How to Store Bitcoins
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Sept. 18, 2017

Safety first! We all know this simple, everyday, universally applicable rule. So why make digital payments an exception? Many blockchain enthusiasts and entrepreneurs highly recommend to increase the overall computer literacy and provide some basic recommendations:

Recommendation No. 1 Do not share your private key with anyone!

Use trusted applications and websites, since unfortunately there are many fraud versions.

Recommendation No. 2 Use Cold Storage

This means keeping a reserve of Bitcoins offline with the following methods:

  • On a USB drive, such as the ones we mention in this guide
  • On a bearer item such as a physical bitcoin
  • Use an offline Bitcoin Hardware wallet, also mentioned below

Once you are ready to immerse yourself into this form of peer-to-peer transaction involving Bitcoin (Bitcoin), which offers anonymity while simultaneously cutting out banks and other traditional third party financial entities, the first step is getting a Bitcoin wallet.

Bitcoins are stored in several ways: in a digital wallet, in the cloud or on the personal computer, which act like a bank account, letting you pay or exchange Bitcoins. Imagine a virtual bank account that allows users to send or receive Bitcoin, or pay for goods from merchants that accept Bitcoin.

We bring to your attention the most well known and trusted options for Bitcoin Wallets, along with additional helpful apps to get you started.

Mycelium Bitcoin Wallet

Mycelium is considered as one of the best Bitcoin wallets, and has been awarded the 2014 “Best Mobile App” by Blockchain.info. With this app you can easily send and receive Bitcoins using just your mobile device, both iOS and Android operating systems. It is compatible with such hardware Bitcoin wallets as Trezor or KeepKey, and has a unique feature to help manage your private keys as well as a secret number that allows Bitcoins to be spent.

Advantages:

  • Strong industry-wide reputation
  • Open source
  • Integrates with a range of services, including hardware wallets Trezor, KeepKey and Ledger
  • Offers several account types
  • Fast connection to the bitcoin network

Copay

Similarly, very few bitcoin wallets can compete with Copay. Developed by BitPay to secure BitPay’s funds, Copay has become one of the leading wallet platforms in the market. The developers of Copay designed the wallet to give its clients maximum control of their money. They added strong security features, convenience and transparency to make Copay an instant favorite among crypto enthusiasts.

It is compatible with web and desktop (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux) and mobile devices (iOS and Android operating systems).

Advantages:

  • Multi-signature wallet
  • Supports multiple wallets on one app
  • Open source
  • Easy to use for beginners
  • Highly reputable wallet backed by leading bitcoin payment firm

Coinbase

As of 2017, Coinbase is the world’s largest Bitcoin broker and is available in over 30 countries. Merchants and consumers can transact with a variety of digital currencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.

Advantages:

  • High liquidity and buying limits
  • Easy way for new users to buy bitcoin
  • Instant buy available with credit card as backup

BreadWallet

BreadWallet is another open source and user-friendly wallet, and most importantly perfect for beginners. Its core design principle is easy and intuitive software, so it is a great option for those just starting out with Bitcoin. It is supported by iOS and now Android operating systems.

Advantages:

  • Hierarchical Deterministic
  • Open Source

Airbitz

This wallet guarantees more privacy. The unique thing about Airbitz is that it is a completely decentralized wallet, meaning that neither the company behind it nor any third-party can access your money or data. For those looking for best option in security and anonymity, this is the right option.

Advantages:

  • Decentralized server architecture, letting your wallet work even if servers are down
  • Supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to transfer funds instead of scanning QR codes
  • Simple account creation using just a login and password
  • Automatic wallet encryption, backup, and multi-device synchronization
  • Multiple wallets per account with simple user defined wallet names

Bitcoin Wallet

Bitcoin Wallet gets the title of the first wallet of its kind. It was created to make Bitcoin easy to use at a time when these types of apps were limited, it has a simple design without all the creative novelties of newer apps. You can quickly pay by scanning the QR code. It is supported by all operating systems and devices.

Advantages:

  • Connects to the Bitcoin network directly
  • Stores a small portion of the blockchain locally to verify incoming transactions

Bitpay

Bitpay helps users accept Bitcoins for their business, store them, or convert and spend them as dollars using the BitPay card feature. It’s an easy way to manage your Bitcoin finances and transactions, much like a regular checking account would. It allows you to get a prepaid Visa card that is loaded through your Bitpay account.

Advantages:

  • Zero fraud
  • Low transaction fees
  • Easy to set up

Hardware Wallets

Hardware wallets are currently very limited in number. These are dedicated devices that can hold private keys electronically and facilitate payments.

Trezor

Trezor is a small, key-sized device which connects to your computer with a USB cable. It is targeted at bitcoiners who wish to maintain a substantial stash of coins, but do not want to rely on third-party bitcoin storage services or impractical forms of cold storage. Launched in 2014, it was the first Bitcoin hardware wallet, offering secure cold storage plus the ability to spend with the convenience of a hot wallet.

It stores your Bitcoin private keys offline and signs transactions. It can be safely used on a malware infected computer.

Advantages:

  • Screen offers extra protection and verification
  • Affordable hardware wallet with screen

Ledger Nano S USB wallet

The compact Ledger Nano S USB Bitcoin Wallet is different from Ledger’s other two hardware wallets—the Ledger Nano and Ledger HW. since it has a screen. The Nano S’s screen means, like other hardware wallets (like KeepKey or TREZOR), it can be used even on a computer that is infected with malware.

Advantages:

  • Affordable hardware wallet with screen 58€ ($65)
  • The Nano S is easy to setup and use on any desktop computer

KeepKey

Launched in 2015, KeepKey is a secure Bitcoin hardware wallet similar to the earlier mentioned Trezor and Ledger Nano S. It is easy to setup but also has some more advanced features. This hardware wallet’s purpose is to store private keys offline in a secure environment. KeepKey provides security and protects against both physical and virtual theft. It can be used on any computer, even one that’s been infected with malware or targeted by hackers.

Advantages:

  • Most secure and feature packed Bitcoin hardware wallet available
  • Digital screen and metal body
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