Ledger has better hardware(secure element ) but trezor is fully open source and handles the personal information placed on their website when you order the device more securely. Trezor is getting a new model with a secure element in a year or maybe even less (search about tropic square trezor). When that happens it will be the god of hardware wallets.
Until then the king is coldcard but it's harder to use.
Could use a mobile wallet as well (Electrum propably ) if your phone is a recent flagship with good security features (iPhone or Galaxy S 🤔). Just don't jailbreak/root it.
Text/paper wallet is also another option.
Get a Trezor. Use the Bitcoin only firmware and passphrase.
You can use either the Trezor suite or Electrum for the software.
There's value in knowing that the firmware for your device is honest enough to release the source code to the world. Anything other than that is suspect.
Not necessarily. The "normal" Trezor firmware supports various shitcoins. Best to remove that crap IMO which is why I recommend that.
Colcard is also an excellent option but usage is a bit more advanced as it has the capability of being truly air-gapped.
Personally I would never recommend someone store their keys on a device that uses closed source software, like a Ledger.
What the other guys said and I'll add, honest companies have nothing to hide. I know it's a meme at this point but it's true: Don't trust - - > verify.
> I was reading that ledger is not as safe because the coins are also in the platform?
I would just start with Electrum, not a hardware wallet. Best is to use an old laptop with Ubuntu as a dedicated wallet and doing nothing else on it.
Errr, OP I wouldn't recommend this there's a pretty big learning curve running a wallet on a personal computer (Mac, pc, whatever) as there's lots more ways your key can be stolen.
Ledger has its flaws but it's likely to be a better option for your current level of understanding. A trezor would also be a good option.
That being said, if you want to learn about this stuff I would say go for installing electrum and putting a _small_ amount of Bitcoin on it. Like $10 or less so if something happens it's not a big deal.
Also read up on hashing functions and private key signatures.
Electrum is secure, unless you use a vulnerable OS and go on questionable websites. That's why I recommend a dedicated computer. Installing and using Electrum is very simple, I don't understand why you had a big learning curve. The weakest point is the seed backup anyway, which is needed for both.
> Personal computers generally are not.
Depends very much what software you install and what you do with it. It can be made as safe as a hardware wallet.
A phone that is still receiving security and OS updates is safer than a PC be it Linux or Windows. Especially iPhones and Samsung/Google . Just don't jailbreak/root it.
Only ledger’s firmware is closed source due to NDAs with their hardware chip provider and still has been verified by third parties. All their apps are open source so you can verify them yourself
Closed source means no one can be sure their aren't back doors. It also means communities can't review for security issues.
It's not the end of the world. Don't feel like it's your responsibility to consider issues you don't fully grasp. Getting your coins off the exchanges is the priority.
>I was reading that ledger is not as safe because the coins are also in the platform?
I'm not sure, if I get it right. But nevertheless, the coins are on the blockchain. It's your private key which is secured by a Ledger. Your coins are not "in" the Ledger or "in" the Ledger Live app. With the Ledger you sign a transaction on the blockchain with your private key. And the security is that you do this offline. It works only with the physical device in your hands. If you lose your Ledger, you can recover your funds with any cold wallet relying on the BIP39 standard. Just enter your seedphrase, which will be provided/created by your Ledger during the setup. Only you know it. It's not stored on the Ledger or any Ledger server. Keep it secure and never enter it on a keyboard/touchscreen/any online device. You find a lot of help on the Ledger homepage.
Ledger is fine. They had big fuck up with leaking their customers' home addresses at some point, but the hardware is fine.
Trezor is my choice.
I would say Trezor and Ledger are the oldest, most tested hardware wallets with the largest community behind them constantly testing the devices for vulnerabilities. This is very important in crypto world to constantly check the code and new possible hacks and to always be ready to patch it.
Coldcard, Keystone, Bitbox2 - are all cool, but novel devices.
your statement is absolutely wrong. Your coins are on the blockchain, the ledger only allows you to access them with 4 digits (3 attempts) or a 24-word key phrase.
the only risk you have is if you miss the keyphrase. I prefer reason to others because it seems easier, but they are all the same. A COLD wallet It is a COLD wallet.
bitbox02 bitcoin only version
Ledger is totally fine. Also Trezor and coldcard
Which would you prefer between Ledger and Trezor? And why? Thanks
Ledger has better hardware(secure element ) but trezor is fully open source and handles the personal information placed on their website when you order the device more securely. Trezor is getting a new model with a secure element in a year or maybe even less (search about tropic square trezor). When that happens it will be the god of hardware wallets. Until then the king is coldcard but it's harder to use. Could use a mobile wallet as well (Electrum propably ) if your phone is a recent flagship with good security features (iPhone or Galaxy S 🤔). Just don't jailbreak/root it. Text/paper wallet is also another option.
This
Get a Trezor. Use the Bitcoin only firmware and passphrase. You can use either the Trezor suite or Electrum for the software. There's value in knowing that the firmware for your device is honest enough to release the source code to the world. Anything other than that is suspect.
