Best Bitcoin Wallets 2025: Top Apps, Hardware & Cold Storage
We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More
Some of the best Bitcoin wallets in 2025 include Best Wallet, Trust Wallet, SafePal S1, and Binance Wallet.
If you plan to buy Bitcoin, the first thing you should consider is choosing a compatible crypto wallet. Today, the Bitcoin storage ecosystem is diverse, offering solutions for different needs. Some options focus on convenience but may be vulnerable to hacking, while others offer unmatched security but require more effort to operate.
Understanding the tradeoffs and perks of different wallet types is essential. This guide clears the fog around BTC wallet selection, covering the best solutions across hot and cold wallets for both beginners and seasoned investors planning to store large amounts of crypto.
- In This Article
- In This Article
- Show Full Guide
Best Bitcoin Wallets in 2025 — Top Picks by Use Case
Whether you’re a beginner, DeFi user, long-term holder, or crypto-oriented merchant, we’ve broken down the best crypto wallets by use case to help you find the perfect match.
Each wallet pick is based on our in-house analysis across multiple criteria, including user experience, security, features, and cost. Check out our detailed methodology for more info about how we scored these.
Best Bitcoin Wallets for Beginners
If you’re new to crypto, you’ll be interested in a wallet that puts great emphasis on user experience, accessibility, built-in protection, and in-app guidance.
Beginners prefer the technical aspects to be handled behind the scenes, so they can enjoy a straightforward and visually pleasing interface.
The best Bitcoin wallets for beginners we present below are easy to set up and free to use. Here’s our top selection:
Best Wallet – Best Bitcoin Hot Wallet for Beginners
- Type: Non-custodial mobile wallet
- Cost: Free
- Features: Swaps, portfolio manager, staking, token launchpad
- Fiat on-ramp: Yes
- Multi-chain Support: Yes (over 60 networks)
Score: 10/10
- User-friendly interface
- Supports thousands of cryptocurrencies besides Bitcoin
- Personal cloud wallet backups and easy account recovery
- Allows you to buy BTC with a bank account, cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay
- No browser extension or web version
- Relies on third parties for many features
- Limited track record
Best Wallet is a multi-chain mobile crypto wallet that supports Bitcoin along with 60 other chains, including Ethereum, Solana, and BNB Chain.
Available on both iOS and Android systems, the wallet app offers a range of features that enable you to perform most cryptocurrency operations directly within the app.
Tangem – Best Bitcoin Cold Wallet for Beginners
- Type: Hardware wallet for mobile users
- Cost: From $54.90
- Features: Biometric security, swaps, staking, token analysis
- Fiat on-ramp: Yes
- Multi-chain Support: Yes (over 50 chains)
Score: 8/10
- Secure cold wallet with firmware audited by Kudelski Security and Riscure
- Supports over 3,000 cryptocurrencies
- Offers a 25-year warranty
- Backed by partners like Samsung, Visa, and NXP
- Only works with NFC smartphones
- Losing all cards means losing the stored crypto funds
- Limited native integrations; Connects with WalletConnect for dApp interactions
Tangem is a hardware wallet that stores private keys offline in tamper-proof cards with Samsung-backed chips.
The card can connect with NFC smartphones, where the native app offers features like swaps, fiat on- and off-ramps, and token analysis.
Best Crypto Hot Wallets for Bitcoin
Hot wallets work through an online connection and store your private keys on internet-connected devices. They’re made to be convenient and provide quick access to crypto assets. However, they carry a higher risk of security breaches, so it’s important to select those offering the best protection.
There are two main types of hot wallets:
- Custodial wallets: Offered by centralized platforms like Binance or Coinbase, these wallets control user funds by holding the private keys. They’re considered to be the least secure wallets. In H1 2025, centralized platforms accounted for more than half of all major crypto thefts.
- Non-custodial wallets: Also referred to as self-custody wallets, they give users full control over the private keys, ensuring a higher level of security. They come as browser extensions, mobile apps, or desktop applications.
