The number of global cryptocurrency holders has reached 429 million in 2022 and is expected to rise to 994 million by 2027, according to Statista. However, with the rise of users comes an increase in the number of hacking attempts, which is why using a proper crypto wallet to keep your crypto assets safe is necessary.
If you don’t already have a wallet or are looking for a safer one, it’s best to use a decentralized crypto wallet. We aim to help you with our detailed list of the best decentralized crypto wallets. In this article, you’ll get comprehensive reviews of our top 17 picks, but you’ll also learn what decentralized crypto wallets are, how they work, and why you need them.
Top Decentralized Crypto Wallets
Here’s our list of the top 17 decentralized crypto wallets:
- Best Wallet – Self-custody software wallet with built-in DEX and native $BEST token.
- Exodus – Popular decentralized wallet with high security and a built-in exchange.
- Zengo – Multi-chain mobile wallet utilizing MPC cryptography to get rid of seed phrases.
- Ellipal – Ellipal Titan 2.0 offers offline QR codes, EAL5 certification, and auto-destruct.
- Ledger Nano S Plus – Supports thousands of cryptos and integrates with other software wallets.
- Trezor Model One – Inexpensive hardware wallet ideal for beginners.
- Trezor Model T – A decentralized wallet released by Trezor, comes with a sleek touchscreen.
- Ngrave – Impenetrable by design, deploys the highest security protocols.
- Blockstream Jade – Supports fully air-gapped transactions with offline QR codes.
- BitBox – Use invisible touch sensors to verify crypto transactions instantly.
- SafePal – Offers air-gapped signing mechanisms, offline transactions, and EAL5+ certification.
- SecuX – Shield BIO wallet uses biometric recognition for security against potential hacks.
- MetaMask – Leading decentralized crypto wallet with ERC-20 token and NFT support.
- Trust Wallet – Feature-rich decentralized wallet with a user-friendly design.
- Coinbase Wallet – A popular decentralized wallet that connects to Coinbase.
- Crypto.com DeFi Wallet – Crypto wallet with staking and support for dApps, and NFTs.
- Uniswap Wallet – Secure decentralized wallet with seamless connection to the largest DEX.
Reviewing the Best DeFi Crypto Wallets
We’ve scoured the web to analyze as many decentralized wallets as possible. Ultimately, we were left with 17 that we can safely say are the best in the industry, especially when considering their security and privacy measures and features.
1. Best Wallet — Decentralized Crypto Wallet with Staking, Insights, Token Airdrop and More
Best Wallet is one of the best decentralized crypto wallets with self-custody and multi-chain functionality.
It offers a unique set of features and a native token – $BEST – that make it more than just a crypto wallet and transform it into a Web3 platform.
New users can create a Best Wallet account in under a minute with only an active email and four-digit passcode needed, there is no need to enter any Know Your Customer (KYC) details such as an address or date of birth. This means it’s one of the best anonymous crypto wallets for those looking to maintain complete privacy whilst trading cryptos.
The multi-chain wallet allows users to purchase, transfer and store crypto tokens safely and anonymously, and Best Wallet also has a built-in decentralized exchange to trade thousands of tokens.
$BEST token is what transforms the wallet into a fully-fledged Web3 platform, with holders able to generate staking rewards, benefit from reduced fees, and gain early access into new crypto launches, with these features set to be released in the coming weeks and months.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Self-custodial software wallet
Number of supported cryptos
Thousands via DEX
Fee for buying crypto
Determined by third-party
Mobile app
Yes
Features
Secure storage, multi-chain functionality and built-in DEX, $BEST staking and airdrop, unique insights on trending crypto, reduced fees, early access to new projects
2. Exodus – Popular Decentralized Wallet with High Security and a Built-in Exchange
The next wallet on our list of top decentralized wallets is Exodus. It supports a wide range of cryptos and allows users to manage multiple types of assets in one place without relying on a centralized exchange.
It supports 300+ cryptos and lets you easily manage, send, receive, and swap them. The wallet also doesn’t require a KYC check to ensure high privacy and security. Another key feature of Exodus is that it lets you “stake” some popular cryptos like Cardano, Solana, and Algorand.
