[DigitalToday reporter Chu Hyun-woo (추현우)] As cryptocurrency investors increase, choosing a wallet suited to beginners has emerged as a key task in 2026. On June 2 (local time), blockchain media outlet The Crypto Basic introduced 10 cryptocurrency wallets for newcomers based on security, usability and the breadth of supported networks.

The key requirements for beginner wallets were presented as a balance between strong security and a simple user experience. Because cryptocurrencies operate on decentralized networks, responsibility for protecting assets falls directly on users. As a result, it is important for wallets to have two-factor authentication, encrypted private keys, biometric authentication and recovery-phrase backup functions. Whether a wallet can be linked to a hardware wallet is also a consideration for long-term holdings.

Ease of use and multi-chain support were also cited as major criteria. Beginner wallets should offer an intuitive interface and a simple setup process rather than complex features. As more users hold not only bitcoin and ether but also memecoins, gaming tokens and emerging altcoins, wallets that support multiple blockchains and digital assets have become more useful. Reputation, security track record, customer support, and whether mobile, desktop and browser extension functions are supported were also presented as items to review.

Major software wallets for newcomers included Trust Wallet, MetaMask, Phantom and Coinbase Wallet. Trust Wallet supports more than 100 blockchains and can store cryptocurrencies and NFTs, and it enables the use of decentralized apps on mobile and via a browser. MetaMask started as a representative wallet for the Ethereum ecosystem and has since expanded support to EVM-compatible networks including BNB Smart Chain and Polygon. Phantom started in 2021 as a wallet for Solana and expanded to other networks including Ethereum. Coinbase Wallet was described as a non-custodial Web3 wallet that can be used without an exchange account.

Hardware wallets cited included Ledger, Trezor Safe 5, SafePal S1 Pro, Tangem Wallet 2.0, Ellipal Titan 2.0 and NGRAVE Zero. Ledger presented as strengths its cold storage approach, which keeps private keys offline, and integration with the Ledger Live app. Trezor Safe 5 offers both a bitcoin-only model and a multi-asset model. SafePal S1 Pro and Ellipal Titan 2.0 support QR code-based offline signing. NGRAVE Zero highlighted a fully offline structure and EAL7 certification.

The safest choice for beginner investors was presented as a hardware wallet. Storing private keys offline can significantly reduce exposure to online threats. However, Ledger Nano X costs about $150 and Trezor Safe 5 is around $205, requiring an upfront purchase. By contrast, hot wallets such as MetaMask and Trust Wallet offer high accessibility and convenience but are connected to the internet, making them more suitable for managing small amounts of assets.

Recommendations by chain were also presented. Ledger Nano X and Trezor Safe 5 were cited as suitable wallets for storing and managing bitcoin, while MetaMask was selected as suitable for Ethereum and layer-2 ecosystems. In altcoin and multi-chain environments, Trust Wallet, SafePal and Phantom presented broad token support as a strength. Beginner investors can balance their approach by using a hot wallet for everyday transactions and a cold wallet for long-term holdings. It emphasized that regardless of which wallet is used, recovery phrases should be stored offline, all security settings should be enabled, and download sources should be verified to avoid phishing.