A hardware wallet is a physical device that allows you to securely manage your cryptocurrencies. With a hardware wallet, you can receive, send, and safely store cryptocurrencies.

Are you looking for a hardware wallet? You can buy one in our crypto webshop:

What is a hardware wallet?

A hardware wallet is a device used to securely and offline store the private keys of your public (receiving) addresses. This is important because only the person with the private keys has access to the cryptos at those addresses.

The advantage of this is that you have your coins in your own management and do not have to store them with a central party like an exchange. You are your own bank. The past has enough examples of hacked exchanges. Also, a hot wallet (on a phone or PC that is always on) carries more risk than a hardware wallet (cold wallet). A hardware wallet mostly operates offline and has a security chip.

Thus, a hardware wallet is the safest way to manage your cryptocurrencies yourself. You can best view a hardware wallet as a physical key with which you can show that you are the owner of bitcoin or other crypto on the blockchain. They are available in all shapes and sizes. For example, the Ledger Nano S Plus looks like a USB stick.

Trezor wallet

Audited by security researchers, beginner-friendly.
Buy TREZOR

Ledger wallet

Has Bluetooth and supports over 1100 different crypto’s, 100 simultaneously. Buy Ledger

BitBox02 wallet

A way to keep your private key safe and to use it as a 2-factor authenticator. Buy BitBox02

How does a hardware wallet work? 

A hardware wallet functions like a sort of bank account for receiving, sending, and managing your cryptocurrencies. To receive or send coins, you need a receiving address. You can compare this to a bank account number.

Hardware wallets are secured with a PIN code. If your hardware wallet is stolen, or if you lose it, nobody can access your crypto coins without knowing your PIN code.

Furthermore, you can secure a hardware wallet with a backup seed. Even if you no longer have the hardware wallet, you still have access to your hard-earned coins if you have this backup seed. We will explain how this works exactly later in this article.

How do I obtain a hardware wallet?

You can purchase a hardware wallet on the website of the manufacturers or from official retailers like us. We are a trustworthy official retailer, visit our hardware walletshop.

Sometimes, when the demand for cryptocurrencies is high, hardware wallets can’t be delivered directly from stock. This was the case late 2017, when loads of people bought cryptocurrencies and wanted to store them safely. The demand for hardware wallets increased and they were sold out pretty much everywhere.

An overview of the most popular hardware wallets

TREZOR T

Storing your bitcoin, ether, and altcoins is now easier than ever. The Trezor T introduces a new, easy to use touchscreen, and it is ready for the future with its new USB-C connection and microSD card compatibility.

Access:

  • Chrome extension
  • Android application
  • Log in on MyEtherWallet

Ledger Nano X

This is the latest hardware wallet from Ledger!

With the Ledger Nano X, you can connect via Bluetooth to your mobile phone. Download the free app and you can manage your crypto anytime, anywhere with the Ledger Nano X. This combines the security of a hardware wallet with the convenience of your mobile phone.

Compared to its predecessor, the Nano S, the Nano X has much larger memory allowing you to install up to 100 applications at the same time. In addition, with the Nano X, you can store more than 1000 different coins.

Access:

  • Via your computer or laptop (cable)
  • Via your phone (Bluetooth)

Ledger Nano S Plus

One of the most commonly used hardware wallets is the Ledger Nano S Plus. The Ledger Nano S Plus supports the most popular cryptocurrencies and all ERC-20 tokens. ERC-20 is a standard for cryptocurrencies that operate on the Ethereum network.

The difference between the Nano S Plus and the Nano X is that the Nano X also has a battery and Bluetooth. A Nano S Plus always connects via a cable to your computer or Android phone. The Nano S Plus is a very affordable hardware wallet.

Access:

  • Through the Ledger Live app on your computer 
  • Integration with Copay, Electrum, Mycelium, MyEtherWallet, GreenBits, and Bitgo

Blockstream Jade

The Blockstream Jade is a bitcoin-only wallet. It features a camera, allowing it to be used in an air-gapped manner. This means that Blockstream never directly connects to your computer unless you use it via a cable. The Blockstream Jade has its own app (Blockstream Green) and is compatible with various wallets including Electrum, BlueWallet, Nunchuck, Sparrow, and Specter.