You can also connect Exodus to a Trezor hardware wallet to make your wallet even safer. This lets you store your private keys offline, making it much harder for hackers to steal your money online.
While Exodus does encrypt your private keys and lets you set a password, it doesn’t have some advanced security features like two-factor authentication or multi-signature support. However, it is suitable for beginners due to its simple interface. You can get it on your phone or as an extension for your web browser.
Pros
Cons
Wallet Type
Self-custody mobile wallet
Number of Supported Cryptos
300+
Fee for Buying Crypto
Varies by currency and 3rd party
Mobile App
Yes
Features
Multi-chain NFT support, buy, sell, and trade NFTs and cryptos
3. Zengo – Most User-Friendly Decentralized Wallet, Supporting Over 120 Cryptocurrencies
Zengo is a mobile app crypto wallet that offers support for over 120 cryptocurrencies, along with multi-chain support for NFTs and a built-in dApp marketplace that uses WalletConnect to ensure seamless interactions with the top Web3 dApps.
Users of Zengo can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies and NFTs from the mobile app with just a few taps. But, what’s most impressive about Zengo, and why it ranks so highly on our list of best decentralized crypto wallets, is its security history and customer ratings.
Zengo secures users’ private keys through a solution called multi-party computation (MPC) cryptography, instead of seed phrases. This solution has never been available to a private consumer before.
This means that a user can restore their wallet using 3-factor authentication (instead of a list of words) which simply involves their email address, a recovery file, and a 3D face scan. Zengo has served over 1 million users and has never had a hacked wallet.
Pros
Cons
Wallet Type
Self-custody mobile wallet
Number of Supported Cryptos
120+
Fee for Buying Crypto
Varies by currency and 3rd party
Mobile App
Yes
Features
24/7 support, Pro version available, multi-chain NFT support, buy, sell, and trade NFTs and cryptocurrencies
4. Ellipal – Access 10,000+ Cryptos with this Air-Gapped Hardware Wallet
Launched in 2018, Ellipal is a Hong Kong-based company that creates air-gapped hardware and decentralized wallets. Ellipal is also one of the first wallets to ensure air-gapped transactions by using offline QR codes.
One of its flagship wallets, Ellipal Titan 2.0, is EAL5 certified and implements a secure element to protect users’ funds. Not only does this hardware wallet offer a completely decentralized trading process, it also offers a secure exterior.
The Ellipal Titan 2.0 is the world’s first fully metal-sealed hardware wallet. This makes it safe against any physical or supply chain-related attacks. The wallet boasts a 4” full lamination IPS display, and supports touch response. In just 5 minutes, you can set up the wallet and start trading your favorite cryptos.
On the Ellipal Titan 2.0 wallet, users can access more than 10,000 cryptos and coins. This wallet also implements an auto-destruct mechanism, which deletes all your private information if any tampering is detected. The wallet also implements an anti-disassembly feature to protect against theft.
The Ellipal wallet is priced at $169.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Non-custodial Hardware wallet
Number of supported cryptos
10,000+ cryptos
Fee for buying crypto
Determined by third-party
Mobile app
No
Features
First crypto wallet to support air-gapped transactions through an offline QR code, implements an auto-destruct mechanism, offers touch response
5. Ledger Nano S Plus — Decentralized Crypto Wallet for Cold Storage
Ledger Nano S Plus comes from the famous Ledger company, one of the world’s leading two hardware wallet manufacturers. It’s one of the two models Ledger produces, the other being a more robust and consequently more expensive model called Ledger Nano X.
However, Nano S Plus offers everything you need, so it will be more than enough if you’re not looking for something specific only Nano X has.
The model typically costs around $80 and allows storing over 5,500 crypto assets. The memory lets you install as many as 100 apps at any given point. Moreover, it fully supports NFTs, so you can keep all your high-priced assets in one cold wallet.
Ledger also has staking capabilities, and you’re free to stake cryptos like Ethereum, Solana, and Cosmos.
