Internet
cold storage
What does cold storage mean?
Storing private keys completely offline — on a hardware wallet or paper — to protect holdings from online theft. The safest way to custody long-term holdings.
"I moved my long-term stack to cold storage and only keep spending money on the exchange."
Origin
Crypto security term contrasting offline 'cold' custody with online 'hot' wallets.
Frequently asked questions
What is cold storage in crypto?
It's keeping your private keys completely offline — on a hardware device or paper — so your holdings can't be reached by online hackers.
Is cold storage safer than an exchange?
Yes; because the keys never touch the internet, cold storage is far more resistant to hacks and exchange failures than leaving coins on a platform.
What's the difference between cold storage and a cold wallet?
They overlap — cold storage is the general practice of keeping keys offline, while a cold wallet is a specific offline device or method used to do it.
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