What is Wallet?
Last reviewed 2026-05-03
Used by: Safe, Robinhood Crypto
Entity coverage: 3 protocols, 0 tokens, 0 chains reference this concept.
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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