The feeling of losing crypto is unlike anything else — a split-second mistake, a wrong click, or a misplaced seed phrase can wipe out years of gains 1 a world where there is no customer support or undo button, understanding how to secure your assets is not optional; it’s essential. That’s exactly what Phil Kwok, co-founder of EasyA, sought to explain in his recent breakdown on the difference between cold and hot wallets — and the one mistake that can ruin 2 Cold and Hot Wallets Kwok begins by clearing up one of the most common misunderstandings among crypto users: the distinction between cold and hot 3 he puts it, “A cold wallet is simply a wallet that isn’t connected to the Internet.” This includes hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor, or even an offline seed phrase written on 4 they remain completely offline, cold wallets provide a strong defense against online hacks and phishing 5 breakdown on cold vs hot wallets!
and how to keep your crypto safe 0 6 — Phil Kwok | EasyA (@kwok_phil) October 19, 2025 In contrast, Kwok explains, “A hot wallet is one that is actually connected to the internet.” These are the wallets used on your phone, browser, or computer for everyday 7 offer speed and convenience but are always exposed to online 8 key takeaway is simple: cold wallets are for storing wealth securely, while hot wallets are for daily use and quick 9 their roles or merging them introduces unnecessary 10 Critical Mistake Most Users Make One of the most serious errors Kwok highlights is importing a cold wallet seed into a hot wallet, a move that completely defeats the purpose of having cold 11 warns bluntly: “Never upload that cold wallet seed phrase into a hot wallet.” Once your seed phrase touches an internet-connected device, it’s no longer 12 very act of importing that seed creates a digital bridge between your secure offline funds and the online world, a bridge hackers are always waiting to 13 emphasizes that “your security is only as good as your weakest link,” and if that weakest link is an imported seed on a browser extension or mobile app, the entire protection system 14 if the hardware device remains intact, its security is lost because the seed, the master key, is already 15 Safer Habits for XRP Storage Kwok’s advice is not just about avoiding mistakes but also about cultivating security 16 insists that users should keep their cold and hot wallets completely separate, never merging or syncing them under any 17 are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 A cold wallet should remain untouched by internet-connected devices, while a hot wallet should be treated as disposable, used only for trading or daily 18 also urges users to avoid digital backups of their seed 19 screenshots, saving photos, or storing them in cloud-based notes is a common and dangerous practice.
Instead, write the phrase down on paper, store it securely, and ensure it never comes into contact with the 20 further recommends using distinct devices for wallet management, keeping browser extensions or apps isolated from your everyday browsing environment. Finally, for users who need to move funds from cold storage, the right process is to sign transactions offline using the hardware wallet, and then broadcast them online without ever exposing the private 21 simple step keeps the security wall intact and ensures your seed remains offline where it 22 to Do If You Suspect a Compromise Kwok’s guidance also covers what to do in worst-case 23 you suspect your seed phrase has been exposed, even for a moment, act 24 only safe option is to create a new cold wallet with a brand-new seed phrase and transfer your funds without 25 wallets can be drained within minutes once their keys are discovered online, so hesitation can be 26 Is a Habit, Not a Feature In the end, Phil Kwok’s message is about responsibility and 27 and hot wallets each serve a purpose, but mixing them nullifies their 28 moment convenience takes priority over discipline, security begins to 29 following Kwok’s simple but vital principles — separating cold from hot, never importing cold seeds into connected devices, and treating seed phrases like the digital keys they truly are — users can protect their XRP and other cryptocurrencies from preventable 30 the crypto world, security is not paranoia; it is 31 : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial 32 views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s 33 are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment 34 action taken by the reader is strictly at their own 35 Tabloid is not responsible for any financial 36 us on Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News
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