Как хранить криптовалюту в 2026 году: hardware vs software vs биржа

Feature

Hardware wallet

Software wallet (self-custodial)

Centralized exchange account (custodial)

Who controls the account

The owner; keys and PIN are created and stored on the device; transactions are signed offline

The owner; keys are encrypted on the device and never sent to the wallet provider

The exchange; it controls the keys and funds and can freeze the account under its terms of service

Upfront cost

One-time device purchase; 59–399 for current Ledger and Trezor models

None

None

Transaction fees

Network fees when transacting; partner fees on swaps and buys in companion apps

Network fees when transacting, though some wallets sponsor them on certain networks (MetaMask pays network fees on eligible transactions on Monad, Sei, and Solana); service fees may apply to swaps, buys, and other in-app features

Network fees on withdrawals; trading, spread, and withdrawal fees set by the exchange

Identity verification

None

None for the wallet itself; some in-app features from third-party providers, such as buying with a card, may require it

Required; Know Your Customer (KYC) checks with a government photo ID and a selfie at regulated exchanges in the US, UK, and EU

Apps, swaps, and staking

Limited; buy, sell, swap, and stake through companion apps such as Ledger Wallet and Trezor Suite, or a connected software wallet; each action confirmed on the device

Full; swaps, bridges, and staking built in; connects to onchain apps from a browser or by QR code

Limited to the exchange's own products; staking availability varies by country and US state

Deposit insurance (FSCS, FDIC, or SIPC)

None

None

Crypto isn't covered by the FSCS, FDIC, or SIPC; some exchanges offer FDIC pass-through cover on US dollar cash balances, up to $250,000 [LINK NEEDED]

Recovery if access is lost

Restore on a new device from the recovery phrase; funds are lost if the phrase is lost

Restore on any compatible wallet from the Secret Recovery Phrase; some wallets add an encrypted device or cloud backup

Password reset and identity verification through the exchange

Setup time

Longest; device delivery, PIN, and an offline backup of the recovery phrase

Minutes; app install and a backup of the Secret Recovery Phrase

Minutes to days, depending on KYC review

User type

Common setup

Key features

Key risk

Beginner with a small balance

Software wallet with built-in security alerts such as MetaMask, or an exchange account with two-factor authentication (2FA)

Quick setup; built-in scam warnings or password recovery while learning

Losing the Secret Recovery Phrase (wallet); account takeover or freeze (exchange)

Regular app user (swaps, staking, prediction markets)

Self-custodial software wallet with transaction simulation, threat alerts, and transfer warnings

Fast signing, with protection at the moment most self-custody attacks happen

Malware on the internet-connected device; approving past a warning

Long-term holder with a large balance that rarely moves

Hardware wallet bought direct from the manufacturer, with the recovery phrase backed up offline in more than one location

Private Keys never touch an internet-connected device

Recovery phrase exposure; manufacturer or supply chain flaw

Active crypto user or trader with a large balance

Hardware wallet vault connected to a software wallet, plus a separate software-only spending account

Offline keys for the vault and transaction screening before every signature

Blind signing on complex contracts; recovery phrase exposure

High-volume trader

Trading balance on an exchange or in a software wallet; everything else on a hardware wallet

Order-book liquidity or fast decentralized exchange (DEX) access, with exposure capped at the trading balance

Exchange failure or freeze on the trading balance

Shared, family, or organizational funds

Multisig or smart account requiring several approvals, with hardware wallets as signers

No single key or person can move funds

Smart contract risk; coordination between signers

Risk

Hardware wallet

Software wallet

Centralized exchange account

Stolen password or code

Not exposed; the PIN only works on the physical device

Limited; the app password only unlocks the wallet on that device and can't be used remotely. Reduced by a strong password plus biometric unlock

Exposed; SIM swaps (an attacker moving a phone number to their own SIM card) and phished codes give access from anywhere. Reduced by 2FA through an authenticator app, passkey, or security key

Device theft

Limited; funds are exposed if the recovery phrase is stored with the device. Reduced by a PIN that wipes the device after 3 wrong tries on Ledger, or 10–16 on Trezor