Due to their superior security and privacy, the majority of the best hot wallets are non-custodial. Here are our top picks.
Zengo – Best Bitcoin Wallet for Android
- Type: Non-custodial wallet for mobile users
- Cost: Free
- Features: Swaps, staking, NFTs
- Fiat on-ramp: Yes
- Multi-chain Support: Yes (over 15 chains)
Score: 8.5/10
- Multi-Party Computation (MPC) cryptography to replace private keys and seed phrases
- 3D FaceLock system for quick recovery
- Real-time risk assessments and alerts to protect against Web3 attacks
- Supports over 1,000 coins and NFTs across multiple chains
- While many chains are supported, Solana is not available
- The Pro version, offering extra features, is quite expensive at $129.99 per year
Zengo is a self-custody mobile wallet built with security in mind. It challenges the “not your keys, not your crypto” mantra as outdated, relying on MPC cryptography instead of seed phrases and private keys.
The Pro version, which costs $129.99 per year, offers extra features like up to five segregated wallets, a Web3 firewall, and a private Bitcoin transaction mode.
Margex Wallet – Best Bitcoin Wallet App for iOS
- Type: Custodial wallet for web and iOS
- Cost: Free
- Features: Perpetual futures, copy trading, staking
- Fiat on-ramp: Yes
- Multi-chain Support: Yes (over 10 chains)
Score: 7/10
- Connects to the Margex exchange for futures trading
- Offers up to 100x leverage for perpetual futures
- Learn section with detailed guides, video tutorials, updates, and a help center
- Standalone iOS app for copy trading
- Custodial wallet that controls user funds
- Only about 30 cryptocurrencies for trading and over 100 coins for storage
- Doesn’t support spot trading
Margex is a derivatives trading platform that offers “multicollateral wallets” to let users deposit multiple cryptocurrencies and use them as collateral for trading perpetual futures.
It’s available as a web platform and mobile app for iOS devices, serving as a custodial storage solution.
Trust Wallet – Best Desktop Bitcoin Wallet
- Type: Non-custodial wallet for web and mobile users
- Cost: Free
- Features: Swaps, staking, NFTs
- Fiat on-ramp: Yes
- Multi-chain Support: Yes (over 100 chains)
Score: 9/10
- Supports millions of assets across more than 100 chains
- Built-in monitoring tools like Security Scanner
- ISO-certified and audited by Certik, Halborn, Kudelsky, and Quantstamp
- No fees (only network fees)
- No traditional 2FA via SMS code, email, or specialized app (only biometric authentication)
- Relies on third-party integrations for advanced features
- Limited customer support
Trust Wallet is one of the most popular non-custodial wallets. It’s often used as an alternative to MetaMask because it also supports Bitcoin and many non-EVM chains.
The wallet comes in the form of a mobile app and browser extension. It is easy to use and charges no fees for storage or swapping.
OKX Wallet – Best Non-Custodial Bitcoin Software Wallet
- Type: Non-custodial wallet for web and mobile users
- Cost: Free
- Features: Swaps, staking, NFTs, OKX integration
- Fiat on-ramp: No
- Multi-chain Support: Yes (over 130 chains)
Score: 8/10
- Supports multiple chains besides EVM networks, including Bitcoin
- Integrates with the OKX exchange, where users can trade and benefit from all platform features
- Offers a native Web3 ecosystem, consisting of analytics tools, a portfolio manager, a meme coin tracker, signals, and more
- Direct access to DeFi, NFTs, and staking
- No fiat on-ramp to buy crypto with USD or other currencies
- The extensive features with OKX integration might be overwhelming for beginners
- Occasional long support delays
OKX Wallet is a crypto storage solution designed to smoothly connect to Web3. While integrating with the centralized OKX platform, it’s a separate application that gives you full control over your funds.
The wallet allows you to create up to 1,000 sub-accounts and manage their keys.
