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Why You Need Your Own Wallet
If you own Bitcoin, you need a wallet. Not maybe, not someday — now. As long as your coins sit on an exchange like Coinbase or Kraken, the exchange controls your private key. And whoever has the key, has the coins.
Your own wallet gives you full control. For smaller amounts, a good app will do. For anything beyond — and that threshold is reached sooner than you think — a hardware wallet is the safest choice.
→ No address yet? Create a Bitcoin Address — Step by Step
Top 3 Hardware Wallets at a Glance
| Ledger Nano S Plus | Trezor Safe 3 | BitBox02 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | from $79 | from $79 | $149 |
| Secure Chip | Yes (CC EAL5+) | Yes (Optiga Trust M) | Yes (ATECC608B) |
| Open Source | Partial | Yes (full) | Yes (firmware) |
| Made in | France | Czech Republic | Switzerland |
| Supported Coins | 5,500+ | 1,800+ | BTC, ETH, LTC + few more |
| Bitcoin-only Version | No | Yes | Yes |
| Interface | App + 2 buttons | App + touchscreen | App + touch slider |
| Ideal for | Multi-coin holders | Open-source fans | Bitcoin maximalists |
Ledger Nano S Plus — the All-Rounder
Ledger is the world's best-selling hardware wallet manufacturer, and for good reason. The Nano S Plus offers a certified secure chip, an intuitive app (Ledger Live), and supports over 5,500 cryptocurrencies. If you hold Ethereum, Solana, or other altcoins alongside Bitcoin, Ledger is hard to beat.
Pros: Huge ecosystem, very easy to use via Ledger Live, regular updates, Bluetooth option on premium models (Stax/Flex).
Cons: Firmware isn't fully open source — a recurring debate in the community. The "Ledger Recover" feature (optional cloud backup of seed phrase) has unsettled many users, though it's disable-able.
Our take: For most beginners who just want a wallet that works and supports many coins, Ledger is the most straightforward choice.
→ Setup: Hardware Wallet Setup Guide
Trezor Safe 3 — the Transparency Champion
Trezor launched the world's first hardware wallet in 2014 and has consistently championed transparency since. Hardware and firmware are fully open source — any security expert can audit the code. With the Safe 3, Trezor has now added a secure element chip, addressing the biggest weakness of older models.
Pros: Fully open source, long track record, strong community, now with secure chip. Trezor Suite software is clean and well-designed.
Cons: Setup is slightly more complex than Ledger. Fewer supported altcoins compared to Ledger.
Our take: Trezor is the first choice if transparency and open source matter to you. You know exactly what's running on the device — and in security, that's worth a lot.
BitBox02 — the Swiss Minimalist
The BitBox02 from Shift Crypto follows a clear philosophy: less is more. There's a multi-edition and a pure Bitcoin-only edition. The Bitcoin-only version has a deliberately reduced codebase, minimizing the attack surface. Made in Switzerland, with a focus on simplicity that shines through the entire experience.
Pros: Extremely beginner-friendly — setup takes under 10 minutes. The Bitcoin-only edition is perfect for those focused exclusively on Bitcoin. Touch interface on the device is intuitive.
Cons: Far fewer supported coins. No touchscreen. Unsuitable for pure altcoin portfolios. Slightly more expensive than entry-level Ledger and Trezor.
Our take: If you say "I want Bitcoin only, and I want it secure" — the BitBox02 Bitcoin-only is your device.
Software Wallets — the Alternative for Small Amounts
Not everyone needs a hardware wallet right away. For getting started and small amounts, good software wallets work fine:
BlueWallet (iOS/Android) — Open source, Bitcoin only, very simple. Perfect as a first wallet.
Electrum (Desktop) — On the market since 2011, extremely proven, but the interface isn't the prettiest. For users who know what they're doing.
Exodus (Desktop/Mobile) — Beautiful design, supports many coins, but not open source.
Recommendation: Start with BlueWallet on your phone. Once your Bitcoin balance reaches an amount you'd be nervous to lose — upgrade to a hardware wallet.
Our Recommendation by User Type
You're a beginner and want simplicity: → BitBox02 or Ledger Nano S Plus
You hold Bitcoin + many altcoins: → Ledger Nano S Plus
Open source and transparency matter most: → Trezor Safe 3
You focus solely on Bitcoin: → BitBox02 Bitcoin-only Edition
You have less than $200 in Bitcoin: → BlueWallet (app) is enough for now
3 Rules for Buying a Wallet
1. Buy only from the manufacturer directly. Never through Amazon, eBay, or third-party sellers. There are documented cases of tampered devices that were pre-compromised.
2. Back up the seed phrase analog. Every hardware wallet generates a seed phrase. Write it on paper or metal — never digitally.
3. Test first, then load. Send a small amount to the wallet first, verify everything works, then transfer the rest.
→ Backup done right: Seed Phrase Backup — 5 Methods
→ Check address before sending: Our free validator tool
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Last updated: February 2026