Ledger has a dedicated app for mobile phones that makes trading and staking possible.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Hardware wallet (cold storage)
Number of supported cryptos
5,500+
Fee for buying crypto
Commission built into the exchange rate
Mobile app
Yes
Features
Trading, staking (within the app)
6. Trezor Model One — Inexpensive Hardware Decentralized Wallet Ideal for Beginners
Trezor is another famous hardware wallet manufacturer on par with Ledger. It also offers one larger and more complex and another smaller and cheaper wallet model. We’re focusing on the latter, Model One, as it’s a perfect gateway into the world of hardware wallets.
The Model One is priced at only $70 and features all the robust security measures Trezor is known for. This includes top-notch security measures, RoHS and CE certifications, hands-on verification, and up to 50-digit-long PINs. With such a variety of measures, the device is one of the best decentralized wallets in terms of security.
The wallet is small and has a tiny screen, but you can still buy, sell, and swap coins with the help of the official Trezor Suite app. However, make sure to download links from the official Trezor site, as there are known scam apps even on official stores, as The Washington Post reported in the past.
You can store over 1,200 coins and tokens, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Binance Coin, Cardano, Dogecoin, and Ripple. Speaking of Ripple, It’s one of the top wallets for XRP holders.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Hardware wallet (cold storage)
Number of supported cryptos
1,200+
Fee for buying crypto
Varies based on several factors
Mobile app
Yes
Features
Trading (within the app)
7. Trezor Model T – Stake Cryptos with this Advanced Hardware Wallet
The Trezor Model T offers top-quality security features, a unique design, and additional staking tools. It comes with a 1.54” LCD screen and can be connected to other devices with a USB-C charger. Through the sleek touchscreen, users can easily manage their cryptos and verify transactions.
After setting up a wallet PIN and passphrase, security is guaranteed due to the security seals Trezor Model T deploys to protect the funds.
While the Model One design uses a standard backup, the Model T utilizes the Shamir backup – a tool through which your funds can be accessed after entering a 12-word phrase. Your Trezor Model T can be connected to the Trezor Suite mobile app for secure and convenient cryptocurrency management.
Due to the added features supported in the Model T, this Trezor wallet retails at $219. In total, more than 8,000 cryptos can be accessed with the Model T.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Non-custodial Hardware wallet
Number of supported cryptos
8,000+ cryptos
Fee for buying crypto
Determined by third-party
Mobile app
Yes
Features
Staking mechanism, uses the Shamir backup for restoring your wallet, offers a sleek touchscreen
8. Ngrave – Offline Wallet Uses Biometric Security Protocols to Secure Your Funds
The ZERO wallet offered by Ngrave is one of the top decentralized wallets due to the state-of-the-art security protocols it leverages. This wallet is EAL7 certified – the highest level of security obtained in the blockchain and financial space.
This 100% offline and decentralized wallet gives users complete control over their assets and supports trading without internet access. Instead, biometric sensors are used to add an additional security layer to the wallet. Your fingerprint is used to create a ‘Perfect Key’ – which will unlock the device, along with an 8-digit PIN passcode.
To verify transactions, Ngrave uses a combination of biometric authentication, light sensors, and QR scanning. This wallet has also created a ‘Custom ZERO Operating System’ – developed in-house by Ngrave’s security team. This wallet offers anti-tampering protection, protecting it against any physical attacks.
The hardware wallet comes with a 4” touchscreen, which can be managed by tap and swipe. In total, more than 3,700 cryptos can be traded with the Ngrave ZERO wallet. This wallet is priced at $398 – making it one of the more costly products on our list.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Non-custodial Hardware wallet
Number of supported cryptos
3,700+ cryptos
Fee for buying crypto
Determined by third-party
Mobile app
Yes
Features
4” touchscreen, EAL7 certified, and has developed its in-house operating system, generates a perfect key by using biometric authentication
9. Blockstream Jade – Open-Source Wallet Air-Gaps Crypto Transactions
The next top decentralized wallet on our list is Blockstream Jade – an open-source wallet that supports secure and offline cryptocurrency transactions.
Your wallet can also be connected to Blockstram’s multi-wallet platform – Blockstream Green. This platform deploys Multisig Shield technology – which uses more than one private key to add an additional layer of security.
