Wallet
Software or hardware that stores cryptographic keys, enabling users to send and receive on-chain assets.
A crypto wallet doesn't actually store tokens — those live on the blockchain. It stores the private keys that prove ownership of addresses and authorise transactions. Wallets generate and sign transactions, then broadcast them to the network.
Software wallets (MetaMask, Phantom, Trust Wallet) are apps or browser extensions. Hardware wallets (Ledger, Trezor) store keys on a dedicated offline device, making them resistant to malware. Paper wallets are printed private keys — simple but fragile.
A wallet's security is only as strong as its private key management. If you lose your private key (or seed phrase) you permanently lose access to those funds; if someone else obtains it, they can take everything.