Bitcoin has rapidly escalated to the position of the most popular cryptocurrencies in the world, and so have the number and variety of options for purchasing it. Investing in Bitcoin, however, can seem to be very complicated and confusing without accurate information, leading to many misconceptions around the purchase of this digital currency. The most common query that investors find themselves perplexed with is – do you need a wallet to buy bitcoin?

To keep it straight and simple, a crypto wallet address is a must for purchasing and trading in Bitcoin, no matter what medium of trading you use. There are two popular means of crypto trading for Bitcoin – digital currency exchanges or crypto exchanges, and over-the-counter or OTC desks. Both require investors to share their wallet address with them to send the crypto. But before we delve into deeper details of the necessity of crypto wallets for exchanges or Bitcoin OTC desk trading, let us take a look at their underlying concepts.

What is a Cryptocurrency Wallet?

Also known as a Bitcoin wallet, a cryptocurrency wallet functions on similar lines as a traditional wallet. The difference is that instead of paper currency notes and coins, the Bitcoin wallets hold proof of your owned digital cash.

The chief function of a crypto wallet is to store public and private keys required to purchase Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, besides providing digital signatures to authorize each transaction on the platform of choice. Cryptocurrency wallets could be in any form – a device, a program, an app, a website or simply a service offered by reputable exchanges and OTC desks.

Here’s What You Need to Know About Bitcoin Wallets

Essentially, one requires a valid wallet address so that the purchased digital currencies can be transferred to your control. This is why cryptocurrency wallets are an integral component of Bitcoin purchase, no matter what the medium. Most of these wallets are password-protected, offering top-notch security features such as end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, and so on, to keep your assets safe and secure.

There are various types of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency wallets in common use today, each following its own exclusive format and its specific set of pros and cons with respect to ease of use for trading, level of security offered, perks available, and so on. There are two chief categories of Bitcoin wallets for purchasing, storing, and trading Bitcoins –

Hot storage Bitcoin Wallets

These wallets are directly connected to the internet, such as a smartphone application, a desktop software program or simply an online provider, and it is this connection that gives them the description ‘hot’. Generally, hot storage wallets are completely free of cost, but are prone to high levels of risks as well, being connected to the internet continuously and prone to online theft.

This becomes a raging issue with cryptocurrency exchanges, which might have amassed huge popularity today, but are also a very unsafe way of trading or purchasing in Bitcoins. These exchanges may mask sensitive personal information of users, but are not able to conceal transactional information, leaving it prone to attacks and thefts by cybercriminals.

Cold Storage Wallets

Cold Bitcoin wallets are in the form of physical, portable devices that you can use to download and carry your Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies. These come at a certain cost because the cash is stored offline – hence the nomenclature ‘cold’ – but are certainly much more secure than hot wallets on crypto exchanges. You can easily link your cold wallets to a suitable cryptocurrency trading platform – preferably OTC desks – for the best security outcomes.

What is the Safest Way to Invest in Bitcoin?

When it comes to purchasing or trading in Bitcoin, people often wonder what is the safest way to invest in Bitcoin?  There are two clear choices – crypto exchanges and OTC desks – both of which require your wallet address. While crypto exchanges act as intermediaries in transactions between buyers and sellers, over the counter or OTC companies do just the opposite. OTC desks enable direct trading between the two involved parties, without the presence of any intermediaries, thus emerging as the safer option of the two.

The high safety standards of OTC desks also owe their capabilities to the impressive underlying framework of privacy, where all sensitive data – both personal and financial – remains masked. Direct trader-to-trader transactions facilitate fewer risks, which may come at an additional fee but ensure incomparable safety and privacy. Besides, one gets complete custody of their cryptos, unlike crypto exchanges where the ownership is lost as soon as currencies are put on the exchange.

Buying Bitcoin: The Whats and the Hows

If there are any other queries you have when purchasing Bitcoin, you have arrived at the perfect place. At Secure Digital Markets, we not only help investors get the best out of their hard-earned money, but also assist enthusiasts in getting the answers they are looking for when it comes to crypto investments and OTC markets. From answering questions like – can you buy Bitcoin with a prepaid debit card, does Bitcoin gain interest, are OTC markets, and so on – we have all the answers.

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