Since the wallet is USB-C compatible, you can connect it to a mobile device or desktop to trade cryptos easily. Blockstream Jade allows users to access an in-built camera to scan QR codes for fully air-gapped transactions. This process eliminates the need to deploy a Bluetooth connection to complete the transaction.
The wallet also provides a recovery phase to ensure you can re-enter the account if you have lost your PIN. Blockstream Jade has partnered with the Oracle Blind Model to offer a virtual secure element – making it one of the safest hardware wallets to use.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Non-custodial Hardware wallet
Number of supported cryptos
Bitcoin, USD-T, L-BTC
Fee for buying crypto
Determined by third-party
Mobile app
Yes
Features
Uses Multishield Sig technology, offers air-gapped transactions using QR codes, offers a virtual secure element
10. BitBox – Secure Decentralized Wallet Deploys a Three-Step Security Process
With the BitBox02, users can access a cryptocurrency wallet that lets them store funds offline safely and securely. Boasting an intuitive user interface, the BitBox02 wallet offers invisible touch sensors that make navigating through cryptos and verifying transactions straightforward.
With a simple tap, you can view the 1,500+ cryptos available on BitBox02. A swipe indicates your interest in confirming a transaction. The hardware wallet also offers a 128×46 px OLED Display, on which you can buy, sell, and trade cryptos.
For a hacker to get their hands on your funds, they would need to breach three security barriers. Firstly, one must access a random secret from a secure chip. The second step would be to access a secret from the microcontroller. The final would be to access the device password, which is typically not stored on the wallet.
This wallet is compatible with the BitBox app – on which you can also access a 24-word backup phrase. You can connect the wallet with a USB-C charger and plug it in with a compatible Android device.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Non-custodial Hardware wallet
Number of supported cryptos
Over 1,500 cryptos
Fee for buying crypto
Determined by third-party
Mobile app
Yes
Features
Offers invisible touch sensors, uses a three-step security process, comes with a microSD card
11. SafePal – Compact Wallet Offers Air-Gapped Signing Mechanisms and Robust Security Protocols
Security stands out as the paramount concern when it comes to deciding the top wallets. SafePal’s S1 is one of the top crypto wallets due to its combination of a decentralized structure and top-quality security protocols.
The wallet boasts an EAL5+ independent secure element, which offers a safe operating environment where data can be stored. The usage of a random number generator to create private keys is another feature that the SafePal S1 wallet offers.
SafePal S1 also uses anti-tampering and self-destruct security mechanisms to fortify its hardware wallet against potential threats. SafePal S1 used a 100% air-gapped signing mechanism to offer fully offline storage.
The physical wallet’s compact size, similar to a credit card, enhances its portability without compromising on any security features. The wallet supports seamless transactions through its 1.4” full-color screen.
The wallet can be used to connect to over 100+ blockchains and gives access to thousands of cryptos.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Non-custodial Hardware wallet
Number of supported cryptos
100+ blockchains
Fee for buying crypto
Determined by third-party
Mobile app
Yes
Features
Air-gapped signing mechanisms, a credit-card sized wallet with a 1.4” color screen, uses random number generators to create a wallet PIN
12. SecuX – Hardware Wallet Uses Biometric Recognition and a Military Grade Security Chip
SecuX wallets are hardware wallets that incorporate high-grade military chips to offer the highest form of protection against hackers. One of the platform’s flagship wallets is the Shield BIO – which implements biometric authentication.
This process is known to offer a strong security layer, offering heightened resistance against any attacks or unauthorized access. A CC EAL5+ secure element chip has been embedded in the Shield BIO – allowing for the safe storage of crypto assets. Another top quality of the SecX Shield BIO is its compact size – looking exactly like a credit card.
The wallet supports touch configuration, allowing one to easily navigate over 10,000 cryptos.
The SecuX Shield BIO can be managed through the SecuX mobile app for iOS and Android. The use of a high-grade military chip offers unparalleled security and instant access to your digital assets.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Non-custodial Hardware wallet
Number of supported cryptos
10,000+ cryptos
Fee for buying crypto
Determined by third-party
Mobile app
Yes
Features
Cross-platform compatible, offers a military-grade security chip, one-touch access through its credit-card-sized hardware wallet
13. MetaMask — Leading Decentralized Crypto Wallet with Millions of Users and Focus on Ethereum
MetaMask is a decentralized crypto wallet that’s incredibly popular among dApp and NFT users, as well as crypto investors focusing on Ethereum-based tokens.
