Uphold - Digital Asset Platform
Each month, we conduct an extensive review of Bitcoin and crypto wallets available in the US. To arrive at these picks, we've compared more than 50 wallets on features like security, usability, cost and supported coins.
Our picks are designed to help you choose the best wallet for your goals and holdings. Since some wallets are better at some things than others, it's common to use multiple wallets at once. For instance, you might use one wallet for staking and another for its Web3 features.
Regardless of what you choose, it's a good idea to pair any software wallet with a hardware wallet for added security.
Disclaimer: This page is not financial advice or an endorsement of digital assets, providers or services. Digital assets are volatile and risky, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. Potential regulations or policies can affect their availability and services provided. Talk with a financial professional before making a decision. Finder or the author may own cryptocurrency discussed on this page.
The Nano S Plus is our pick for the best crypto wallet overall thanks to Ledger's robust security, wide range of cryptocurrencies and NFTs all at the affordable price point of US$79.
The Nano S Plus is a hardware wallet manufactured by French company Ledger, which has been around since 2014. Ledger wallets have a clean security track record, with no hardware breaches recorded.
The accompanying Ledger Live app also allows you to swap cryptocurrencies, purchase them with debit or credit card or put them to work via DeFi and staking. Ledger Live features the Merlin dashboard which lets you interact with 1,000+ DeFi protocols across 10 chains and track yield, PnL and impermanent loss.
You'll be hard-pressed to find another wallet that offers so much value at such a moderate price.
The Ledger Nano X is one of the best-known and feature-rich hardware wallets on the market. Its robust security, support for a wide range of cryptos and connection to both desktop and mobile interfaces are some of the reasons it was our pick for the best hardware wallet.
Ledger has a long track record of providing industry-standard level security for digital assets.
The Nano X hardware is supported by the Ledger Live app, which helps you manage up to 5,500 cryptos, Ethereum and Polygon NFTs and over 1,000 DeFi apps from a single user interface available on both desktop and mobile.
You can also stake a selection of your digital assets via Ledger Live or put them to work in DeFi.
The Nano X is Bluetooth-enabled and compatible with both Android and IOS mobile devices, so you can manage your crypto on the go.
The Ledger Stax was designed by Tony Fadell, the co-creator of the iPod and iPhone.
The device is more sleek and stylish than previous Ledger hardware wallets, yet it still offers the same level of security for which Ledger wallets have come to be known and trusted.
The most notable feature of the Ledger Stax is its 3.7-inch (672x400px) electronic ink (e-ink) touchscreen, which makes managing your assets and clear-signing transactions via the device a smooth and convenient process.
Other features that make the Ledger Stax stand out from previous versions of Ledger wallets are its wireless-charging capability and its lock screen, which you can customize with an NFT.
The device is also shaped differently than previous Ledger wallets. It's the shape of about 5 credit cards stacked on top of one another, while all previous Ledger wallets resembled a flash drive.
Exodus Wallet is a software wallet for desktop and mobile that provides access to a wide range of cryptocurrencies. While many wallets only let you manage coins on a single network, Exodus supports assets on blockchains including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. This all-in-one functionality makes it our top wallet pick for beginners.
The wallet has added features like a portfolio overview that help you to oversee your holdings. And if you'd like to top up your portfolio, you can use the wallet's built-in exchange to swap your digital assets.
You can also stake cryptos like Algorand (ALGO) and Cosmos (ATOM) through Exodus.
For added security, you can store the keys to your assets on a Trezor hardware wallet, making it easy to upgrade from one to the other if you decide to go pro.
One of Exodus's most beginner-friendly features is its highly-responsive support staff. If you email them for support, you can expect to hear back within an hour.
The Nano S Plus provides the security of its predecessor, the Nano S, but with almost all of the capabilities of Ledger's top-of-the-line hardware wallet, the Nano X.
And at a price point of US$79, the Nano S Plus costs US$70 less than the Nano X at US$149. When you consider that the only key difference between the X and S Plus is Bluetooth connectivity and iOS support, the S Plus's value starts to become clear.
The Nano S Plus lets you keep the private keys to over 5,500 digital assets and NFTs in cold storage.
