Recently, I’ve been chatting with quite a few people, and they’ve all been asking about cold wallets. Indeed, as on-chain interactions become more frequent, everyone’s focus on asset security is also increasing, and at this point, a cold wallet has become a necessity.

When it comes to cold wallets, many people's first reaction is that they are not very convenient. But actually, this is precisely their advantage—because they are stored offline, they can effectively isolate threats from hackers and malicious software. In comparison, hot wallets are more user-friendly, but connecting to the internet always carries risks. My observation is that for long-term holdings or large assets, investing in a cold wallet is definitely worthwhile.

So how do you choose a cold wallet? There are quite a few options on the market now, but I think the core factors are still these: security certification level, supported cryptocurrencies, price, and user experience. Different manufacturers have different technical solutions; some use Infineon chips, others use STM32, and security levels range from CC EAL 5+ to CC EAL 6+.

Regarding specific products, imKey is one I quite favor. It comes from the imToken team, which already makes it trustworthy. Weighing only 8.1 grams, it’s compact and portable, supports 12 public chains and over 100 cryptocurrencies, and also supports NFTs, priced around $130. There’s also Ledger Nano, a well-established brand, made in France, supporting over 5,000 cryptocurrencies, priced between $150 and $300. Trezor is also good, produced by a Czech team, with a touchscreen design, supporting over 1,400 coins, priced from $70 to $219.

Before buying a cold wallet, make sure it supports the cryptocurrencies you hold. Most mainstream products have good coverage, but some focus on specific blockchains. In terms of security, strong encryption and multi-factor authentication are basic features—be sure to check these carefully. As for price, they range from a few dozen to a few hundred dollars, mainly depending on your needs. Don’t overlook the user interface; a wallet that’s comfortable to use makes you more willing to manage your assets with it.

The usage process isn’t complicated either. First, generate a public-private key pair; the public key is your address, which can be shared openly to receive coins. The private key or seed phrase is the real treasure—never disclose it. When making transactions, connect the device, enter your PIN, verify the transaction on the cold wallet itself, and once done, immediately disconnect it from the internet. This keeps your private keys safe. The key point is to avoid connecting to unknown DApps, as that could compromise the security of your cold wallet.

Another very important point—backup. Even if the hardware wallet has drop-proof and waterproof features, it should be stored securely. It’s best to back up your private key and seed phrase on paper or a USB drive, kept in a safe place. If the cold wallet is lost or damaged, having a backup allows you to recover your assets. If you forget the seed phrase, it’s truly unrecoverable, so this “password” must be stored offline, even written on paper and kept in a safe deposit box.

In short, cold wallets and hot wallets each have their own uses. Hot wallets are suitable for frequent trading, while cold wallets are better for long-term storage. If you’re serious about investing and hold a significant amount of assets, having a cold wallet is really a wise choice. The competition among hardware wallets is becoming more intense, with improvements in security, compatibility, and price, giving users more options.