Create a Bitcoin walletCreate a Bitcoin wallet

Think of a Bitcoin wallet like a digital purse. You use it to receive and send Bitcoin. But unlike a regular purse, you don’t actually store any money in it. Your Bitcoin lives on the blockchain, a public record of all transactions. The wallet keeps the keys that prove the Bitcoin is yours.

There are two keys you need to know about.

1. Your public key is your Bitcoin address. You share it with others to receive Bitcoin. Think of it like an account number: you can safely share it.

2. Your private key is your secret access code. Never share it with anyone. Whoever has your private key has access to your Bitcoin. Lose it, and you lose access.

You use a Bitcoin wallet to show that you’re the owner of your Bitcoin. The literal translation of wallet is purse, but technically you don’t actually store BTC inside it. Your coins are recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain: a digital ledger that holds the entire history of Bitcoin. All balances on Bitcoin addresses and all transactions are recorded there.

Your wallet stores the cryptographic information needed to access Bitcoin addresses and send transactions. Think of it as a kind of access card or key. With your wallet, you can show that part of the Bitcoin on the blockchain belongs to you. Only you can manage and send your Bitcoin.

Just starting out with crypto? Pick a mobile or software wallet for small amounts. Investing more or holding your Bitcoin for the long term? Move on to a hardware wallet. Many users combine the two: a mobile wallet as their everyday purse and a hardware wallet as their vault. Bitcoin is the most widely used crypto in the world and is supported by every major wallet.

To receive Bitcoin, you share your receiving address. To send Bitcoin, you paste the recipient’s address into your wallet. A transaction can’t be reversed, so always double-check the address.

Want to receive Bitcoin? In your wallet, go to "Receive" and copy the address shown. Share it with the sender. Want to send Bitcoin? Go to "Send", paste the recipient’s address and confirm the transaction.

Always make sure you copy the address exactly. Use copy and paste rather than typing it out. A Bitcoin transaction is irreversible: once sent, it’s sent — and a wrong transaction cannot be recovered.

One wallet, multiple addresses

You can generate multiple addresses from a single wallet, and it’s actually a good idea to do so. Using a new address for every transaction protects your privacy on the network. All addresses come from the same seed, so the Bitcoin always ends up in the same wallet.

A note on hardware wallets

Always verify your receiving address on the device’s own screen. Malware can change addresses in your browser. The device always shows the real address.

Good wallet security starts with a strong seed phrase backup, a unique password, and turning on two-factor authentication.

A crypto wallet works the same way as cash: the more visible it is, the more attractive it is to criminals. Take the following steps.

• Strong PIN or password: pick a combination you can remember but that isn’t easy to guess.
• Write your seed phrase on paper: never digitally, and store it in a safe place.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA): use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy. That way, a hacker with just your password still can’t get in.
• Be careful with backups: keep your seed phrase in a safe physical location, not in your inbox or photo gallery.
• Official software only: download wallet apps only from the developer’s official website or official app store.
• Verify addresses on your hardware wallet: malware can change addresses in your browser. The screen of your hardware wallet always shows the real address.

When you create a new wallet, the app or device generates a seed phrase. This is your only backup key. Lose your phone, your computer or your hardware wallet? With the seed phrase you can restore everything on a new device.

Golden rules for your seed phrase

• Always write the words by hand on paper, in the correct order
• Never take a screenshot and never store them in the cloud, email, or an app
• Never enter your seed phrase on a website. No legitimate wallet will ever ask for it.
• Never share them with anyone, not even with support or a BTC Direct employee
• Keep the backup in at least two physical locations
• For extra protection: consider a metal backup (such as titanium) against fire and water

Lose your device or forget your PIN? With the seed phrase, you can restore everything. Lose both the device and the seed phrase? Then your Bitcoin is permanently inaccessible. There’s no bank, no customer support, and no exception.