Wallet
Software or hardware that stores your private keys and lets you sign transactions.
✦ Key Insight
Choosing between a custodial account and a self-custody wallet is the single biggest security decision most people make in crypto.
✕ Common Misconceptions
Storing the seed phrase as a photo, note or cloud backup. Also assuming uninstalling the app deletes the funds — the keys, not the app, control access.
Detailed Explanation
In Practice
Dig Deeper
Wallet
Software or hardware that stores your private keys and lets you sign transactions.
Token
An asset created by a smart contract on an existing blockchain rather than being that blockchain's native currency.
Blockchain
A shared, append-only record of transactions maintained by many independent computers at once.
Transaction
A blockchain transaction is a signed or authorized instruction that changes blockchain state or transfers value when accepted by the network.