You need an exchange to buy cryptocurrency but hodling is a different story. Whether you own crypto or NFTs, there are a number of services that allow you to keep control of your assets, each with their pros and cons. Getting a wallet is an important step to connect with dapps (decentralized applications) and learn more about the fascinating Web 3 services disrupting the internet as we know it. Consider it your new passport or single-sign-on (SSO) to enter the epic world of Web 3.

Before you pick a wallet, do some research to understand their approach to asset recovery, security, applications, and supporting sites. Ensuring you can safely access your assets is a top priority, but a wallet that does not connect to the best dapps out there would not make much sense either. It depends on what you intend to use your wallet for, how often, and where you want to use it.

As you set up most crypto wallets, you will be given a secret phrase to recover the account. Make sure to hide the secret phrase somewhere safe, this is the only thing keeping your account from getting drained. Imagine your wallet is your bank, and your keys and password is your ATM pin, its more or less the same thing. Your keys, your crypto, it's that simple. Maintain your keys to yourself and you should be fine.

Some of these wallets have evolved quite a bit, way more than just hodling your crypto and NFTs, some allow you to trade and swap tokens on the spot, and the features just keep on coming. We hope this piece allows you to find the wallet that's right for you. Let's go over some of the best wallets in the market:

  • Metamask
  • TrustWallet
  • Rainbow
  • CoinbaseWallet
  • Phantom

Metamask

Without a doubt the king on the block. Metamask is the go to wallet in Web 3, boosting millions of users and connected to thousands of apps. It also let's you swap, buy and sell right on the app. It even lets you buy a conservative amount of crypto with your credit card right on teh spot. The UI could use some work but this wallet has been the OG pick for a while now, and it's no surprise that thousands of dapps can connect to it. Although it is a safe choice for all Web 3 enthusiast, note that you are going to have to look elsewhere if you want to store your Bitcoin.

  • Networks: Ethereum, Fantom, Binance, Avalanche, Polygon
  • Number of Users: 30M+ Users
  • Number of Dapps: 3.7k+
  • NFT Support: Yes
  • Mobile Apps: iOS and Android
  • Browser Extension: Chrome, Firefox, Brave

TrustWallet

Supporting 53 blockchains and 1M+ assets, TrustWallet offers a a vast number of options to store, clearly a friendly option for intermediate Web 3 users in the space. It allows you to buy crypto with your credit card. If you know about the next token that's going to moon, chances are Trust Wallet has it.

  • Networks: Bitcon, Ethereum, Binance, Ripple, Tezos, Solana, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, Dogecoin, and more
  • Number of Users: 25 million
  • Number of Dapps: N/A
  • NFT Support: iOS and Android
  • Browser Extension: Chrome, Firefox, Brave

Rainbow

When it comes to user friendliness and design, Rainbow sets the standard and for sure one to follow. It has gained popularity in the last year, particularly from NFT enthusiast. This wallet seems to be growing without signs of stopping, recently announcing more integrations with popular socila dapps and even Web 2 apps like Instagram.  

  • Networks: Ethereum
  • Number of Users: N/A
  • Number of Dapps: N/A
  • NFT Support: iOS and Android
  • Browser Extension: N/A

Coinbase Wallet

Recently launched by the exchange powerhouse, it is no secret that this wallet has attracted many users from the public company. Coinbase has 56M users at the time of this writing, assuming only 1% of Coinbase user adopt Coinbase Wallet, it would still be one of the most used wallets in the space. The company aims to take the lead in the wallet space, launching both Coinbase Wallet and their new NFT marketplace in 2022. Even though it is relatively early, it is easy to imagine that this wallet will become a full-flag ship product with all the bells and whistles the market has to offer.

  • Networks: Bitcon, Ethereum, Solana, Matic, Avalanche, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and more
  • Number of Users: N/A
  • Number of Dapps: N/A
  • NFT Support: iOS and Android
  • Browser Extension: Chrome, Brave

Phantom

Native to the Solana network, it styles a sleek interface and provides a faster experience than Ethereum thanks to the network latency. It allows you hodl NFTs and other tokens from the Solana network. A solid option for those that want to learn how wallets work without spending money of gas fees, it is no surprise Phantom has seen new wallet sign-ups non-stop during the past few months.  

  • Networks: Solana
  • Number of Users: 2.1M
  • Number of Dapps: N/A
  • NFT Support: iOS and Android (Beta)
  • Browser Extension: Chrome, Firefox
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Whether you are new to crypto wallets or not, remember to check out the migration steps if you ever want to move your assets to another wallet. Just like in any service, access to tutorials and support matters, especially when it comes to handling your money. Using a crypto wallet has its benefits and is the key to navigating the many awesome dapps built today, pick one that's right for you and get started!