What is a cryptocurrency wallet?¶

A cryptocurrency wallet manages keys, addresses and transaction instructions. The assets normally remain recorded on the blockchain; the wallet is the control and viewing system, not a container holding coins.

Wallets take several forms¶

Software, browser extensions, hardware, paper backups and hosted services can all support wallet functions. One wallet may control many addresses, assets and networks, and the same seed can be imported onto multiple endpoints.

Displayed balances can be incomplete, synchronised or provider-derived. A wallet on a device does not prove that its owner exclusively controlled every transaction.

Preserve system and network context¶

Record wallet name, application, endpoint, accounts, addresses, history, connected services and relevant times. Treat key and seed material as sensitive and avoid opening, updating or synchronising unnecessarily.

Verify material transactions against the correct network and provider records. Report application, keys, addresses, endpoint and attributed controller separately.