Safe and simple storage: 6 top crypto wallets for 2026

Just like dollar bills, digital assets need to be stored somewhere safe and reliable. On the blockchain, this means using a decentralized alternative called a crypto wallet. There are dozens of accessible and trusted crypto wallets – many of which are free to download and test – for every kind of trader.

Since crypto wallets hold the keys to valuable coins, crypto holders need to take their wallet search seriously. The rising number of crypto wallets can also make it more challenging to pick the best option for you. In this guide, learn about the top crypto wallets in 2026 so you can store digital assets without worrying about losing your hard-earned coins.

What’s a crypto wallet?

A crypto wallet is a tool that lets users access their cryptocurrencies. These wallets don’t directly store digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH), which only exist on the blockchain. Instead, crypto wallets create a unique, cryptographically secure “home address” for these digital assets on compatible decentralized networks. This allows users to view and access their crypto whenever they want.

Crypto wallets can be custodial (which a third party owns and controls) or self-custodial (which you own and control). When you set up a self-custodial crypto wallet, you receive a private key, usually in the form of a seed phrase with 12 to 24 English words. The private key is the most important part of a crypto wallet because anyone who knows the seed phrase or private key can access, trade, or sell the assets on that part of the blockchain.

Private keys are also the only way you can recover your crypto if you lose access to your original wallet. Anyone who uses a crypto wallet needs to take extreme care with their private keys and never reveal them to anyone – losing a private key or getting hacked means permanently losing access to the assets.

Crypto wallets also have public keys that are safe to share. Public keys are what let you receive crypto in your account, or send it to another user’s wallet. Although public keys link to a wallet’s private keys, there’s no way to reverse-engineer this sensitive information.

Hot vs. cold wallets

There are two types of crypto wallets: hot wallets and cold wallets. Hot wallets (also called cryptocurrency software wallets) are mobile or desktop applications that are always online. Although hot wallets are more convenient and often free to download, they’re less secure and carry a higher risk of hacks because they’re constantly connected to the internet.

Hot wallets on third-party platforms, such as centralized exchanges (CEXs), aren’t controlled by their owners. These custodial wallets have a counterparty who controls the digital assets inside and can freeze funds at their discretion rather than sharing private keys directly with the owner.

By contrast, cold wallets store private keys offline as a buffer between hackers and your crypto assets. The earliest form of cold wallets was printed QR codes, but these paper wallets fell out of favor as specialized hardware wallets became more accessible. Hardware wallets usually look like USB drives, and they offer a more durable way to keep crypto secure.

What to look for in a crypto wallet

Safety is the most important feature when choosing a crypto wallet, but that doesn’t mean other factors like usability and compatibility don’t come into play. How you use your wallet will determine which features you should prioritize.

Here are a few of the most important features to consider when researching crypto wallets.

Security standards

A good crypto wallet needs to have strong reliability and security credentials, including third-party audit reports, high-grade encryption, and few (if any) breaches in its history. Extra features like biometric login and passkeys add more protection between you and your crypto, and software wallets that can integrate with hardware units provide greater security while you’re navigating Web3.

Supported cryptocurrencies

Even multi-asset crypto wallets don’t necessarily connect to every blockchain. Double-check the wallet’s official list of supported networks to ensure it can hold the cryptocurrencies you want to store.

UI/UX and ease-of-use

Without a clean UI/UX, even experienced traders can make rookie mistakes, like confirming transactions to invalid blockchain addresses. Review the layout of each crypto wallet’s interface to see how intuitive it is to navigate between screens, and read the wallet’s official educational content to get a better sense of navigation in practice.

Web3 connectivity

Crypto enthusiasts most interested in fields like decentralized finance (DeFi) or non-fungible token (NFT) trading need a self-custodial wallet that links to decentralized applications (dApps) on their preferred chain. In these cases, focus on the best DeFi wallets with built-in Web3 integrations, customizable gas fees, and high accessibility for the smoothest experience.

Bonus features

After narrowing down a list of potential crypto wallets, look into the little details that make each wallet different. They might include extras like in-app crypto purchases, native staking, or linked debit cards. None of these bonuses should take precedence over how the wallet works, but it can work as a final test to choose the right fit for you.

The top 6 crypto wallets for 2026

Here are six of the best crypto wallets to compare so you can find a safe and convenient storage option for your digital assets.

Base App

In 2025, the CEX Coinbase unveiled a massive change to its self-custodial Coinbase Wallet with the launch of the Base App. Besides the name change, this multi-chain mobile-first software wallet brands itself as an “everything app” with significantly more integrations and features than its predecessor.

In addition to storing and sending crypto in-app, the Base App comes with built-in connections to decentralized social feeds, AI agents, and seamless fiat onramps. Users who want a mobile-focused experience with direct connections to Web3 will find plenty to explore with Coinbase’s next-gen offering.

• Wallet type: Multi-chain hot wallet.
• Best features: Connections to decentralized mini-apps throughout Web3, built-in social media, interest payments on USDC, fee-free global USDC transfers, secure crypto storage, in-app trading, and fiat onramps and offramps.
• Supported chains: Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) chains, Solana (SOL), XRP, and Dogecoin (DOGE).

Ledger Nano X

Ledger cemented its name in crypto with the flagship Ledger Nano S hardware wallet in 2016. In 2019, the Ledger team created a more user-friendly version of their original model: Ledger Nano X. It remains a popular hardware wallet for its blend of convenience and security.

