If you want to get started in the cryptocurrency world, you’re going to first need a bitcoin wallet. In this article, we’ll go over what a wallet is and how you can get one.
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What Is a Bitcoin Wallet?
As you know, Bitcoin is one of the most popular and most recognizable forms of cryptocurrency around. You might be interested in buying and selling this cryptocurrency, or perhaps you want to use it to make purchases. As such, you will need a place for storing cryptocurrency. A bitcoin wallet is a place where you can keep your Bitcoin until you need to take some kind of action with it.
How Do You Use a Bitcoin Wallet?
When you sign up for a Bitcoin wallet, you will receive private and public keys. You will need to use these special hexadecimal keys if you want to move your Bitcoin from one place to the other. The type of wallet you choose depends on how many cryptocurrency types you would like to store. Some wallets are capable of storing several types of cryptocurrencies. Others may only allow you to store Bitcoin.
What Are the Different Types of Wallet?
According to the experts at Sofi, there are two major types of Bitcoin wallets. The first type is a software wallet or “hot storage” wallet. This type of wallet is accessible online over a secure internet connection. You can access your Bitcoin by logging into the exchange provider’s site. Many people prefer to obtain hot storage to keep their Bitcoin. The providers usually have user-friendly websites, and they like that they can easily access their funds. The downside to hot storage is that it may not provide as much security as the alternative type of storage. For that reason, you may not want to store large amounts of Bitcoin in a hot storage wallet.
Cold storage or a hardware wallet is the second type of Bitcoin wallet you can obtain. The cold storage wallet is accessible offline. Your wallet may be in the form of a separate piece of hardware or an old-school piece of paper. The security is much better because your wallet stays with you at all times. However, it is still vulnerable to loss through fire, flood or theft.
How Do You Get a Bitcoin Wallet?
It’s very easy to sign up for a bitcoin wallet. Hot storage providers have a user-friendly signup process you can use. You will have to verify your identity before you sign up to get a Bitcoin wallet from a reputable provider. They will most likely want you to connect a bank account and verify that the bank account is yours before you can complete any transaction. These steps are taken to protect consumers and their personal finances. Still, the process is pretty quick. You could have a Bitcoin wallet and start enjoying your cryptocurrency journey as early as today.
Now you know what a Bitcoin wallet is and what you need to do to get one. You can sign up with a reputable provider to obtain a Bitcoin wallet today.