Best Bitcoin Hardware/Cold Wallets
Cold wallets are physical devices or cards that keep private keys offline. They’re regarded as the most secure wallet options.
Here’s what you should look for when selecting a cold wallet:
- Security features: Make sure it has advanced security elements and backup options. Usually, secure wallets have at least an EAL5 rating from the Common Criteria, which is the gold standard for cybersecurity products.
- Compatibility: Some wallets support a wide range of digital assets beyond Bitcoin, providing access to Web3.
- Convenience: Most providers have companion apps. If you’re a beginner, check their interface and navigation to ensure they’re easy to use.
- Quality: If possible, inspect the build quality of the hardware device. You need a rigid and high-quality wallet for long-term storage.
- Price: The prices of cold wallets vary, and you should first determine how much you plan to hold. The price of entry-level wallets starts at $50.
With this in mind, let’s explore the best cold wallets this year.
Cypherock X1 – Best Hardware Wallet for Long-Term BTC Storage
- Type: Hardware wallet
- Cost: From $99
- Features: Decentralized hardware wallet using Shamir’s Secret Sharing, EAL6+ security, and CySync App for crypto management
- Fiat on-ramp: Yes (via CySync)
- Multi-chain Support: Yes (over 30 chains)
Score: 8/10
- EAL6+ security level and decentralized wallet design
- No seed phrase backup
- Integrates with WalletConnect to access DeFi
- Long-term data retention
- Uses a plastic casing instead of metal
- The 0.96-inch OLED display is relatively small
- The companion app isn’t available on mobile devices
Cypherock X1 is one of the safest wallet options. It consists of 5 elements — a vault and four cards — to decentralize private key storage through Shamir’s Secret Sharing.
To initiate a transaction, you simply need to tap one of the four cards on the X1 Vault. The prices for this wallet range from $99 to $249.
COLDCARD – Best Cold Wallet for Large Bitcoin Holdings
- Type: Hardware wallet
- Cost: From $177.94
- Features: Air-gapped storage, dual chips, open-source code
- Fiat on-ramp: No
- Multi-chain Support: No
Score: 7/10
- Multiple security features to protect against physical and online attacks
- Air-gapped operation that allows users to sign transactions completely offline
- MicroSD card slot for offline backups
- Compatible with software wallets like Nunchuk, Sparrow, Bitcoin Core, Electrum, and BlueWallet
- Supports Bitcoin only
- It can be too complex for beginners and less convenient for frequent use
- Some devices cost over $500
COLDCARD is a Bitcoin-only hardware wallet designed to keep private keys completely offline. It stores BTC keys in an air-gapped state, meaning it can never connect to the Internet like Ledger or Trezor wallets.
The device utilizes two separate chips from different manufacturers for enhanced security and implements multiple security measures, including trick pins designed to confuse malicious actors.
SafePal S1 – Most Affordable Bitcoin Hardware Wallet
- Type: Hardware wallet
- Cost: $49.99
- Features: EAL6+ security, air-gapped experience, SafePal app for Web3
- Fiat on-ramp: Yes
- Multi-chain Support: Yes (over 200 chains)
Score: 7.5/10
- Air-gapped operation to store private keys completely offline
- Native app supports thousands of assets on 200+ chains, offering swaps and fiat on-ramp
- Supports NFTs and staking through the app
- Better price than most competitors
- SafePal is designed for mobile devices only
- Kraken Security Labs found security flaws in the wallet back in 2021
- Some users reported issues with connectivity and battery life
The SafePal S1 is the most popular and affordable hardware wallet offered by SafePal. It offers air-gapped security by default, but can also be connected via USB if needed.
The wallet integrates with the SafePal app, which provides an intuitive interface to access thousands of tokens, initiate cross-chain swaps, and access dApps.
Best Bitcoin Lightning Network Wallet
Bitcoin Lightning wallets integrate with the Lightning Network, a Bitcoin Layer 2 payment system designed to increase the speed of BTC transactions by processing them off-chain.
