It doesn’t physically hold your coins — instead, it manages the keys that give you access to your crypto on the blockchain.

There are two main types of wallets:

1. Hot Wallets (online):

   • Connected to the internet

   • Easy to use for everyday transactions

   • Examples: mobile apps, browser extensions, web wallets

   • Popular choices: MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Coinbase Wallet

2. Cold Wallets (offline):

   • Not connected to the internet

   • Much more secure for long-term storage

   • Examples: hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor

Every wallet has:

• A public address – like your bank account number; you can share it to receive crypto.

• A private key – like your PIN; it must be kept secret. If someone gets access to it, they can take your crypto.

Important: If you lose access to your private key and don’t have a backup, your crypto is gone forever. Always store your backup phrases in a safe place, offline.

Whether you're just starting out or building a large portfolio, having the right wallet setup is crucial for security, control, and peace of mind.