in' the plastic card. If you lose your [wallet](/en/terms/wallet) (keys), you lose access to the vault forever.
🤓 Expert Deep Dive
Wallets can be Custodial (exchange holds keys) or Non-Custodial (you hold keys). They generate a Seed Phrase (BIP-39) which creates a deterministic tree of keys for multiple blockchains.