While Bitcoin is the most secure and decentralized blockchain network thanks to its proof-of-work (PoW) algorithm, it is very rigid compared to newer chains. The network can handle only about five transactions per second, reaching finality in up to one hour.
The Lightning Network lets users handle millions of BTC transactions off-chain with near-instant settlement time.
Here is how it works:
- Payment channel opening: Two users open a channel by committing some BTC to a multi-signature address on the mainnet.
- Off-chain transactions: Once the channel is live, the users send BTC back and forth quickly.
- Channel closing: After concluding the set of BTC transactions, the two users can close the channel, with the net result of their off-chain activity being recorded on the mainnet.
When selecting a Bitcoin Lightning Network wallet, analyze factors like private key control, channel management, and reputation.
Here are some of the best Bitcoin wallets supporting the Lightning Network operations.
Binance Wallet – Best Lightning Wallet for Beginners
- Type: Hot custodial wallet
- Cost: Free
- Features: Spot and futures trading platform, multi-chain support, staking, trading bots, launchpool, mining pool
- Fiat on-ramp: Yes
- Multi-chain Support: Yes (over 100 chains)
Score: 7.5/10
- Largest crypto platform by trading volume, ensuring deep liquidity
- Access to the Lightning Network directly from your Binance account
- Benefit from various trading features and products, including a futures trading platform, launchpad, staking, trading bots, and more
- Trade Bitcoin against hundreds of supported crypto assets
- Holding Bitcoin with a centralized platform means entrusting private keys to a third party
- Many Binance features and assets are not available in the U.S.
- The platform may require KYC verification
Binance has been the largest crypto exchange by trading volume for years, currently exceeding the second spot by over five times. The trading platform supports Bitcoin trading against hundreds of tokens and added support for the Lightning Network in 2023, enabling faster transactions.
Note that Binance’s self-custody wallet version doesn’t support the Lightning Network feature.
Blockstream Jade – Best Lightning Wallet for Advanced Users
- Type: Hardware wallet
- Cost: $79.00
- Features: Integration with Liquid network, LCD display, USB and Bluetooth connection, camera, air-gapped experience, and integrates with the Blockstream app
- Fiat on-ramp: Yes (via the Blockstream app)
- Multi-chain Support: No (Only Bitcoin and Liquid Network assets)
Score: 7/10
- A virtual secure element chip that prevents private key extraction from the physical device
- The hardware and the software app are both open source
- Supports multiple connections, including USB, Bluetooth, and a built-in camera to scan QR codes for air-gapped transactions
- Natively integrates the Liquid Network, another Bitcoin Layer 2 focused on speed
- Doesn’t support chains other than Bitcoin
- The user experience can be less intuitive due to the clunky screen
- The metal body device costs $149.00
Jade is a hardware Bitcoin wallet that supports the Liquid Network, a Bitcoin Layer 2 solution developed by Blockstream, which provides the wallet and its companion app as well.
While Liquid differs from the Lightning Network, the Blockstream app also supports the latter, especially as it also helps clients integrate Lightning through its Greenlight service.
BlueWallet – Best Non-Custodial Lightning Network Wallet
- Type: Non-custodial hot wallet
- Cost: Free
- Features: Lightning Network integration, desktop and mobile app
- Fiat on-ramp: Yes
- Multi-chain Support: No
Score: 6.5/10
- Bitcoin-focused non-custodial wallet with native integration of the Lightning Network
- Fiat on-ramp for easy BTC purchases
- Multi-signature wallet support
- Allows users to pay BTC to multiple sources at once
- Doesn’t support other chains beyond Bitcoin
- The Lightning wallet is custodial by default, with users having to connect to their own Lightning node for self-custody
- Lack of educational resources and trading tools
BlueWallet is a Lightning wallet developed in 2017 to meet the growing demand for fast Bitcoin transactions. Despite the Web3 boom, it has remained committed to the Bitcoin cause and has not expanded to other chains.