It excels in the number of cryptocurrencies it covers and their diversity, as long as you’re interested in more ERC-20 tokens and coins based on the Ethereum blockchain, making it one of the best Ethereum wallets. Consequently, you can store Ethereum, Polygon, Avalanche, and other similar cryptos, but not Bitcoin, Litecoin, or Bitcoin Cash.
As one of the best ERC20 wallets, its security is top-notch. It’s a non-custodial wallet that doesn’t ask for personal details and doesn’t keep information on its servers. The private keys and, consequently, the crypto assets in the wallet are entirely yours. It’s all secured with a password and a backup passphrase for added security.
MetaMask works as a mobile app and browser extension, but it’s not a desktop wallet, as there’s no software you can install on a computer or laptop.
To learn more about this wallet, read our comprehensive MetaMask review.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Hot wallet (cold storage support)
Number of supported cryptos
500,000+
Fee for buying crypto
N/A
Mobile app
Yes
Features
Staking, interest
14. Trust Wallet — Feature-Rich and Highly User-Friendly Decentralized Cryptocurrency Wallet
Trust Wallet is a decentralized crypto wallet that’s fully non-custodial despite being part of the Binance family. As most of you know, Binance is the biggest crypto exchange on the planet, but even though it’s centralized, Trust Wallet isn’t and is entirely separate from the exchange. That way, you don’t have to worry about Binance’s regulatory problems in the US.
The wallet doesn’t store your private keys or your data, and this separation from Binance makes it fully decentralized, but it also means you have to connect to Binance if you want to use the massive array of services the exchange offers.
Still, Trust Wallet has more than enough options of its own. Besides supporting millions of tokens and cryptocurrencies, it also accepts NFTs and connects to various dApps. If that weren’t enough, it also has a built-in Web3 browser.
You can do all this within the wallet’s mobile iOS or Android app and a dedicated Chrome extension with over 400,000 users. To learn more, read our full Trust Wallet review.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Hot wallet
Number of supported cryptos
4.5 million (mostly tokens)
Fee for buying crypto
1%
Mobile app
Yes
Features
Staking, interest
15. Coinbase Wallet — Popular DeFi Wallet With Support for Thousands of Coins and Tokens
Coinbase Wallet is part of the larger Coinbase world, which includes one of the biggest crypto exchanges on the planet and certainly the most popular in the US. However, the wallet is still decentralized, as it’s non-custodial, giving you complete control over your assets.
You can connect it to your Coinbase exchange account if you want to do more, like finding the latest and most promising Coinbase listings, but the wallet itself is still very robust in terms of features.
It lets you store hundreds of thousands of cryptocurrencies and tokens, manage your NFTs and other wallets, and explore the dApp space.
Aside from giving you control over your coins, it also doesn’t collect any personal information or share it with the Coinbase CEX. The private keys are encrypted and delivered through a backup passphrase so the exchange cannot access them.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Hot wallet
Number of supported cryptos
100,000+
Fee for buying crypto
Vary
Mobile app
Yes
Features
Staking, interest (through specific dApps)
16. Crypto.com Wallet — Top DeFi Wallet for Advanced Crypto Users
Crypto.com is a famous cryptocurrency exchange used worldwide, while the Crypto.com DeFi wallet is its official wallet. It’s not connected to the exchange and functions as a non-custodial wallet highly adept at working with a wide range of decentralized and DeFi apps.
As expected from one of the top decentralized wallets on the market, it lets you store and view your NFTs, regardless of their format or the blockchain they are held on.
However, Crypto.com Wallet also allows the storage of more than 1,000 coins and tokens, including Ethereum, Cosmos, Cronos, and others. Besides storing, you can also swap and trade your crypto assets.
You can earn passive income on more than 25 tokens directly through the app, which includes tokens like ATOM, CRO, DAI, and TONIC.
