What is a crypto wallet
Learn about cryptocurrency wallets, focusing on non-custodial wallets for STON.fi. Discover how to store, send, and receive crypto securely with private keys and seed phrases.
Learn what a crypto wallet is, why non-custodial wallets are required for STON.fi, how hot and cold wallets differ, and how to keep your keys safe.
The big idea: read this first
A wallet doesn’t “store” your tokens. All tokens live on the blockchain. A wallet is a signing app or signing device that: • shows you your on-chain balances and activity, and • creates and signs transactions with your private key so the network accepts them as valid.
Whoever controls the private key controls the funds. That’s why key storage and signing matter more than the app’s brand or look.
Custodial vs non-custodial (self-custody)
• Custodial wallet. A company holds the keys for you (e.g., on a centralized exchange). You usually pass KYC. Convenience is high; control is not. You cannot use custodial wallets to interact with STON.fi or other DEX apps directly. • Non-custodial (self-custody). You hold the keys. Your wallet generates a recovery (seed) phrase (12 or 24 words) from which keys are derived. Privacy and control are yours. This is the type you use with STON.fi.
Hot vs cold: how your key is kept
• Hot wallet (software). An internet-connected app on your phone or desktop (e.g., Tonkeeper, Tonhub). It can build and sign transactions itself. Easiest for daily use; protect the device and backups carefully. • Cold wallet (hardware). A dedicated offline device (e.g., Ledger). It never exposes the private key to your phone/PC or the internet. It only signs transactions you approve on the device. Safer key storage; a bit more steps to use.
How a hardware wallet flow works
You prepare a transaction in a companion app (for TON, that’s commonly Tonkeeper).
The unsigned transaction is sent to your hardware device (via cable, Bluetooth, or QR).
You verify the details on the device screen and approve.
The device produces a valid signature; the companion app broadcasts the signed transaction. Result: your private key never leaves the device.
Seed phrase, private key, and addresses — what’s what
• Seed (recovery) phrase: 12/24 words you must back up offline. It can regenerate your keys. • Private key: the cryptographic secret used to sign transactions. Never share it. • Public key / address: what others use to send you tokens.
💡 Rule of thumb: anyone with your seed or private key has your wallet.
Which wallet to use for STON.fi?
Use a non-custodial TON wallet. Hot wallets are great for everyday swaps and liquidity actions. If you prefer stronger protection, pair your companion app with a hardware wallet — STON.fi supports Ledger flows for key operations (like providing liquidity to v2 pools) with a step-by-step signing experience.
Security basics
• Back up your seed phrase on paper, in order, and keep it offline in two safe places. No screenshots, no cloud notes. • Set a strong device password/biometrics. Keep your phone/PC clean and updated. • Verify links and contracts before signing. If something looks off, stop and re-check. • Never share your seed or private key. Support will never ask for them.
Common myths busted
• “My tokens are inside Tonkeeper/Ledger.” No. They’re recorded on the TON blockchain; the wallet just proves you’re the owner and lets you move them. • “Paper wallets aren’t real wallets.” A written seed is, in fact, a perfectly valid (offline) backup. Protect it like cash and IDs. • “Hardware wallets are complicated.” They add one approval step on the device. That extra step is the whole point: safer keys.
Bottom line
For STON.fi and other DEX apps, you need a non-custodial wallet. Choose a reputable hot wallet for convenience, and consider a hardware wallet if you want stronger key isolation. Remember: the wallet is your signer; the blockchain is where your assets live. Keep the signer safe, and the assets stay yours.
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