Hardware Wallets - Let's Keep It Simple

Hardware wallets should be simple to use.

Unfortunately, almost all of them are too complex to use for the average consumer.

This is why I believe a good option for many crypto-investors is to have a dedicated laptop to use as a 'cold storage' device. A "clean" computer is just about as secure as a Ledger or Trezor device. And— much easier to use.

For the ultimate in trans-portability, you can use a mini computer PC stick. It fits in your shirt pocket or purse with ease. Plus, it's just plain cool. :) 

Trezor & Ledger

My two favorite hardware wallets are still the Trezor and the Ledger.

Primarily because we can put Theta in cold storage with these two devices.

Otherwise, using the dedicated computer 'hack' is the most hassle-free way to keep our cryptos under "lock and key". And with Atomic.io and Exoduswallet.io, we can earn staking rewards for certain cryptos as well.

Important!

When the Trezor suggests a firmware update (about every two or three months), make sure you have your 12-24 word seed phrase handy. Sometimes after a firmware update, you will be required to totally restore the hardware wallet with the back up phrase. Without it, the funds will be lost forever.

This could be the case for Ledger devices as well.

Back to Simple

This goes back to using the Atomic or Exodus wallet. I have never been asked to re-enter the 12-word back up phrase when these wallets require updates.

Mobile

Remember that both the Atomic and Exodus wallets have mobile support. You can sync your computer and phone wallet by re-entering the 12-word phrase into the other device.

Or, you can create a new wallet on the other device and have two separate wallets.

If you want to be super-secure, you can use a separate phone with the sim card removed and have this as a cold storage device.