Limited; a thief who knows the phone passcode may open the wallet. Reduced by a separate app password and biometric unlock

Limited; open sessions on an unlocked phone. Reduced by the phone lock, 2FA, and an account lock through support

Hack or remote attack

Limited; firmware flaws, such as the 2026 Coldcard bug. Reduced by Secure Element chips, firmware updates, and following manufacturer advisories

Exposed; malware on the phone or computer, such as infostealers that copy wallet data and clipboard hijackers that swap copied addresses. Reduced by keys encrypted behind the wallet password, plus transfer warnings for unfamiliar addresses

Exposed; platform hacks the customer can't control, such as the $1.5 billion Bybit theft in 2025. Reduced by the exchange keeping most funds in offline storage

Account freezing

Not exposed

Not exposed

Exposed; freezes during KYC and anti-money laundering (AML) reviews, outages, or insolvency. Reduced by keeping only a trading balance on the exchange

Lost password or PIN

Limited; reset the device and restore from the recovery phrase. Funds are lost if the phrase is lost too

Limited; restore from the Secret Recovery Phrase, since the wallet provider can't reset the password. Funds are lost if the phrase is lost too

Limited; recovery through email, 2FA, and identity verification can take days if 2FA is lost

Romance or investment scam

Exposed; the device signs whatever the owner approves, including transfers to pig butchering scammers (long-con fraud that builds trust before asking for funds)

Exposed; warnings can be clicked past. Reduced by transfer warnings that flag known scam addresses and patterns

Exposed; crypto sent to a scammer usually can't be reversed. Reduced by fraud monitoring that may hold suspicious withdrawals

Phishing

Exposed; typing the recovery phrase into a fake site, or blind signing a malicious approval. Reduced by reading each transaction on the device screen

Exposed; wallet drainers that trick the owner into signing approvals. Reduced by security alerts that block known phishing sites and malicious contracts

Exposed; fake login pages and fake support agents. Reduced by 2FA and withdrawal address allowlists

Supply chain attack (tampered device or fake app)

Exposed; implants added by unauthorized or compromised resellers, as in the 2026 CryptoBilis case. Reduced by buying direct and running the manufacturer's authenticity check, such as Ledger's Genuine Check

Exposed; fake wallet apps; Reduced by official download links and verified publishers

Exposed; fake exchange apps and lookalike domains (typosquatting). Reduced by official apps and bookmarked web addresses

Company failure

Not exposed for funds; the device keeps working from the recovery phrase even if the manufacturer closes

Not exposed for funds; the Secret Recovery Phrase restores the wallet in any compatible app

Exposed; balances become claims in bankruptcy (see below)

Risk

Can holders lose funds?

Can holders lose access?

Can holders prevent it?

Platform hack

Exchange dependent; Some exchanges cover hack losses from their own reserves; Others pass losses on to customers, sometimes through repayment plans approved by a court

Yes; Withdrawals may be paused while the exchange investigates an incident; Restructuring after a major hack can take more than a year

No

Insolvency (bankruptcy)

Yes; Balances become claims in bankruptcy, often valued on the filing date; Customers repaid at prices from the filing date miss any later market rally

Yes; Withdrawals stop at the filing; Payouts can take more than two years

Limited; Read the terms first; Some earn or yield terms transfer ownership of deposits to the platform, which a court can treat as company property

Withdrawal freezes and limits

Limited; A freeze alone doesn't take funds; A freeze shortly before a failure can lock them in until bankruptcy proceedings end

Yes; Exchanges can pause withdrawals under their terms of service; Some freezes stay in place through a bankruptcy

No

Market or country exit

Limited; Funds stay withdrawable during the notice period; Open positions and staked assets may need closing first

Yes; Accounts switch to withdrawals only, then close; Notice periods can be as short as about a month

No

Account takeover and data leaks

Yes; Leaked customer data fuels impersonation scams that trick users into sending crypto; Some exchanges reimburse customers who were tricked, but reimbursement isn't guaranteed

Limited; Exchanges can add ID checks or lock flagged accounts; Access returns only after the exchange's review

Limited; Never share passwords, 2FA codes, or ID documents with anyone who makes contact first