The wallet is available as a desktop and mobile app and offers multiple security and UX features, including a multisig vault, plausible deniability (where you can create fake wallets to confuse attackers), and batch transactions.
Best Bitcoin Wallets Compared
Now let’s compare the best Bitcoin wallets side by side. The table below breaks down the 12 carefully selected wallets across three key categories: type, features, and platform support.
To begin with, the wallet type defines whether it’s hot or cold, custodial or non-custodial. If you prefer full control over your crypto assets, opt for one of the best non-custodial wallets.
Meanwhile, the extra features and platform support impact user experience and how easily you can manage funds.
| Type | Features | Platform Support | Score | |
| Best Wallet | Hot, Non-custodial | Multi-chain, swaps, staking, token launchpad | Mobile app (iOS, Android) | 10 |
| Tangem | Cold, Non-custodial | Biometric security, staking, swaps, 25-year warranty | NFC, Mobile app (iOS, Android) | 8 |
| Zengo | Hot, Non-custodial | MPC security, FaceLock, real-time threat alerts | Mobile app (iOS, Android) | 8.5 |
| Margex | Hot, Custodial | Copy trading, leverage trading, perpetual futures | Web, iOS | 7 |
| Trust Wallet | Hot, Non-custodial | Multi-chain, staking, NFT storage, security scanner | iOS, Android, Browser extension | 9 |
| OKX Wallet | Hot, Non-custodial | OKX integration, multi-chain DeFi tools, staking, analytics | iOS, Android, Browser Extension | 8 |
| Cypherock X1 | Cold, Non-custodial | Shamir’s Secret Sharing, EAL6+, no seed phrase backup | Desktop App | 8 |
| COLDCARD | Cold, Non-custodial | Dual chips, microSD backups | SD Card | 7 |
| SafePal S1 | Cold, Non-custodial | Air-gapped, multi-chain, swaps, NFTs, staking | Mobile app (iOS, Android) | 7.5 |
| Binance Wallet | Hot, Custodial | Binance integration, Lightning support, spot and futures trading access, deep liquidity | Web, Mobile app | 7.5 |
| Blockstream Jade | Cold, Non-custodial | Bitcoin + Liquid support, open-source, multiple connection methods | USB, Bluetooth, Mobile app | 7 |
| BlueWallet | Hot, Non-custodial | Lightning support, batch transactions, multisig, fake wallets for extra security | Mobile app (iOS, Android), Desktop app (Windows, macOS) | 6.5 |
The choice of the best Bitcoin wallet depends on your goals and how frequently you plan to use it. Here are a few practical recommendations:
- If you’re a complete beginner with less than $100 in Bitcoin, try Best Wallet or Zengo. These are mobile apps that are easy to set up and support fiat on-ramps.
- If you have a large Bitcoin holding and prioritize security, go for Cypherock X1 or COLDCARD. The former eliminates the need for seed phrase storage, while the latter is air-gapped and focuses on Bitcoin only.
- If you run a business and plan to make frequent, low-fee Bitcoin payments via Lightning, BlueWallet and Blockstream Jade are some great choices.
- If you want to use Bitcoin for DeFi opportunities or need to hold altcoins as well, choose Trust Wallet or OKX Wallet for their multi-chain support and dApp access.
What Is a Bitcoin Wallet? Key Concepts
A Bitcoin wallet is an application, hardware device, or other tool for storing Bitcoin. Most wallets also enable users to send and receive BTC.
As you know, Bitcoin is a virtual and intangible asset, so in reality, these specialized crypto wallets generate and store your private and public keys. There is no Bitcoin in the wallet, but rather your keys prove ownership of the Bitcoin that’s stored on the blockchain.
The private keys must always be kept secret, as anyone who holds them has access to your BTC funds. The public keys are derived from the private ones and are used to receive BTC. They’re cryptographically related, but you can’t find out the private key from the public one.
👉 Check out our article discussing more details about how private and public keys work.
