Wallet security · 2025 guide
10 Best Crypto Wallets for 2025
Choosing the right cryptocurrency wallet is crucial for securing your digital assets. Whether you're a beginner exploring DeFi or an experienced trader managing larger balances, this guide compares hot, cold, and hardware wallets so you can pick the right fit.
What a wallet does
- Stores your key pair: public address (receive) and private key (sign).
- Signs transactions locally, then broadcasts signed transactions to the blockchain.
- Supports tokens, NFTs, staking, and dApp interactions.
Types of crypto wallets — quick overview
Pick based on how often you transact and how much security you need.
Hot wallets
Internet-connected (mobile, desktop, extension). Best for frequent use, DeFi, and NFTs.
Higher convenience, higher attack surface.
Cold wallets
Offline key storage on hardware devices or air-gapped setups. Best for vaulting large balances.
Lower convenience, highest protection for long-term holds.
| Hot wallet | Security | Convenience | Supported networks |
|---|---|---|---|
| MetaMask | Medium | High | Ethereum, ERC-20, L2s |
| Phantom | Medium | High | Solana, Ethereum, Bitcoin, Polygon, Base, Sui |
| Trust Wallet | Medium | High | Many chains |
- Offline key storage (hardware devices, air-gapped computers, paper backups). Best for long-term vaulting and large balances.
- Custodial vs self-custody: custodial means a third party holds keys; self-custody means you control them (seed, MPC, or multisig).
- Advanced models: MPC and multisig reduce single-key risk; warm wallets mix speed with partial offline signing for institutions.
- Examples: Ledger, Trezor, Tangem.
Top 10 crypto wallets (concise matrix)
Ledger
Best for cold storage / integrations
- Price: $79 (entry model)
- Supported chains: ~5,000+ assets
Pros
- Secure element
- Ledger Live
- Wide integrations
Cons
- Closed-source firmware; vendor risk
Trezor
Best for budget hardware
- Price: $59-69 (entry model)
- Supported chains: ~1,000+ assets
Pros
- Open-source firmware
- Shamir backup (Model T)
- Touchscreen options
Cons
- No Bluetooth (deliberate design)
Tangem
Best for plug-and-go hardware
- Price: $54.90 (2-card) / $69.90 (3-card)
- Supported chains: ~16,000+ tokens claimed
Pros
- No seed phrase (card backup)
- NFC convenience
Cons
- Requires NFC phone; no desktop
MetaMask
Best for Ethereum & EVM dApps
- Price: Free
- Supported chains: Ethereum, ERC-20, L2s
Pros
- dApp ubiquity
- Hardware pairing
Cons
- Limited to EVM and Solana; no native Bitcoin/Cardano
Phantom
Best for Solana users
- Price: Free
- Supported chains: Solana, Ethereum, Bitcoin, Polygon, Base, Sui
Pros
- Strong UX
- Solana tooling
Cons
- Reported token value display issues in high volatility
Coinbase Wallet
Best for beginners / exchange users
- Price: Free
- Supported chains: Wide asset support; integrates with Coinbase ecosystem
Pros
- Simple onboarding
- dApp access
Cons
- Some limits on chain support vs specialized wallets
Best Wallet
Best for multi-chain beginners
- Price: Free
- Supported chains: Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Polygon, Solana, and more
Pros
- WalletConnect-certified for Hyperliquid
- Non-custodial with private key ownership
- Strong security features
Cons
- Native HyperEVM integration unverified; needs WalletConnect bridge for Hyperliquid
Rabby
Best for advanced DeFi users
- Price: Free
- Supported chains: Ethereum and 141+ EVM chains
Pros
- Auto-network detection
- Pre-transaction security previews
- Open-source
- Hyperliquid-compatible via HyperEVM
Cons
- Browser extension only
- Requires manual HyperEVM chain addition
Binance Wallet
Best for exchange traders
- Price: Free
- Supported chains: HYPE officially listed; integrates with Binance ecosystem
Pros
- Direct custodial support for HYPE tokens
- Instant trading access
- Seamless Binance exchange integration
Cons
- Custodial; assets depend on Binance security
ByBit Wallet
Best for derivatives traders
- Price: Free
- Supported chains: HYPE officially listed; ByBit exchange integration
Pros
- Custodial support for HYPE tokens
- Fast execution for active traders
- Integrated derivatives and spot trading
Cons
- Custodial; assets tied to ByBit platform security
- Not suitable for long-term holding or self-custody
Wallet - DEX routing on Hyperliquid (Hypertrade R1)
Hypertrade R1 simulates and splits orders across HyperCore and HyperEVM venues for optimal fills. Use this flow to keep custody while trading.
- Connect
Connect your self-custody wallet (hardware or software) at ht.xyz and confirm the connector (WalletConnect / extension / hardware).
- Select chain
Select chain context (HyperEVM or HyperCore spot).
- Simulate route
Enter token pair and amount; run R1 simulation to preview split paths and estimated fills (Invisium swap simulation).
- Tune parameters
Adjust slippage, gas strategy, and split preferences; enable multi-hop or multi-market routing if desired.
- Manage approvals
Review and limit token approvals; set minimal spending caps for each token.
- Execute
Send the transaction; verify hashes and fill ratios across venues.
- Post-trade
Revoke temporary approvals if not needed; transfer surplus to cold storage if appropriate.
Safety and security considerations
- Keep most funds in cold storage; use hot wallets only for necessary liquidity.
- Test restore your seed on a spare device before large transfers.
- Use hardware wallets (Ledger/Trezor) for vaulting high balances.
- Consider MPC or multisig for team/institutional custody.
- Use app-based 2FA where available (avoid SMS).
- Revoke stale smart contract approvals regularly.
- Use unique strong passwords and a password manager.
- Avoid wallet usage on rooted or jailbroken devices.
- Keep wallet firmware and OS updated; verify firmware signatures.
- Segment holdings across wallets to reduce single-point compromise.
Affordable options for crypto wallets
| Wallet | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Trezor One | $59-69 | Open-source, Shamir backup |
| Ledger Nano S Plus | $79 | Secure element, wide integrations |
| MetaMask (free) + Trezor One | $59-69 | Hybrid setup: hot + cold |
- Hybrid minimal: free hot wallet (MetaMask/Trust) + budget hardware (Trezor One — $59-69) for vaulting.
- Ledger Nano S Plus (~$79) is a popular low-cost entry into hardware security.
- Sources: CoinLedger / NerdWallet (2025).
Conclusion
This guide covered 10 wallets, security best practices, and a step-by-step wallet - DEX routing tutorial for Hyperliquid via Hypertrade. Choose your wallet based on your use case, test your setup with small amounts, and always prioritize security over convenience.