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What Makes a Crypto Wallet Secure?

6 min read

With the rise of crypto hacks and scams, losing millions of dollars has become a harsh reality for many Web3 users.

The most secure wallets safeguard your digital assets from the most common threats, ranging from cyber-attacks to technical failures. But keeping your crypto safe requires more than a secure wallet, as you still need to follow wallet security best practices regardless.

In this post, we discuss the most secure crypto wallets on the market as well as additional steps you can take to keep your wallet secure.

What is a Crypto Wallet?

Your wallet is a fundamental tool for interacting with the Web3 economy. But what exactly is a crypto wallet?

Wallets like Metamask and Trust Wallet let users store, send and receive cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Your wallet will store your digital assets, but it is up to you to ensure they are secure from the growing list of crypto attacks.

Some wallets are more secure than others, and whether your wallet is hot or cold will fundamentally impact your wallet’s security. Of course, both types of wallets serve their purpose in the Web3 ecosystem as we’ll see in the following section.

Hot vs. Cold Crypto Wallets

Hot wallets are online tools that are always connected to the internet. This constant connection facilitates easy, quick and frequent transactions, making them a popular choice for active traders and everyday use. However, their online nature also makes them more susceptible to cyber threats such as hacking and phishing attacks.

On the other hand, cold wallets are not connected to the internet. They are offline and often come in the form of hardware wallets like USB drives, or even paper wallets, where private keys are printed on a piece of paper. By being offline, they are inherently less vulnerable to online hacking attempts, making them generally more secure than hot wallets. However, cold wallets are less functional in the Web3 ecosystem, focusing instead on secure, long-term storage.

What is the Most Secure Crypto Wallet?

The simple answer is that cold wallets are generally more secure. Ledger and Trezor, in particular, are regularly referred to as the most trusted secure crypto wallets. The Ledger Nano X and Trezor Model T often rank high on wallet security lists due to their robust security features, including offline storage capabilities and secure chip technology.

However, even cold wallets aren’t completely protected against software vulnerabilities and private key mismanagement. In addition, most Web3 users tend to have a hot wallet anyway to interact with the ecosystem.

The Role of Hot Wallets in Web3

Despite their perceived vulnerabilities, hot wallets play a vital role in the crypto ecosystem. They offer convenience and ease of use, making them ideal for everyday transactions and active trading.

Simply put, there are things MetaMask and Trust Wallet can do that Ledger and Trezor can’t.

Hot wallets’ integration with various decentralized exchanges and NFT marketplaces is indispensable for many users. However, the trade-off for this convenience is often a less secure wallet than their cold storage equivalents.

Luckily, FailSafe offers a solution that bridges the gap between security and functionality.

FailSafe Wallet Security

FailSafe introduces stellar features that mitigate the risks associated with hot wallets. FailSafe’s approach builds on 4 key security concepts:

  1. Defense in Depth: A multi-layered set of security mechanisms, with built-in redundancy, designed to minimize loss of user assets even in the worst case circumstances (e.g., user is tricked into giving away the wallet’s passphrase).
  2. 24/7 Threat Intelligence: FailSafe monitors all pending transactions for signs of fraud or malicious activity, utilizing algorithms that adapt to emerging threats.
  3. Low Latency / Real-time incident response: In the event malicious intent is detected, FailSafe swiftly intercepts malicious transactions by leveraging an efficient and globally distributed network of data centers
  4. Two-Factor User Verification: FailSafe’s two-factor authentication (2FA) adds another layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through a secondary method before any critical wallet operations can be approved.

In addition to these advanced security features, FailSafe stands out with its user-friendly interface, making it easier for users to manage and secure their digital assets without facing complex technical barriers.

Using FailSafe makes any compatible wallet more secure.

No wonder Degens Factory chose FailSafe to protect their six-figure treasury.

How to Secure Your Crypto Wallet with FailSafe

As the threats in the cryptocurrency landscape evolve, so do the requirements of our security measures. This section explores how users can leverage FailSafe to make their crypto wallet more secure.

Setting up FailSafe is a straightforward 3-step process:

  1. Create a FailSafe Profile: Begin by creating your very own FailSafe dashboard. Follow the step-by-step guide to create your profile, choosing a strong password and enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for additional security.
  2. Integrate FailSafe with Your Existing Wallet: Follow FailSafe’s integration guide to link it with your existing crypto wallet. This process ensures that FailSafe’s security features protect your digital assets, regardless of which mainstream wallet service you use.
  3. Transfer Assets if Necessary: While FailSafe is compatible with most of the top wallet services, you may need to transfer your digital assets to a compatible wallet service if your existing wallet service isn’t directly supported.

Benefit from FailSafe’s Security Features

Once integrated with your wallet, FailSafe’s advanced security features are at your disposal:

  • Real-Time Monitoring: FailSafe provides continuous, vigilant monitoring of your wallet for any unauthorized access, ensuring an immediate response to any potential threats.
  • Dynamic Security Adjustments: Leverage FailSafe’s dynamic algorithms that adapt to the ever-evolving threat landscape, providing you with up-to-date protection.

That’s how simple it is to start benefiting from FailSafe’s wallet security solutions. While FailSafe has been shown to prevent 98.7% of attacks on secured wallets, following wallet security best practices is always a good idea to further reduce your exposure to near zero.

The Future of Crypto Wallet Security

Crypto wallet security is constantly being shaped by evolving threats and redefined by innovative solutions. FailSafe is leading the future of crypto wallet security space with nonstop software development aimed at mitigating emerging threats in the Web3 space.

The importance of securing one’s digital assets in the often unpredictable world of cryptocurrency cannot be overstated, and solutions like FailSafe give users access to the convenience of Web3 without sacrificing security.

Start using FailSafe to make your crypto wallet more secure today.

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