During wallet setup, one of the most important steps is to write down the seed phrase – a series of 12-24 words that serve as a backup for recovering the wallet if you forget the password or lose the device.
While private keys are tied to individual wallets, the seed phrase can regenerate all associated private keys, ensuring full access to the stored crypto funds. Again, it’s important to write the seed down and keep it offline rather than on your computer or phone.
Today, more than 50 million addresses hold at least $1 worth of BTC. These addresses are managed in various ways, as Bitcoin wallets come in all shapes and sizes.
Here are the main categories:
- Custodial vs non-custodial wallets: As mentioned earlier, custodial wallets are tied to centralized platforms that hold the private keys for their users. Non-custodial ones give full control over the private keys and funds, ensuring a higher level of security. They come as browser extensions, mobile apps, or desktop applications.
- Hot vs cold wallets: Wallets can also be categorized as hot, which are connected to the internet, or cold, which hold private keys offline.
Here are some examples of wallets falling under these categories:
| Hot Wallet | Cold Wallet | |
| Custodial | Binance, Coinbase, OKX | ❌ |
| Non-Custodial | Best Wallet, Trust Wallet | Ledger, Cypherock X1, COLDCARD |
Beyond these categories, Bitcoin wallets can be specialized. For example, Lightning Network wallets are designed to integrate the Lightning Network system and handle fast BTC transactions.
Some Bitcoin wallets, like Trust Wallet, act as one-stop Web3 solutions, supporting dozens of chains and thousands of assets. When choosing a wallet, you should think about finding the right balance between convenience and control.
To stay secure, follow these practices:
- Use only official wallet apps or extensions
- Keep your operating system (Windows, Android, iOS) and software up to date
- Buy directly from manufacturers and official stores
- Don’t click on suspect links or approve unverified wallet requests
What to Look for in the Best Bitcoin Wallet (2025)
The main function of every Bitcoin wallet is to store private keys, but they’re not equal. With Bitcoin adoption growing steadily over the past few years, the range of wallet options has diversified considerably.
This section breaks down the key aspects to look for in a wallet, depending on your specific goals.
1. Security and Trust
First and foremost, you should care about your wallet’s security level. Opt for wallets with independent security audits and open-source code that can be publicly verified. Some wallets have proven resilient over the years, building a strong reputation.
Hardware wallets should have secure chips and tamper resistance for extra security.
2. Features
Check whether the wallet offers the features you need, such as:
- Lightning payments that use the Lightning Network enable simultaneous transactions at a low cost.
- Multi-signature security, where the wallet requires multiple keys to approve transactions.
- Privacy via Tor, which hides your IP address.
- The ability to run your own node offers the highest level of security and privacy by eliminating reliance on third-party servers.
- Support for multiple chains and assets beyond Bitcoin.
3. Platforms and OS Compatibility
Make sure the wallet works on your device, whether it’s a phone (Android or iOS), computer (Windows or macOS), or a dedicated hardware unit. Cross-platform support can be helpful if you use multiple devices.
4. User Experience
Security is imperative, but you might want a usable wallet. You can look for wallets with clear and intuitive interfaces and easy navigation. This is especially important if you’re new to crypto and want many operations to be handled behind the scenes.
5. Fees and Cost
Wallets handle transaction fees in different ways. Some allow you to preview and customize fees, others don’t. Also, consider the cost of hardware wallets and any hidden fees for fiat on-ramps.
6. Local and Regional Factors
While cryptocurrencies are borderless, wallets may be restricted in certain regions. Also, hardware devices may not be available for shipping in certain regions or may experience longer delivery times.
What Is the Safest Place to Store Bitcoin?
The safest way to store Bitcoin is through a self-custody cold wallet, such as a hardware wallet that keeps private keys offline. You can use a securely stored seed phrase and add multisig setups for extra protection. Cypherock X1 and COLDCARD are examples of some of the most secure Bitcoin wallets.
Use wallets that have open-source code and a clear track record of audits and updates. Make sure to buy the hardware device directly from the manufacturer or trusted sources.