While both Ledger Nano S and Ledger Nano X meet high-grade encryption standards, including a Secure Element chip, only the latter supports Bluetooth connectivity. Among Ledger’s high-end touchscreen-enabled products, the Ledger Nano X offers a compelling blend of security and ease of use at a reasonable price.

• Wallet type: Hardware wallet.
• Best features: Bluetooth connectivity, Secure Element chip, OLED display, and optional passphrase to supplement private keys.
• Supported chains: Supports 5,500+ coins and tokens, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, EVM chains, Solana, and Dogecoin.

Trezor Safe 5

Marek “Slush” Palatinus and Pavol “Stick” Rusnák made history in 2014 when they released the first mass-produced hardware wallet, called the Trezor Model 1. Since then, Trezor’s parent company, SatoshiLabs, has continued to strengthen its reputation for innovation with updated wallet designs, including the Trezor Safe 5.

Similar to the Ledger Nano X, the Trezor Safe 5 is Trezor’s mid-range option that offers convenience at a slightly lower price point than the premium Trezor Safe 7. Although the Trezor Safe 5 doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity, it has a touchscreen display that makes confirming transactions simpler, as well as the assurance of a Secure Element chip and Trezor’s high standards for transparency and security.

• Wallet type: Hardware wallet.
• Best features: Secure Element chip, Gorilla Glass-protected touchscreen display, USB-C connection, open source code, optional passphrase, and Shamir backup.
• Supported chains: 1,000+ coins and tokens, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, EVM tokens, Solana, and Dogecoin.

MetaMask

With over 100 million users, MetaMask is one of the most influential and trusted crypto wallets in Web3. The company ConsenSys initially created MetaMask as a browser extension to help users interact with Ethereum, but it now connects to several other blockchains and offers features like staking rewards, in-app swaps, and even prediction markets through Polymarket.

MetaMask built its reputation as a DeFi wallet thanks to its accessibility and customizability on countless dApps, but it’s steadily becoming a top all-in-one app for managing crypto.

• Wallet type: Multi-chain hot wallet.
• Best features: In-app swaps, crypto purchases, hardware wallet connection, staking, prediction markets, and MetaMask debit card.
• Supported chains: Ethereum, EVM chains, Solana, and Bitcoin.

Trust Wallet

The developer Viktor Radchenko created Trust Wallet in 2017 as a simple-to-use mobile app for Ethereum tokens. One year later, the CEX Binance acquired Trust Wallet and significantly expanded its reach and services while preserving its self-custodial features. Now, over 200 million people use Trust Wallet’s mobile app and desktop browser extension to manage cryptocurrencies on 100+ blockchains and take advantage of features like swapping and staking.

• Wallet type: Multi-chain hot wallet.
• Best features: Crypto swaps, staking, NFT storage, Web3 browser extension, hardware wallet connection, and Security Scanner.
• Supported chains: 100+ blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, EVM tokens, Solana, Dogecoin, and Sui.

Exodus

In 2015, duo J.P. Richardson and Daniel Castagnoli set out to design a user-friendly software wallet: Exodus. To this day, the Exodus wallet receives widespread praise for its stylish, streamlined UI/UX, making it a popular choice for beginners seeking multi-asset storage.

Although the main draws of downloading the Exodus app are its layout and broad blockchain support, it also offers many other benefits, like in-app staking, swapping, and a Web3 browser extension.

• Wallet type: Multi-chain hot wallet.
• Best features: Staking, swapping, NFT gallery, hardware wallet integration, 24/7 customer support, Web3 browser extension, and transparency as an NYSE-registered company.
• Supported chains: 50+ blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, EVM chains, Dogecoin, Solana, and Cardano (ADA).

Connect every crypto wallet to CoinTracker

No matter your preferred crypto wallet, CoinTracker can help you keep track of every transaction. Our Portfolio Tracker software integrates with over 500 self-custodial wallets and exchanges that support thousands of cryptocurrencies. Link your public wallet address and exchange APIs to CoinTracker for a comprehensive view of your crypto activities. CoinTracker can also import this data into IRS-compliant forms ready for a tax professional or service like TurboTax and H&R Block.

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Disclaimer: This post is informational only and is not intended as tax advice. For tax advice, please consult a tax professional.

FAQ

What are software crypto wallets?

Software crypto wallets, also called hot wallets, are digital applications that store a user's public and private keys for their cryptocurrencies. Some software wallets only work on mobile or desktop, but an increasing number support both.

What’s the best crypto wallet for beginners?

The top crypto wallets for beginners have an intuitive UI/UX and high security standards. Although everyone has unique preferences, a few common names in the beginner-friendly category include Exodus, Base App, and Phantom.

What’s the safest crypto wallet to use?

Cold hardware wallets are generally the safest. Hardware wallets by reputable companies like Trezor and Ledger often rank as the safest because they keep a user’s private keys offline, but even hot wallets with the highest encryption standards have a greater chance of hacks than cold storage wallet solutions.

Should I use a hot wallet or a cold wallet?

It depends on your needs. Cold wallets are the best option for long-term storage because they meet higher security standards, but they can be more cumbersome for daily transactions or DeFi activities. By contrast, hot wallets are often free to download and easier to integrate into dApps, making them a more convenient choice for frequent transactions and exploring Web3.

Do I really need a crypto wallet?

If you want intermediary-free control over your cryptocurrencies and dApp interactions, a self-custodial wallet is essential. But if you’re only planning on doing some light trading over a third-party custodial service like CEXs, it’s not as necessary.

What are the top hardware wallets in 2026?

Ledger and Trezor often top the lists of the best hardware wallet manufacturers, but other companies like KeepKey, Keystone, and Ellipal also have strong reputations.