The accompanying Ledger Live software helps manage and stake your digital assets. You can put your assets to work in DeFi through the Ledger Live app or by syncing with MetaMask.
You'll be hard-pressed to find a hardware wallet that does as much for you at such a reasonable price.
Atomic Wallet is our pick for best desktop wallet thanks to its support for over 500 crypto coins and tokens across more than 50 blockchains in a single app – and it's available on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Its easy-to-use interface makes it a popular choice for beginners and pros alike.
The wallet was launched in 2017 by Konstantin Gladych, CEO of Changelly. Changelly is a decentralized crypto exchange built into Atomic Wallet, allowing you to swap cryptos or purchase them with a credit or debit card.
You can stake 10+ digital assets including Cardano (ADA), Cosmos (ATOM) and Tezos (XTZ), and the wallet features an NFT gallery for the Solana blockchain.
If you run into any problems while using Atomic Wallet, you can reach out to its 24/7 customer support team.
Trust Wallet supports coins and tokens from 65 different blockchains. This saves you the hassle of downloading multiple wallet apps and makes it our standout pick for the best mobile wallet.
Trust Wallet lets you quickly import popular coins and tokens, view charts and pricing information and receive notifications directly to your mobile device.
If you want to view cryptos that aren't listed by default, Trust Wallet also lets you import custom tokens. You'll need to be careful to verify contract addresses when doing this, as anyone can create fake versions of existing cryptos.
You can also connect to dApps and DEXs that support the Wallet Connect extension. As an added convenience, you can also purchase cryptos with fiat through third-party providers like Moonpay and stake assets directly from your Trust Wallet.
The Coinbase Wallet doesn't require a Coinbase account to use it but verified account holders can connect directly to Coinbase's exchange to buy crypto. This seamless integration makes it our pick for the best exchange wallet.
The Coinbase Wallet can be downloaded as a mobile app or browser extension and features an easy-to-navigate UI consistent with the Coinbase exchange. The wallet is automatically configured to support many blockchains, including all EVM-compatible chains, Solana, Fantom Opera and more.
Security on the Coinbase wallet is consistent with the industry standard for non-custodial wallets, which means it does come with some counterparty risk. If convenience and easy access to your funds on Coinbase is important to you, then this exchange wallet has a lot to offer.
The COLDCARD Mk4 is a popular hardware wallet among hardcore Bitcoiners.
It was designed for Bitcoin maximalists by cypherpunks – technologists who advocate for privacy-enhancing technology.
The Mk4 doesn't have some of the functionality of Ledger or Trezor hardware wallets, but it does offer industry-leading security for the private keys to your BTC.
The device features 2 Secure Element chips – the same type of chips used to protect data for passports and credit cards – to protect your private keys.
To keep the private keys that you store on the device extra secure, you can send BTC to and from your device without even connecting it to a computer. When you use desktop software wallets like Sparrow or Electrum, you can use a microSD card to transfer data back and forth from your computer to your Mk4.
Coinomi is a desktop and mobile wallet that supports over 1,770 coins and tokens on 125 different blockchains. This impressive range puts Coinomi far ahead of most wallets on the market and makes it our pick for the best multi-crypto wallet.
In addition to storing your private keys, Coinomi wallet also allows you to manage your NFTs, stake certain assets and interact with DeFi apps.
There is a built-in decentralized exchange (DEX) that allows you to swap your cryptocurrency without having to use a centralized service like Coinbase or Binance.
Founded in 2014, Coinomi was the first ever multichain wallet to come to market. In its 8 years of operation, there have been no reported hacks. Customer support is available via live chat or support tickets.
The Trezor Model T wins our best pick for experienced users thanks to several advanced features which come together to give you greater control over your funds.
Where the Model T falls short is the range of coins and tokens it supports. It's best thought of as a Bitcoin wallet first and an altcoin wallet second. The Trezor Suite software only supports a small handful of popular blockchains, but through third-party software, the Model T supports over 9,000 coins and tokens.