While third-party custody offers convenience, self-custody gives you full control over your funds, but it also means taking full responsibility for keeping your assets safe.
How to Install and Use a Bitcoin Wallet (Step-by-Step for Beginners)
Here is how to set up your first Bitcoin wallet:
- Choose a wallet: Select a trusted app or hardware wallet from the official website or app store. Beginners can start with a self-custody hot wallet like Best Wallet.
- Set up and back up: After downloading, create a new wallet and write down the seed phrase to store it offline. Remember that it’s the only way to recover access. Some wallets, like Best Wallet, offer personal cloud wallet backups and easy account recovery by connecting to your email account, eliminating the need for a seed phrase.
- Receive Bitcoin: Copy your BTC address or scan your wallet’s QR code to receive transfers. Start with a small amount to test your address first. On Best Wallet, you should tap on BTC and look for “Receive.”
- Send Bitcoin: Once you have BTC in your wallet, you can also initiate your first transfer. Enter the recipient’s address or the address of another wallet you own, double-check it, and confirm the transaction.
If you need to use the Lightning Network for multiple transactions at a low cost, choose a wallet with Lightning support and follow these simple steps:
- Open a Lightning channel (some wallets do this automatically).
- Fund it with BTC to enable instant payments.
- If the recipient doesn’t support Lightning, the wallet may fall back to an on-chain transaction.
How to Convert Bitcoin to Cash (Fiat)
If you want to cash out your Bitcoin, the easiest way is to use one of the best centralized exchanges like Binance or Coinbase.
Here is how you can do this:
- Transfer BTC from your non-custodial wallet to your BTC address on the exchange.
- Sell you BTC for USD or another supported fiat currency.
- Initiate a withdrawal by choosing one of the available options, e.g., wire transfer or credit card.
A more straightforward method would be to use ATMs that allow you to sell BTC and receive cash, but fees can be high.
Also, while most crypto wallets offer fiat on-ramps, only a few of them allow fiat withdrawals. Zengo, for example, offers a fiat off-ramp through partners like Ramp Network.
Note that Bitcoin transfers may be taxable, so make sure to always check crypto-related tax rules and legal requirements in your jurisdiction.
Common Risks and How to Avoid Them
The crypto space is flooded with different types of risks as the market continues to mature. This is to be expected from an emerging industry that relies entirely on tech.
Therefore, beginners should beware of phishing scams, hardware failures, custodial risks, and Lightning channel risks. They should also beware of exorbitant fees when using the Lightning Network.
Interestingly, while Bitcoin’s share in on-chain crypto crime has been steadily declining, stablecoins have become the main target for scammers. This is something to be aware of when you exchange your BTC.
Some of the most common scams these days include high-yield trading schemes, address poisoning, rug pulls, and pig butchering, where the scammer builds a romantic online relationship with the victim to gain their trust and convince them to invest or transfer crypto into the scammers’ wallet.
Future Trends for Bitcoin Wallets (2025 and Beyond)
Bitcoin wallets are continually evolving to enhance security, counter new scam methods, and improve the user experience.
Here are some of the newer innovations that are expected to further advance in the future:
- Privacy tools: Privacy-enhancing methods like multi-party computation (MPC) and threshold signatures are expected to become more popular. The MPC feature eliminates the need to store complex seed phrases by splitting a private key across multiple parties.
- Better Lightning UX: Specialized wallets will automate Lightning channel creation and management, making instant, low-fee BTC payments convenient for non-tech-savvy users.
- Hardware innovations: In addition to typical USB wallets like Ledger or Trezor, you may see more new formats like slim wallet cards and biometric wearables.
- Integration with DeFi: Bitcoin is currently the fourth-largest chain in DeFi, crossing a record $9B in total value locked (TVL) in October 2025. Therefore, you may see more wallets with built-in access to decentralized apps and cross-chain integration.
