Cryptocurrency wallets enable users to send, receive, store, and manage their cryptocurrency balances. There are many wallets available, including both software and hardware wallets, and even exchange wallets.

But one of the most important factors when choosing a wallet is to ensure it is compatible with the crypto assets you’re storing. This includes non-fungible tokens as well as crypto coins and tokens. As well as ensuring compatibility, users need to choose secure wallets and offer the required additional features.

Crypto Wallets

Some wallets offer basic features, enabling users to send and receive payments, and that’s it. Others offer portfolio tracking, alerts, and even no-KYC exchange features (Source: https://bestwallet.com/en/no-kyc-crypto-exchange/). Choosing a fully featured wallet removes the need to have accounts and apps with exchanges and other facilities, streamlining the process and ensuring smoother transactions.

Coins vs Tokens vs NFTs

Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, crypto coins and tokens are different. Cryptocurrency coins are currencies that have their own network. For example, Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA) have their own networks and, therefore, are cryptocurrency coins.

However, the vast majority of crypto assets are minted on existing networks belonging to other cryptos. Cronos (CRO), Chainlink (LINK), and Shiba Inu (SHIB) are minted on the Ethereum network and are called ERC-20 tokens. Official Trump (TRUMP) and Bonk (BONK) are minted on the Solana network and are SPL tokens. Some tokens, especially stablecoins, are minted on multiple networks.

Non-fungible tokens are types of crypto tokens and are minted on existing networks just like other tokens. They can be stored in the same way as other tokens and have the same compatibility requirements.

Crypto Coin Compatibility

A coin or token’s network matters for various reasons. For a start, developers looking to establish smart contracts on the Ethereum network need to pay to use the network. This is called a gas fee and it is paid using Ethereum’s native coin, Ether.

For transactions, the network matters, too. Some networks offer faster transactions than others because they can handle more transactions per second. Some provide greater anonymity because they use techniques like ring signatures to further obfuscate user and wallet data.

Choosing A Compatible Wallet

The network also matters when choosing a crypto wallet. Wallets store private and public cryptographic keys, which are needed to encrypt and decrypt data on blockchain networks. Keys are only compatible with certain assets on specific networks, and each network has different software requirements.

Because networks operate differently, wallets cannot usually operate on different networks. There are some multi-chain wallets that can access multiple networks, but there is no single wallet that can access every single network. Users who hold portfolios consisting of multiple coins and tokens will generally require two or more wallets.

While this does add some administrative requirements to cryptocurrency investment, security experts generally recommend that crypto traders split their portfolios across multiple wallets to ensure improved protection of their assets anyway.

Choosing Wallet By Network Compatibility

The first key to choosing an appropriate wallet is choosing one that supports coins and tokens on the appropriate network. Users should check what types of tokens they hold and look for wallets with this compatibility. However, network compatibility doesn’t guarantee that a wallet supports every token on that network.

For example, the fact that a wallet is an ERC-20 wallet doesn’t mean it will support every single ERC-20 token. Therefore, the user needs to ensure that the wallet is compatible with a specific token. This is especially true when looking for a wallet to store NFTs. Not all wallets are compatible with NFTs, even on the networks they support.

Choosing Wallet By Security

There are a lot of wallets on the market, and compatibility is just one factor to consider when choosing. The most important consideration is that of security. Do your research when considering any wallet. Ensure other users have positive experiences with the wallet.

Cryptocurrency is not as regulated as other currencies or forms of assets, and this means regulatory bodies do not offer accreditation for security or other factors yet. This may come in the future.

2FA And More

Look for wallets that offer two-factor authentication. 2FA adds another layer of security to your wallet login. As well as using your username and password to access your wallet, 2FA typically means that a PIN will be emailed or messaged to you, or you will receive a verification request via pop message on your mobile device.

When combined with the biometric requirements of your cell phone and the password verification of the wallet, this means a lot of layers of security to protect your crypto holding.

Choosing Wallet By Wallet Type

Hardware Wallets - Hardware wallets are generally considered to be the most secure. These are cold wallets, which means they are not connected to the Internet, removing the possibility of being hacked by third parties online. When you make a transaction, the wallet creates a crypto bridge. The bridge transfers the unsigned transaction to the wallet where it is cryptographically signed using the private key. The transaction is then uploaded back to the crypto bridge and then onto the blockchain network. The private key remains on the hardware wallet, away from any device that has access to the Internet.

Software Wallets - In contrast, software wallets are effectively always online. There is no bridge, which means the transaction is transferred directly to the wallet, where it is signed before being sent back. There is some risk, albeit fairly minimal, of data being stolen. However, for the majority of users, a software wallet offers enough security. And it is possible to add a software wallet to a hardware wallet to ensure greater security.

Choosing Wallet By Additional Features

Wallets can also offer additional features. They can display and track your portfolio performance and even offer access to decentralized or centralized exchanges. Those with connections to exchanges facilitate speedy transactions and enable you to manage everything through a single wallet, rather than through multiple accounts with different services.