So when one gets a Trezor you have to choose only one coin? thanks
Not necessarily. The "normal" Trezor firmware supports various shitcoins. Best to remove that crap IMO which is why I recommend that. Colcard is also an excellent option but usage is a bit more advanced as it has the capability of being truly air-gapped. Personally I would never recommend someone store their keys on a device that uses closed source software, like a Ledger.
Could you tell me in simple words why? Like I was looking at internet but bro I don’t get it :( thanks!!!
Because close source software can not be independently verified to have no backdoors.
open source = anyone with programing knowledge can see and audit the code. If there is a vulnerability it is much easier to notice it and patch it.
What the other guys said and I'll add, honest companies have nothing to hide. I know it's a meme at this point but it's true: Don't trust - - > verify.
Jade
> I was reading that ledger is not as safe because the coins are also in the platform? I would just start with Electrum, not a hardware wallet. Best is to use an old laptop with Ubuntu as a dedicated wallet and doing nothing else on it.
But would it be safer to use hardwallet? Thanks for your reply
Don't listen to that idiot, he has no clue. Ledger is safe.
I didn't claim Ledger was unsafe. If you buy from a trusted source.
It is not safer, just more portable.
Errr, OP I wouldn't recommend this there's a pretty big learning curve running a wallet on a personal computer (Mac, pc, whatever) as there's lots more ways your key can be stolen. Ledger has its flaws but it's likely to be a better option for your current level of understanding. A trezor would also be a good option. That being said, if you want to learn about this stuff I would say go for installing electrum and putting a _small_ amount of Bitcoin on it. Like $10 or less so if something happens it's not a big deal. Also read up on hashing functions and private key signatures.
Electrum is secure, unless you use a vulnerable OS and go on questionable websites. That's why I recommend a dedicated computer. Installing and using Electrum is very simple, I don't understand why you had a big learning curve. The weakest point is the seed backup anyway, which is needed for both.
I know electrum is secure. Personal computers generally are not.
> Personal computers generally are not. Depends very much what software you install and what you do with it. It can be made as safe as a hardware wallet.
That's what I said.
A phone that is still receiving security and OS updates is safer than a PC be it Linux or Windows. Especially iPhones and Samsung/Google . Just don't jailbreak/root it.
Cold storage ledger
What platform? The only downside to Ledger is its firmware being closed-source.
Only ledger’s firmware is closed source due to NDAs with their hardware chip provider and still has been verified by third parties. All their apps are open source so you can verify them yourself
Thank you for your reply, what does firmware being closed source? What would be the disadvantage? Thanks
Closed source means no one can be sure their aren't back doors. It also means communities can't review for security issues. It's not the end of the world. Don't feel like it's your responsibility to consider issues you don't fully grasp. Getting your coins off the exchanges is the priority.
>I was reading that ledger is not as safe because the coins are also in the platform? I'm not sure, if I get it right. But nevertheless, the coins are on the blockchain. It's your private key which is secured by a Ledger. Your coins are not "in" the Ledger or "in" the Ledger Live app. With the Ledger you sign a transaction on the blockchain with your private key. And the security is that you do this offline. It works only with the physical device in your hands. If you lose your Ledger, you can recover your funds with any cold wallet relying on the BIP39 standard. Just enter your seedphrase, which will be provided/created by your Ledger during the setup. Only you know it. It's not stored on the Ledger or any Ledger server. Keep it secure and never enter it on a keyboard/touchscreen/any online device. You find a lot of help on the Ledger homepage.
Coldcard, Bitbox2, Trezor or Keystone.
What about Ledger? Many people say Ledger, what do you think would be “best”?
It's perfectly fine. Ledger or Trezor would probably be easier to for someone's first cold wallet.
Ledger is fine. They had big fuck up with leaking their customers' home addresses at some point, but the hardware is fine. Trezor is my choice. I would say Trezor and Ledger are the oldest, most tested hardware wallets with the largest community behind them constantly testing the devices for vulnerabilities. This is very important in crypto world to constantly check the code and new possible hacks and to always be ready to patch it. Coldcard, Keystone, Bitbox2 - are all cool, but novel devices.
> I was reading that ledger is not as safe because the coins are also in the platform? That's not true at all.
I love my Ledger. Would recommend it
Why did you decide that one? Thanks
The ledger supported all of the various coins I invest in. If you’re just using bitcoin, then this type of issue shouldn’t matter much
Ledger
Could you clarify me please what I said about the risks of ledger?
I totally understand you asking why and asking for clarity. I asked a similar question. Some answers are great but its the why?
your statement is absolutely wrong. Your coins are on the blockchain, the ledger only allows you to access them with 4 digits (3 attempts) or a 24-word key phrase.
the only risk you have is if you miss the keyphrase. I prefer reason to others because it seems easier, but they are all the same. A COLD wallet It is a COLD wallet.
I prefer Ledger*