Warning: On May 25, 2023 a security firm named Unciphered claimed that they were able to extract the private keys from a Trezor Model T. The exploit requires physical access to the device as well as specialised tools and knowledge. Trezor has previously addressed this type of vulnerability in a blog post and say that the attack can be prevented by using a strong passphrase.
The Ledger Nano S Plus is our pick for best staking wallet because it lets you stake your cryptos while keeping the private keys securely offline. This sort of security can only be provided by a hardware wallet, and the Nano S Plus offers one of the widest range of staking assets for any hardware or software wallet.
You can stake a handful of currencies like Ether (ETH) and Polkadot (DOT) via the device's native Ledger Live interface.
Where it really shines though is its integration with third-party apps which allows you to easily stake over 25 cryptocurrencies, including crowd favorites like Avalanche (AVAX) or Solana (SOL). There is also support for 1,000+ DeFi protocols through the Merlin app.
When you sync your Nano S Plus with a third-party wallet for the purpose of staking, the private keys to the assets that you stake remain stored in cold storage on your Nano S Plus. This gives you greater security than if you were to use a software wallet on its own.
With over 30 million monthly active users at the time of writing, MetaMask is a crowd favorite and considered the go to for Web3 apps, making it an easy choice for best Web3 wallet.
MetaMask was one of the first non-custodial wallets to help open the door to the world of Web3 and DeFi. Operating on both desktop and mobile devices, MetaMask lets you connect to dApps, store NFTs and digital assets and trade cryptos across several different blockchains.
A key feature behind the popularity of MetaMask's Web3 wallet is the ability to buy and sell cryptos without providing any personal information. To start trading on DeFi exchanges you simply install the app or browser extension and log in using your private seed phrase.
Your MetaMask seed phrase acts as a password, login and proof of ownership all in one. Your information is not stored on any database and asset ownership is entirely in your hands; an important element of decentralization.
Though most known for its global exchange, Crypto.com also offers a tailored non-custodial DeFi wallet with standout features deserving of our pick for best DeFi wallet.
Crypto.com DeFi Wallet is available to anyone – not just existing Crypto.com users. The DeFi wallet can be synced to the centralized Crypto.com app to make transfers between accounts simple.
The Crypto.com DeFi Wallet also features in-app swaps via the Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Cronos, and Polygon blockchains. Users of the Crypto.com DeFi wallet can bridge assets between selected blockchains to the native Cronos Chain or Crypto.org.
In-app staking and connection to Web3-enabled sites are also possible. Crypto.com DeFi Wallet users can connect to dApps, DEXs, lending platforms and marketplaces without ever having to leave the app.
XDEFI is a blockchain-agnostic wallet that lets you showcase NFTs from more than 15 different blockchains side-by-side. It's this breadth that's made it our top pick if you're looking for a dedicated NFT wallet.
The wallet's streamlined, cross-chain UI makes sending, receiving and trading NFTs and cryptos across blockchains simple and user-friendly.
Once the browser extension is installed, accounts can be set up directly in XDEFI or imported from external wallets. Preconfigured blockchains include ETH, BSC, Arbitrum, Thorchain, Bitcoin and more.
XDEFI also gives you the ability to complete in-wallet swaps and purchase cryptos using any currency through its fiat onramp.
Holders of the wallet's own token, XDEFI, can stake their holdings to earn trading rebates and collect utility NFTs.
With the notable exception of MetaMask, all of our best crypto wallet selections can also help you safely store your Bitcoin.
The following are some of our other picks for the best Bitcoin wallets in the US.
| Wallet type | Asset support | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrum Bitcoin Wallet | Hot | Bitcoin only |
| Sparrow Bitcoin Wallet | Hot | Bitcoin only |
| Wasabi Bitcoin Wallet | Hot | Bitcoin only |
| Mycelium Bitcoin Wallet | Hot | Bitcoin only |
| Blockstream Jade | Cold | Bitcoin only* Blockstream Jade technically supports a handful of other assets that exist on Liquid Network – a Bitcoin Layer 2 network. |
| Ledger wallets (Ledger Stax, Ledger Nano X, Ledger Nano S Plus) | Cold | Multi-asset |
| Trezor wallets (Trezor Model T, Trezor Model One) | Cold | Multi-asset |
| SafePal S1 | Cold | Multi-asset |
When deciding which Bitcoin wallet is best for you, you have to first decide whether you'd like to use a hot or cold wallet.
