noun

cold wallet

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Cold wallet (noun) means a store of the secret keys that control someone's cryptocurrency, kept on a device or piece of paper that is not connected to the internet, so that an attacker online cannot reach it. Example: “He moved the bulk of his holdings to a cold wallet and left only spending money on the exchange.”

noun

A store of the secret keys that control someone's cryptocurrency, kept on a device or piece of paper that is not connected to the internet, so that an attacker online cannot reach it.

"He moved the bulk of his holdings to a cold wallet and left only spending money on the exchange."

"The keys live on a cold wallet in a safe, and she signs transactions by plugging it in."

How to use cold wallet

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA way of keeping the keys to your digital money on something that is not connected to the internet.

When to use it

Standard in crypto writing. A hardware wallet is the most common form of cold wallet, though not the only one.

Memory tip

A wallet does not really hold coins. It holds the keys that let you move coins whose balances are recorded on the blockchain.

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Easily confused with

hot wallet → exchange account custodial wallet seed phrase →

Common pairings

move funds to a cold wallet cold storage hardware wallet offline backup

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He moved the bulk of his holdings to a _____ and left only spending money on the exchange.

Etymology

From cold storage, the idea of keeping something offline and out of reach, contrasted with a hot, or connected, wallet.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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cold storage hardware wallet offline wallet air-gapped wallet

Antonyms

hot wallet online wallet

Related words

freezer hot wallet

Rhymes for cold wallet

mallet wallet ballet pallet

See all rhymes for cold wallet →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a cold wallet and a hot wallet?

A hot wallet is connected to the internet, which makes it convenient for frequent transactions and reachable by online attackers. A cold wallet keeps the keys offline, which makes theft over the internet far harder but every transaction more of a chore.

Is a cold wallet the same as a hardware wallet?

A hardware wallet, a small dedicated device that keeps keys offline, is the usual form of cold wallet, but not the only one. Keys written on paper or stamped into metal and stored away are also cold storage.

What happens if a cold wallet is lost or broken?

The device itself is replaceable; what matters is the recovery phrase generated when it was set up. With that phrase the same keys can be restored on another device. Without it, and without any other backup, the funds cannot be reached by anyone.

What is the meaning of cold wallet?

"cold wallet" (noun) means a store of the secret keys that control someone's cryptocurrency, kept on a device or piece of paper that is not connected to the internet, so that an attacker online cannot reach it.

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