Unique features:

  • Bitcoin-only 
  • Can be used both wired and air-gapped 
  • Comes with extensive security functionalities

Keystone 3 Pro

Looking for a highly advanced wallet? Then the Keystone Pro 3 is for you. This hardware wallet features a fairly large touchscreen for easy navigation and offers numerous options. It is also the first wallet with PCI security level within the crypto industry. Additionally, it supports various staking and DeFi protocols. There are also several other features such as NFT support and biometric verification.

Unique features:

  • High-resolution 4-inch touchscreen (large screen)
  • 3 Secure Element Security Chips
  • QR code scanning (air-gapped)
  • NFT support

BitBox02

The BitBox02 is a minimalistic hardware wallet and two-factor authenticator that focuses on safety and privacy. This hardware wallet combines the highest level of security, ‘cold storage’, with the ease of use of a software wallet. It supports multiple cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, ether or litecoin, and all ERC-20 tokens.

Properties:

  • With the BitBox02 native software client, security risks of browser-based clients are avoided
  • Has a ‘hidden wallet’ function

Secux V20

The Secux V20 is Secux's flagship model. It is operated using a touchscreen with a diameter of over 7cm, making it easy to navigate and see the transactions you're validating. The design resembles that of a discus, featuring a rounded twelve-sided shape with an aluminum frame. The aluminum frame adds durability to this wallet, making it robust and able to withstand impact.

Unique features:

  • Compatible with Mac OS 10.13.6 or higher, Windows 10, Linux, or Chrome OS 
  • Works with iOS 12 or higher, and Android 6.0 or higher 
  • Connects via USB-C and Bluetooth 
  • Capable of storing BEP-20, ERC-20, TRC-10, and TRC-20 tokens.

How do I secure my hardware wallet?

Your hardware wallet doesn't actually store your coins; it stores the passwords that grant access to your coins. These passwords are unique to each individual and consist of 12 or 24 unique words. The combination of these words is also known as the private key. With this private key, you prove on the blockchain that you are the owner of a specific address.

When you want to send your cryptocurrencies to another address, the transaction must first be signed with the corresponding private key. Only you possess the private key, making it impossible for others to spend your cryptocurrencies. Think of a hardware wallet as a device that allows you to sign a transaction and prove ownership of the coins.

Backup

Now, imagine you lose your hardware wallet, it gets stolen, or it is lost in a fire. Do you lose your coins forever? No, fortunately not. When setting up your wallet, you can create a recovery "seed phrase."

A seed phrase is a series of 12 to 24 random words that the device generates for you. For the blockchain, the first four letters of these words serve as a sort of backup identification. With these words, you always have access to your coins, no matter where you are.

We always recommend creating a seed phrase and keeping it safe. After all, whoever possesses the words has access to the associated coins. A hardware wallet generates the 12/24 words offline, making it impossible for any hacker to access them. Therefore, it's crucial to store the seed phrase offline as well. Otherwise, you become more vulnerable to theft by hackers.

IMPORTANT: Never enter your seed phrase online!

What is the most secure way to store your backup?

SOLIDHODL: The safest method of storing your backup seed

It is extremely important to keep your recovery seed phrase safe. Never store it digitally. After setting up the wallet, you will be asked to save your recovery seed. The 12-24 words are usually written down on a piece of paper by most people. However, for many people, it often stops at this first step.

This is a pity! Because BEWARE: they forget a very important step: a secure backup with an eye to the future and potential risks. Because the piece of paper where the backup is now stored is not future-proof.

SOLIDHODL is therefore the solution to secure your crypto assets against unwanted risks. It is:

  • Future-proof: the metal SOLIDHODL plate is made of stainless steel, so it is well protected against high temperatures, water, and corrosion. The engraving is in the metal, so even without the ink, everything remains legible. 
  • Simple and clear: with the included Sleeve, you won't get distracted while recording your recovery seed because you can focus on one column at a time. The Engraving Pen is made of hardened steel, making the holes you punch in the metal clearly visible. 

An average house fire is a piece of cake for the SOLIDHODL. The metal also does not rust. Are your 12/24 words in a SOLIDHODL? Then they are truly immortalized. This way, you always have access to your coins, no matter what happens.

If you've got any questions on how store your coins safely, please feel free to contact our support team.