what is wallet?

software or a device that holds (or can recreate) your keys, shows balances and signs transactions.

the coins themselves live on the blockchain, not in the wallet. that is why the same seed phrase restored in another app shows the same coins.

related words

public key / xpub a key that lets a wallet see an account's addresses and balances, but not spend.
hot wallet a wallet whose keys live on a device that is connected to the internet, like a phone app or browser extension.
private key the secret that authorises coins to move from an address.

part of the topic after death: free articles, more words and the guide.

checked 2026-10-20. education, not advice. found a mistake? see corrections.