As for safety, the wallet also uses multi-factor authentication, and in the unlikely case of a hack, the wallet provides compensation.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Hot wallet
Number of supported cryptos
1,000+
Fee for buying crypto
Vary
Mobile app
Yes
Features
Staking, interest
17. Uniswap Wallet — Secure Decentralized Wallet With Seamless Connection to Uniswap DEX
Uniswap Wallet is a highly-secure decentralized wallet that seamlessly connects to one of the best decentralized crypto exchanges on the planet — Uniswap. It’s relatively new, but the brand name was enough for us to consider it. Both the wallet and exchange come from Uniswap Labs.
It eventually ended up on our list for its top-notch security, open-source software, and simple design. Naturally, it’s entirely decentralized, just like its sister exchange. The wallet is also non-custodial, with private keys and seed phrases stored locally on your device.
Uniswap has gone further by giving you two recovery methods — iCloud and manual seed phrase backup. When it comes to privacy, Uniswap Labs doesn’t collect personal information or store your data.
This wallet supports many coins and lets you easily swap with them with the unique Uniswap swap feature available on their exchange. The wallet also connects to dApps and enables you to store NFTs.
Pros
Cons
Wallet type
Hot wallet
Number of supported cryptos
1,800+
Fee for buying crypto
N/A
Mobile app
Yes (iOS only)
Features
Swapping, dApps, NFTs
What Is a Decentralized Crypto Wallet?
A decentralized crypto wallet is any cryptocurrency wallet that gives the user complete control of their digital assets. This typically means the app gives users control over their private keys without storing sensitive data on the company’s servers.
Moreover, a decentralized wallet can often support and connect with decentralized apps (dApps) and DeFi — decentralized finance applications.
The best DeFi wallets are typically either non-custodial software wallets or hardware wallets.
Decentralized wallets are directly managed and maintained by the user. Naturally, they can be created by a specific company, but the crucial thing is that you have full ownership of the address, its private keys, and the crypto assets on it.
This also means the wallet must be installed on your device. The device can be a desktop computer or a mobile phone in the case of hot wallets, and if you’re using a cold wallet, then it’s a hardware wallet that works as its own separate device, in most cases a simple USB stick with its own small screen and buttons.
In some cases, a decentralized wallet can be web-based. However, the best decentralized crypto wallet that works online through a browser still gives you control of your private keys — it’s just that the wallet software is hosted on the web.
Decentralized wallets are directly opposed to centralized wallets, which are typically web-based and connected to crypto exchanges.
Moreover, they are often custodial, meaning the company behind the wallet keeps control of your private keys.
Most advanced users in the world of crypto will tell you that if the private keys are not yours, then the coins are not yours. This view is technically correct because the owner of a crypto address’ private keys is the actual owner of the crypto assets stored on that address.
The fact that users didn’t have control over their private keys is one of the reasons why people couldn’t get their crypto assets off of FTX when it collapsed, as Bloomberg explains.
Why Use a DeFi Crypto Wallet?
To understand why you should consider using a decentralized crypto wallet instead of all others, here’s a list of reasons that should also explain their advantages:
- Private keys are yours — Decentralized wallets are always non-custodial, so your private keys stay yours.
- Robust security measures — Most DeFi crypto wallets have robust security measures, especially hardware wallets that are inherently more secure than other types of crypto wallets.
- Great entry into dApp and DeFi space — If you want to get into the decentralized app or decentralized finance space, a decentralized wallet is effectively a necessity, especially if you want to pay for something. Some DeFi wallets even have dedicated browsers, so you can explore this space.
- No connection to unsecured CEXs — Decentralized wallets are not connected to exchanges, so you don’t have to worry about them suffering breaches or falling apart and taking your coins with them, like in the case of FTX.
- Private data stays private — Most decentralized wallets stay clear of your personal data to ensure total privacy and protection of user-sensitive information.
How Does a Decentralized Cryptocurrency Wallet Work?
A decentralized crypto wallet stores your crypto assets in a decentralized manner, meaning they are entirely yours, even though the wallet itself is made by a specific company.
This is possible because decentralized wallets don’t store personal information and, more importantly, don’t keep your private keys.
