From vetting an NFT project to looking for a crypto gaming wallet, the world of NFTs can be overwhelming.
For a gamer that just wants to start playing, getting a wallet connected to your game may seem next to impossible. Downloading a million plugins and getting all the pieces to line up at once is no small feat. Especially if you are a beginner.
However, NFT games let you turn your gaming time into an investment or even earn passive income, so your initial efforts of setting everything up are well worth it!
In this article, we will walk you through the differences between some of the best crypto gaming wallets available so you can find one that’ll work for you!
What is a Gaming Wallet?
Before we dive into the specifics of wallets for crypto games, let’s look at what a gaming wallet is and how it might be different from a typical cryptocurrency wallet.
Cryptocurrency Wallets
At this point, you have most likely heard of e-wallets for cryptocurrencies. These are exactly what they sound like. A digital wallet where you can store cryptocurrency such as bitcoin.
They are similar to a physical wallet or online bank account. You put money in and pull it out to use when you want to buy something or make an exchange.
Some can only be used with certain cryptocurrencies, while others support a wide range of cryptos and may even allow you to hold digital assets, such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), in them.
Gaming Wallets
Gaming wallets work on the same principle, but they usually include features that allow users to use the items in their wallets inside blockchain games seamlessly. They are also specifically made to hold a wide range of NFTs.
Why do you need one?
In essence, cryptocurrency wallets and gaming wallets are the same, but gaming wallets are usually easier to integrate into popular games that use blockchain/Web3 technology.
If you want to make in-game purchases or use/switch between your NFTs more easily, you will need to find a crypto gaming wallet that integrates well with your favorite games.
You may need to have a few different gaming wallets depending on the type of game you like to play. Some wallets may integrate perfectly with some crypto games but not work at all with other games.
5 Best Crypto Gaming Wallets
- Fractal Wallet: Integrates well with games
- Metamask Wallet: Works across browsers
- Coinbase Wallet: Highest Security
- Oxalus Wallet: Good for beginners
- Trust Wallet: Works with a large number of games
Fractal Wallet
Image source: AlexaBlockchain
The Fractal team has done a great job with their new product called Sign In with Fractal. They have created a wallet that lets video game players do what they want to do most: play.
Forget the complicated sign-ins or needing to flip through a million apps. With Fractal, you can safely store your digital assets and comfortably access them whenever you need them.
Fractal allows players to log in to crypto games with their existing Google accounts. They say that it only takes 30 seconds to set everything up! It probably can't get any simpler than this.
Pros:
- Fast KYC (know your customer) process
- High-level integration within partner games
- Simple sign-in technology
Cons:
- Some users reported issues with balances after reinstalling the app.
Metamask Wallet
Image source: Ledger
Metamask is a non-custodial wallet, meaning they don’t store any personal information. This method of security seems to work pretty effectively.
This wallet doesn’t support some of the best-known cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, but it does work with several different blockchains. It is also important to note that at this time, you can’t send coins from one chain to another.
Ethereum, USD coin, and Dai are the most popular currencies supported by this wallet.
Setup is an easy process. Just download the browser extension, enter your 12-word seed phrase or create a new wallet.
Pros:
- Can be used on desktop and mobile
- User-friendly interface and design
- Secure
Cons:
- Can’t send coins across from one blockchain to another
Coinbase Wallet
Image source: Zipmex
Coinbase is another non-custodial wallet that allows users to store a wide range of unique digital assets safely.
The most exciting thing about this wallet? No fees! Unlike most of the available e-wallets, Coinbase doesn’t charge fees for using its wallet platform.
Coinbase supports all of the most popular networks such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Ripple, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Stellar, and Polygon. It also works well with Layer-2 options (ex. Arbitrum and Optimism).
Like Metamask, Coinbase makes it easy to onboard users. Just download the app or extension and log in.
Pros:
- No wallet fees
- Strong emphasis on security
- Easily earn interest
Cons:
- The mobile version is more beginner friendly than the desktop extensions
- Customer support issues
Oxalus Wallet
Image source: Oxalus
This wallet was specifically designed to hold NFTs for gamers. So, simply based on that premise, this wallet has a great player and game studio that deserves some merit.
Oxalus has also greatly emphasized security and is even regularly audited by Verichains.
This wallet makes it incredibly easy to exchange NFTs and will even help you stay up-to-date with new games and offers.
Pros:
- Emphasis on security
- User friendly
- A ton of partnered games/integrations
Cons:
- Small number of tokens supported
Trust Wallet
Image source: Alphr
Trust wallet is the official wallet by Binance and easily integrates with the Binance Smart Chain, but it also has a multi-chain option that allows it to support ERC 20 and BEP20 tokens as well.
This wallet supports over 1 million cryptocurrencies while allowing users to manage several wallets from inside one app.
But the two major drawbacks of this wallet are that it can really only be used on smartphones, and there is no way to recover an account if the key is lost.
Pros:
- Supports as many as 4.5 million crypto assets
- Offers a plug-and-play option
- A large number of users (more than 25 million currently)
Cons:
- Mostly mobile
- There is no recovery process if the key is lost
Tips for Choosing a Safe Crypto Wallet
- Check out the company’s reputation
Before you place your money or assets in a wallet, do a deep dive into the company’s reputation. We highly recommend finding a place where others candidly talk about their experiences with the company.
- Understand the wallets security measures
You don’t need to search far to find a hacking disaster. Make sure that you find a wallet that is up-to-date on security.
- Understand the recovery methods
Unlike banks, a lot of crypto wallets are non-custodial, which means no one but you will ever have access. If you lose the key, it may be impossible to recover the account with some wallets. It's best to look for wallets with an efficient yet easily accessible backup functionality.
Wallets for Crypto Games: Takeaway
Even Vitalik Buterin, the creator of the Ethereum blockchain technology, said the invention of NFTs came as a surprise to him.
If the inventor of the technology couldn’t predict such a massive use of his technology, it’s no wonder that it can be hard to sift through each new wave of tech out there.
Do your research. Reach out to the community around the NFT platform. Find something that will let you have fun without being overcomplicated. You can also check hardware crypto wallets!
Just remember! Find the perfect balance for you while being SAFE.
- Keep your private key offline
- Use secure connections when logging in
- Use 2FA when possible
FAQ
Which digital crypto wallet is best?
There are a lot of crypto wallets out there. The best one for you is going to depend on your needs. Do you need to use the cryptocurrency wallet more with your mobile or desktop? Are you going to store Bitcoin or Ethereum? If you are using it for gaming, you’ll need to find one compatible with your game of choice.
What is the number one crypto wallet?
The answer to this question is going to vary based on the users' needs. If you ask a gamer what the best crypto wallet out there is, they are likely going to list one that enables games to integrate well with it.
Can you play games for cryptocurrency?
Yes! P2E (play-to-earn) games are a great way to earn crypto while entertaining yourself.
Heather Budrevičienė
Heather is an American writer and editor based in Lithuania. She is obsessed with learning and loves to dabble with new tech in her free time. Heather started her career in Fintech and has only fallen more in love with blockchain through the years. She also loves to unplug and spend time outdoors. When she isn’t working, you are likely her with her family hiking in a forest or kayaking down a river.
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