Hot wallets are crypto wallets that remain connected to the internet and are therefore less secure than cold wallets, which are used to store assets offline. Hot wallets can be used in conjunction with a cold wallet like our pick for the Best Bitcoin wallet, the COLDCARD Mk4.
A cryptocurrency wallet is a software program that allows you to store, send and receive digital currencies.
Because cryptocurrency doesn't exist in any physical form, your wallet doesn't actually hold any of your coins – instead, all transactions are recorded and stored on the blockchain.
Some cryptocurrencies have their own official wallets, while other products allow you to store multiple currencies within the same wallet.
Bear in mind that different digital currencies have different address types and you're usually only able to send coins between like wallet addresses. This means you'll need to send Bitcoin to a Bitcoin wallet address, Ethereum to an Ethereum wallet address and so on.
Instead of holding physical coins, a wallet has a public key and a private key.
As well as storing your public and private keys, crypto wallets interface with the blockchains of various cryptos so that you can check your balance and send and receive funds.
The blockchain of any cryptocurrency contains a public record of all the transactions that have been made since it began. Your wallet address keeps a record of all your transactions and tracks your crypto balance. By following the chain all the way to the present day, a wallet can figure out how many coins you have.
For example, let's say Alice sends Bob 0.001 BTC. Once this transaction has been verified and added to the blockchain, the ledger records that the amount of Bitcoin at Alice's wallet address has decreased by 0.001 and that the amount of Bitcoin at Bob's wallet address has increased by 0.001 BTC.
The amounts sent and received as well as the public wallet addresses are all public information.
Watch real Bitcoin transactions happening in real-time.Now that you know how crypto wallets work, let's take a closer look at the different types of wallets available. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of security, ease of use, convenience and a range of other factors.
| Hardware | Software | Exchange | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Excellent | Good | Poor |
| Usability | Easy, but more complex than software | Easy | Easy |
| Convenience | Can't access funds without the hardware device | Need access to the same device you set the wallet up on | Can access from any internet-connected device |
| Risks | Not having access to the device can be an issue if you need instant access | Vulnerable to malware, theft and hacking | Highly vulnerable to phishing and a popular target for hackers |
| Examples | Ledger Nano S Plus, Trezor One | MetaMask, Atomic Wallet | Kraken, Crypto.com |
| Cost | US$50-$300 | Free to download | Free to download |
As you're researching and comparing a range of wallets, you'll probably come across the terms "hot wallet" and "cold wallet", or perhaps the concept of "cold storage."
So, what does temperature have to do with crypto storage?
Now that you know all about the different types of wallets available, it's time to find a wallet that's right for you. To do that, you'll need to consider your needs and compare a range of wallets based on several key factors, including the following:
A wallet should have an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced users. The ability to store and manage a variety of cryptocurrencies is crucial, as the crypto market consists of numerous digital assets. A good wallet should provide a reliable backup and recovery system to protect against data loss or theft of the wallet's private keys. Access to transaction history and reporting features is essential for tracking your cryptocurrency holdings and activities.
Paul Levy
Senior Lecturer, University of Brighton
Interoperability with web3-enabled sites is probably the most important feature after security for crypto wallets today. WalletConnect makes it possible to use a wide range of wallets to interact with web3 sites. Cross-chain compatibility and the ability to do swaps inside the wallet can also make life a lot easier.
Ruadhan O
Creator, Seasonal Tokens
The wallet should be easy to use and navigate. Users should be able to easily send, receive, and store their cryptocurrencies. The wallet should support the cryptocurrencies that users want to use. Multi-signature wallets require multiple signatures to authorize transactions. This makes them more secure than single-signature wallets.Cold storage wallets allow users to store their cryptocurrencies offline. This is the most secure way to store cryptocurrencies, as it protects them from hackers. Some crypto wallets offer additional features, such as staking, lending, and decentralized exchange (DEX) integration.