You are the sole owner of your private keys, so the assets on the corresponding address are also exclusively yours.
Outside of the fact that a decentralized wallet is always non-custodial, with the user owning their crypto assets’ private keys, the wallet essentially works the same as all other crypto wallets.
It communicates with the corresponding cryptocurrency’s network to get the data it needs to give you access to your funds and allow you to use them as you want. This effectively means the wallet does not store your assets; it only presents a way for you to monitor and use them in a single user-friendly platform.
The cryptos are stored on the blockchain, and the wallet only uses private and public key sets to find and access them. This is why every crypto address contains both a public and a private key.
In simple terms, the former is like a bank account used to send crypto to a wallet. The latter is like the password to that account and allows you to verify transactions and prove ownership of your funds.
To better understand this, here’s an example. If someone wants to send 0.1 BTC to your address, they need its public key. It’s called a public key because anyone can look it up on the blockchain. Once they send you the 0.1 BTC, they become yours, but the only way to ensure that’s the case and access them is to use your address’ private key.
This is precisely why you need to be the sole owner of that key and why it’s beneficial to use a decentralized wallet instead of a custodial one. If someone else, like the wallet manufacturer, has that key, they could use it to gain access to your assets. Naturally, a reputable company wouldn’t, but it’s still an option, and many crypto holders prefer that they never have the opportunity.
DeFi Wallets vs. Centralized Wallets
The main difference between decentralized and centralized wallets is that the former don’t store your private keys, while the latter do. The former are thus often dubbed as non-custodial wallets, and the latter custodial.
Many often talk about the former being safer than the latter, but the reality is that it’s more about the type of user you are.
If you can trust the company providing the wallet and you want it to handle security, you won’t mind it storing your private keys.
On the other hand, if you’re an advanced crypto user who is also a full supporter of the “not your keys, not your coins” stance, you’ll want to stay in control of your keys by getting one of the best decentralized crypto wallets. However, this also means that you are solely responsible for their safety.
It’s a double-edged sword, and it’s why centralized and decentralized wallets can be equally unsafe but in different ways. Consequently, it should always boil down to what you prefer. Naturally, if you fall somewhere in between, you can always go for the overall best crypto wallet on the market, regardless of whether it’s custodial or non-custodial.
Types of DeFi Crypto Wallets
Decentralized wallets can be hot or cold, depending on the type of storage they offer. Hot wallets are the more popular option due to their convenience, but they are less secure as they are connected to the web. Cold wallets are complex and less convenient, you have to buy them, but they are the gold standard in crypto security as they operate offline.
Outside of that, we can separate decentralized crypto wallets into software and hardware wallets.
Software Wallets
Software wallets are software applications you can install on various devices and use them to store cryptocurrencies. They typically offer a wide range of features like trading, buying, selling, and staking crypto. DeFi wallets also let you access various decentralized apps and store NFTs.
Software wallets can be:
- Desktop wallets — Software that has to be installed on a computer or laptop using operating systems like MacOS, Windows, or Linux. They are convenient and feature-rich but require lots of protection as they are as secure as your computer.
- Mobile wallets — Work like any other app on your iOS or Android device. Highly convenient and often very simple to use. They are typically the least secure option, requiring added security measures like 2FA.
- Web wallets — These wallets operate through internet browsers like Chrome and Brave. They usually work as extensions but are not very secure and can be vulnerable to DDoS attacks if you’re not using adequate security measures.
Hardware Wallets
Hardware crypto wallets are pieces of hardware that store cryptocurrencies. They are typically in the form of a slightly larger USB stick with a small screen and a few buttons.
They are simple in design but robust in security measures. Besides various certifications and advanced security features, their main advantage is that they are offline by default. So, they are completely safe from hacking attempts if you’re not using them in conjunction with an app or on your computer.
Even though they are the gold standard in crypto security, they are highly inconvenient for daily trading, as they must be used online and with a dedicated app. They can be complex for beginners and cost money, unlike software wallets that are free to set up.
Hardware wallets are typically used for long-term storage and to keep larger amounts of cryptocurrencies safe. If you want to do the same, it’s best to keep most of your crypto on a hardware wallet and the rest on a trading platform or hot wallet so you can trade, swap, buy, sell, and stake these coins and tokens.
