Cold wallet

A wallet whose private keys never touch an internet-connected device. Maximum security, less convenience.

A cold wallet is one where the private keys are kept on a device that is never connected to the internet. The opposite of a hot wallet, which is online and convenient but more attack surface. Hardware wallets are the most common form — a small dedicated device that signs transactions internally and sends only the signature back to your computer or phone.

The security trade-off is real. A hot wallet lets you transact in seconds; a cold wallet involves plugging in the device, entering a PIN, confirming the transaction on its screen. For the small amounts you spend regularly, hot is fine. For the larger amounts you intend to hold for months or years, cold is the standard.

The principle: keep what you need to spend hot, keep what you need to save cold. A common pattern is hot wallet on phone (everyday spending) plus hardware wallet at home (savings stack).

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Wallets & self-custody

How to store Bitcoin so that nobody — not even us — can take it.

Related terms

Glossary

Hardware wallet

A dedicated physical device that stores private keys offline and signs transactions internally.

Glossary

Hot wallet

A wallet on an internet-connected device. Convenient for everyday spending. Less secure than cold storage for large amounts.

Glossary

Private key

The cryptographic secret that authorises spending Bitcoin. If someone gets your private key, they can spend your sats.

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