What is Hardware wallet?
A dedicated device that stores private keys and signs transactions without exposing the keys to an internet-connected computer.
The device signs internally and returns only the signature, so malware on your computer cannot extract the key. It also displays the destination address on its own screen for verification.
Buy directly from the manufacturer. Devices bought second-hand or via marketplace resellers have arrived pre-seeded with an attacker's phrase often enough to be a recognised category of theft.
Related terms
Self-custody
Holding your own private keys rather than trusting a third party to hold coins for you.
Keys & custodySeed phrase
Twelve or twenty-four words from which every key in a wallet is derived. Anyone with the words has the coins.
Keys & custodyCold storage
Keeping keys entirely offline, so no network-connected system ever holds the secret.
This definition is part of the Bitcoin Logical glossary. For the fuller explanation, start with Learn, or see the live numbers on The Bitcoin Signal.