Methodology: How We Selected the Best Bitcoin Wallets
We reviewed dozens of Bitcoin wallets and picked the best ones based on key criteria for users. Our overall ranking considers four equally weighted categories, including security, UX, features, and pricing. Each has a 25% share of the final score.
Security – 25%
Needless to say, security is the most important aspect of any Bitcoin wallet. With a secure wallet, you can have peace of mind that your Bitcoin funds are protected from potential scams and losses. Thankfully, newer wallets integrate innovative features, like MPC technology, for safe BTC storage.
We examined each wallet’s security model, including its control over private keys, encryption methods, open-source code, cold storage approach, and audit history. Wallets that offer secure cold storage with independent audits earned the best score.
User Experience – 25%
To ensure mass adoption, Bitcoin wallets should be easy to use and offer a Web2-like experience. This is especially important for beginners who are not familiar with the technicalities of blockchain technology. With a good UX model, the wallet would enable users to send and receive Bitcoin securely.
We assessed the onboarding and Bitcoin management process of the reviewed wallets. Those with confusing setups scored lower, while those with intuitive interfaces and in-app guidance got the best scores.
Support for Altcoins and Additional Features – 25%
Although all of the listed wallets support Bitcoin, some of them go further by integrating other chains, serving as gateways to DeFi and Web3. These and other extra features help users manage their Bitcoin and altcoin holdings without having to switch between multiple apps, which lowers the risk of errors.
We checked whether the wallet offers multi-chain and multi-asset support as well as native integration with DeFi. We also looked for features like fee customization, Lightning auto channel management, fiat on/off-ramps, and privacy tools. Wallets offering extra functionality beyond Bitcoin storage ranked higher.
Pricing and Value for Money – 25%
Security is imperative, but it may often come at a high price. Some cold wallets are going to cost you $150 or higher, which may not be worth it, especially if you want to start your Bitcoin journey with small amounts. Thankfully, there are many wallet apps that you can use for free, charging only small transfer or network fees.
We evaluated hardware wallet pricing, app fees, as well as any hidden costs. However, free wallets didn’t automatically get the higher score: our goal was to assess how much real value you get for the price you pay.
Conclusion: What Is the Best Bitcoin Wallet?
There is no best Bitcoin wallet that would be ideal on all fronts. Hardware wallets are known for their superior security, but they’re most difficult to utilize on a daily basis. Elsewhere, many hot wallets are user-friendly, but they can’t offer the same protection as cold options.
Bitcoin investors have to define their specific needs before choosing a wallet. Still, we found that the Best Wallet app lives up to its name, offering a great balance between security and user experience for beginners as well as more advanced traders.
It is available on your mobile, offers full control over your private keys, supports multiple chains, enables crypto purchases with fiat, and can serve as a gateway to Web3.
If you prioritize security, go for Cypherock X1 or COLDCARD, which will keep your private keys offline. Meanwhile, Lightning users may prefer BlueWallet or Blockstream Jade for high-speed transactions.
Visit Best WalletFAQs
Can I recover my BTC if I lose my wallet or seed phrase?
Do Bitcoin wallets work without an internet connection?
Are multi-currency wallets safe for storing Bitcoin alongside other cryptocurrencies?
How do Bitcoin wallets handle transaction fees and confirmations?
References
- Bitcoin Rich List (BitInfoCharts)
- Hack Track: Inside the CoinDCX Exploit (Merkle Science)
- Kraken Security Labs Finds Flaws in Safepal S1 Hardware Wallet (Kraken)
- On-Chain Crime by Asset Chart (Chainalysis)
2M+
250+
8
70
in numbers
About Cryptonews
Our goal is to offer a comprehensive and objective perspective on the cryptocurrency market, enabling our readers to make informed decisions in this ever-changing landscape.
Our editorial team of more than 70 crypto professionals works to maintain the highest standards of journalism and ethics. We follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure the integrity and credibility of our content.
Whether you’re looking for breaking news, expert opinions, or market insights, Cryptonews has been your go-to destination for everything cryptocurrency since 2017.