Mitesh Shah
Founder & CEO, Omnia Markets
You've chosen your wallet and completed the setup process. Now it's time to learn how to use it, so check out the step-by-step instructions below on what you'll need to do.
To send funds from your wallet, you'll need a wallet address (the recipient's public key). These addresses are given in 1 of 3 ways:
Once you have this address, you will need to do the following:
Please note that the exact process will vary depending on the type and brand of wallet you choose. Hardware wallet users will typically need to connect their wallet device, enter a PIN or password and manually verify the transaction on the device itself.
Receiving coins is even easier than sending them. However, wallets vary greatly in the way this is done: some will provide you with a fixed public address, some will give you a new address for every transaction and others will provide a combination of the two.
If you want to hold onto your crypto, there's typically not much you need to do once the funds have arrived in your wallet. You can log in to your wallet whenever required to check your balances. Some currencies may allow you to earn interest on your coins by "staking" your holdings (you may need to follow specific instructions in your wallet to do this).
Other than that, the main thing you need to focus on is maintaining a high level of security at all times.
Learning to use a crypto wallet is an essential part of your journey, but many people find them difficult to use at first. Go slow, read plenty about how they work and remember that each blockchain is different. Test out transactions with small amounts to prevent big mistakes. If you've got a sizeable investment, consider using a hardware wallet for the best security.
James Edwards
Finder's Global Crypto Editor
Wallet security is a crucial consideration for any crypto owner, so keep these tips in mind to ensure you keep your funds as safe as possible:
When you use a non-custodial crypto wallet, you reduce the risk of a third-party custodian like a crypto exchange going under and taking your funds with it. However, there are still risks to using both software and hardware crypto wallets.
Software wallets are always connected to the internet, and, for that reason, can more easily be hacked. Also, if the code for a software wallet is closed-source, you are placing trust in the creator of that wallet to not extract your private keys and, therefore, gain access to the digital assets you manage via the wallet.
Hardware wallets are generally more secure than software wallets in that they remain disconnected from the internet when they aren't in use, while some never have to be connected to the internet. However, if you use a hardware wallet that has native software—like a Ledger or Trezor wallet—there is always the risk that your private keys can be extracted through an issue with the underlying software.
For extra safety, it's best to create a multisignature (or "multisig") set up in which you use two or more wallets to sign transactions and protect your crypto.
We polled a panel of 56 fintech specialists to get their thoughts on the importance of non-custodial wallets and self-custody of crypto assets.
Almost two-thirds of the panel (62%) think crypto holders should transfer their crypto assets into non-custodial wallets in the wake of the collapse of FTX. Just over one-third (34%) don't think crypto holders should do so.
In fact, 64% feel that a consumer's cryptocurrency is not safe unless they are storing their coins in a wallet to which they alone control the private key. Over a fourth (28%) think otherwise while the remaining 8% are unsure.
The majority of the panel (67%) say hardware wallets are the best way to store crypto. However, 10% believe it's best to store crypto in a software wallet and only 2% favor leaving your crypto in the custody of an exchange.
15% feel that other methods are better, including memorizing your seed phrase and destroying all paper copies of it or keeping your funds in a multisig vault.
Given the preference for hardware wallets, it's unsurprising that 93% of the panel expect the adoption of hardware cold wallets to increase, with 56% predicting a decrease in the use of exchange hot wallets.
There's no such thing as a one size fits all "best crypto wallet." The right wallet for you will match your needs, so if security is your number 1 concern, you'll probably end up choosing a different wallet to someone who wants fast and easy access to their coins.
The key thing to remember is to do your research and compare a range of wallets first. Start with our range of crypto wallet reviews to get an idea of what's available and the key features you need to consider.
To evaluate our 2024 picks for the best crypto wallets, we compared 50+ wallets on a range of criteria, including the following:
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrencies are speculative, complex and involve significant risks – they are highly volatile and sensitive to secondary activity. Performance is unpredictable and past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before relying on this information. You should also verify the nature of any product or service (including its legal status and relevant regulatory requirements) and consult the relevant Regulators' websites before making any decision. Finder, or the author, may have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.
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