DeFi Intel

What is Wallet?

Plain-English explainer · Updated 2026-05-03 · By DeFi Intel

A wallet is software (or hardware) that holds private keys and signs transactions. Categories: hot/cold, custodial/non-custodial, EOA/smart account. Examples: MetaMask, Rabby, Phantom, Argent, Safe, Coinbase Wallet, Ledger.

How it works

A wallet is software (or hardware) that holds private keys and signs transactions. Categories: hot/cold, custodial/non-custodial, EOA/smart account. Examples: MetaMask, Rabby, Phantom, Argent, Safe, Coinbase Wallet, Ledger.

For deeper protocol-level mechanics, see the related glossary terms below or the linked DeFi Intel topic deep-dive.

Why it matters

The wallet is the user's sovereign interface to crypto. Wallet UX determines mainstream adoption.

Real-world examples

MetaMask, Rabby, Phantom (Solana), Argent, Safe, Coinbase Wallet, Ledger, Trezor, GridPlus, Frame.

Related terms

Go deeper

Read the full DeFi Intel topic deep-dive or browse the complete crypto glossary.

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