Are DeFi Crypto Wallets Safe?
In terms of security, even the best decentralized crypto wallets are as safe as their security measures allow. These can often be the same as with other crypto wallets, with hardware wallets being an exception as they are decentralized by nature and inherently safer than software wallets due to providing cold storage.
However, the rule applies to software wallets. The fact that some are decentralized is often considered a good thing because you’re the owner of your private keys, as we’ve already explained. But as we’ve also covered, this can be as much of a disadvantage as an advantage.
Having complete control of your private keys can be beneficial if you’re great at taking care of them, but if you’re unsure of how securely you can store them, it can be a problem.
The reasoning is simple. Once the private keys are lost, you can’t rely on the wallet manufacturer to help you, so they are effectively lost forever.
With custodial or centralized wallets, the keys are stored by the company behind the wallet, so with proper recovery methods, you can get them back.
With any wallet, be it custodial or non-custodial, there’s also the option to use your secret seed phrase (the 12, 18, or 24 phrase the system generates when you’re setting up your wallet for the first time) to generate your private keys again regain access to your address, but if you lose it too, then there’s no way to get your funds back.
The security of your seed phrase is your own to handle, so you’ll have to keep it somewhere safe, preferably on a piece of paper and in multiple places, but never on devices connected to the internet.
This brings us back to the same problem you can have with your private keys. If you lose the phrase, it’s over, which is precisely why some people feel it’s safer for reputable wallet manufacturers to keep the keys stored safely on their servers.
If you can keep both your private keys and the seed phrase secure, there’s no reason to doubt the security features of the decentralized wallet. As long as you’re using a proper DeFI wallet, like one of the options we recommend, there’s nothing to worry about.
The Importance of Storing Seed Phrases Safely
Since it is of vital importance to secure your seed phrase, we recommend using a highly-rated storage device such as Cryptotag. This top storage device is built using aerospace-grade titanium. The device is water and heat resistant, and even bullet-proof.
‘Zeus,’ the cheapest available product on Cryptotag, retails at only €129. This product allows users to store up to 24 seed phrases and boasts laser-etched details and an unparalleled finish.
How We Ranked the Best Decentralized Crypto Wallets
To choose the right decentralized wallet, you must look into the features that connect them. Let’s review what we examined to rank the wallets on our list:
- Reputation — We highly value wallets with pristine reputations, and you should too. We looked into online reviews, user feedback, and ratings to determine how well-liked they are.
- Security — Decentralized wallets are more secure than centralized ones, but they still need to feature robust security measures, precisely what we reviewed.
- Supported cryptocurrencies — Some wallets have a few supported coins, while others let you store thousands. We gave higher rankings to those that offer true diversity in terms of coins and tokens.
- Decentralized features — Decentralized wallets are also used for their compatibility with decentralized apps and DeFi solutions. Due to that, we made sure to pick wallets that can connect to many dApps, especially those that allow staking and other options.
- Usability — We looked into how user-friendly each wallet is as many users are complete beginners, so most crypto fans should be able to use them without getting lost. Naturally, some are more complex and attuned to advanced users, but these, too, need to offer a good user experience even when you know how to use a DeFi wallet.
Conclusion
Decentralized crypto wallets are typically considered the safest option on the market, especially if you get a hardware wallet with an accompanying mobile app or compatible software wallet. It always boils down to your user type and what you want from a crypto wallet.
Best Wallet is our top choice as a secure self-custody wallet to store tokens with multi-chain functionality, a built-in DEX, and $BEST tokens staking.
References:
- https://www.statista.com/outlook/dmo/fintech/digital-assets/cryptocurrencies/worldwide#users
- https://dydx.exchange/crypto-learning/what-is-a-decentralized-wallet
- https://juno.finance/blog/what-is-a-decentralized-crypto-wallet
- https://metamask.io/
- https://wallet.uniswap.org/
- https://trustwallet.com/
- https://www.ledger.com/
- https://trezor.io/
- https://www.coinbase.com/wallet
- https://crypto.com/us/defi-wallet