2020-03-26 18:09:39 -07:00
|
|
|
# Solana Wallet Guide
|
2020-03-26 12:42:05 -07:00
|
|
|
This document describes the different wallet options that are available to users
|
|
|
|
of Solana who want to be able to send, receive and interact with
|
|
|
|
SOL tokens on the Solana blockchain.
|
2020-03-26 18:09:39 -07:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## What is a Wallet?
|
|
|
|
A crypto wallet is a device or application that stores a collection of keys and
|
|
|
|
can be used to send, receive,
|
|
|
|
and track ownership of cryptocurrencies. Wallets can take many forms.
|
|
|
|
A wallet might be a directory or file in your computer's file system,
|
|
|
|
a piece of paper, or a specialized device called a *hardware wallet*.
|
|
|
|
There are also various smartphone apps and computer programs
|
|
|
|
that provide a user-friendly way to create and manage wallets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A *keypair* is a securely generated *private key* and its
|
|
|
|
cryptographically-derived *public key*. A private key and its corresponding
|
|
|
|
public key are together known as a *keypair*.
|
|
|
|
A wallet contains a collection of one or more keypairs and provides some means
|
|
|
|
to interact with them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The *public key* (commonly shortened to *pubkey*) is known as the wallet's
|
|
|
|
*receiving address* or simply its *address*. The wallet address **may be shared
|
|
|
|
and displayed freely**. When another party is going to send some amount of
|
|
|
|
cryptocurrency to a wallet, they need to know the wallet's receiving address.
|
|
|
|
Depending on a blockchain's implementation, the address can also be used to view
|
|
|
|
certain information about a wallet, such as viewing the balance,
|
|
|
|
but has no ability to change anything about the wallet or withdraw any tokens.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The *private key* is required to digitally sign any transactions to send
|
|
|
|
cryptocurrencies to another address or to make any changes to the wallet.
|
|
|
|
The private key **must never be shared**. If someone gains access to the
|
|
|
|
private key to a wallet, they can withdraw all the tokens it contains.
|
|
|
|
If the private key for a wallet is lost, any tokens that have been sent
|
|
|
|
to that wallet's address are **permanently lost**.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Different wallet solutions offer different approaches to keypair security and
|
|
|
|
interacting with the keypair and sign transactions to use/spend the tokens.
|
|
|
|
Some are easier to use than others.
|
|
|
|
Some store and back up private keys more securely.
|
|
|
|
Solana supports multiple types of wallets so you can choose the right balance
|
|
|
|
of security and convenience.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**If you want to be able to receive SOL tokens on the Solana blockchain,
|
|
|
|
you first will need to create a wallet.**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## Supported Wallets
|
|
|
|
Solana supports supports several types of wallets in the Solana native
|
|
|
|
command-line app as well as wallets from third-parties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the majority of users, we recommend using one of the
|
|
|
|
[app wallets](app-wallets.md), which will provide a more familiar user
|
|
|
|
experience rather than needing to learn command line tools.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
{% page-ref page="app-wallets.md" %}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For advanced users or developers, the [command-line wallets](cli-wallets.md)
|
|
|
|
may be more appropriate, as new features on the Solana blockchain will always be
|
|
|
|
supported on the command line first before being integrated into third-party
|
|
|
|
solutions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
{% page-ref page="cli-wallets.md" %}
|