>[!caution] Any wallets requiring seed or key importation online, or the generation of seeds or keys online, are inherently vulnerable. Software wallets are digital wallets that store assets on devices such as computers or smartphones. They provide users with varying degrees of control over their private keys, allowing them to manage and access their funds. These are generally considered a form of non-custodial wallet when users have direct control over their assets, rather than relying on a third-party key custodian. Web wallets are typically managed and created via a website or a web browser extension. These are generally considered custodial wallets, depending on whether the private keys are provided to the end user. Many web browser extensions will provide the user a seed, but the private key will be encrypted by a user password (keys are usually stored on the user's device but also accessible by the browser extension upon decryption). Here are a few examples of software wallets for specific cryptocurrencies: ### Electrum (Bitcoin) Electrum is a popular software wallet for Bitcoin. It is a lightweight wallet that offers advanced features like multi-signature support and hardware wallet integration. Users have full control over their private keys and can easily backup and restore their wallets. ### MyEtherWallet (MEW) MEW is a web wallet specifically designed for Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens. It primarily operates as a website, allowing users to access their Ethereum wallets and interact with the Ethereum blockchain through a web interface. It allows users to create and manage Ethereum wallets, interact with smart contracts, and store their assets. MEW is an open-source wallet, ensuring transparency and security. MEW also offers a client browser extension called "MEW CX" that functions as a browser extension. MEW CX is available for Chrome and Brave browsers. ### Exodus Exodus is a multi-currency software wallet that supports various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and many others. Users have full control over their private keys and can easily manage their diverse crypto holdings. These software wallets provide users with the ability to control their funds and are considered forms of self-custody. However, it is important to note that the security of these wallets relies on the user's responsibility to protect their private keys and follow best security practices. ### Hermit Unchained Capital is a financial services company that offers a range of Bitcoin custody solutions, and they provide an open-source wallet which allows users to securely generate private keys in an offline environment (airgap). Unchained also offers multi-signature vaults with collaborative key management, giving users full control over their private keys while adding an extra layer of security. Because Hermit can be self-deployed, it may be considered one of the more pure forms of self-custody known as [[Self Hosting|self hosting]]. From the [Hermit GitHub repo](https://github.com/unchained-capital/hermit): >[!quote] Hermit is a sharded, [[Wallet Types#Hierarchical Deterministic (HD)|hierarchical deterministic]] wallet designed for cryptocurrency owners who demand the highest possible form of security. ### Loopring Wallet Loopring is a protocol for building decentralized exchanges on the Ethereum blockchain. Loopring also has a mobile wallet application called Loopring Wallet, which is a software wallet that allows users to manage their Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens. Loopring's smart contract-based security model also enables users to self-custody their assets while providing social recovery options through verifiable secret sharing and threshold signatures. The Loopring Wallet is designed to work seamlessly with the Loopring protocol and provides users with the ability to trade tokens directly from their wallet. ### MetaMask MetaMask is a web wallet that allows users to manage their Ethereum-based assets and interact with decentralized applications (dApps) on the Ethereum blockchain. It functions as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Brave browsers, providing users with a secure vault to store their private keys. Users have full control over their [[Mnemonic Seed|mnemonic seed]], ensuring enhanced security and privacy. ### Sparrow Wallet Sparrow Wallet is a software wallet that offers enhanced security features. It implements Shamir's Secret Sharing algorithm, which allows users to split their private keys into multiple parts and distribute them for added security. Additionally, Sparrow Wallet has air-gapped signing capabilities, which means that transactions can be signed offline on a separate device, further protecting the private keys. You can find more information about Sparrow Wallet on their official website: https://www.sparrowwallet.com/.