How to set up a crypto wallet (beginner guide)

Types of wallet

Setting up a mobile or browser wallet

1. 1Download the wallet only from its official website or your device's official app store. Check the publisher name.
2. 2Create a new wallet. Set a strong passcode.
3. 3The app shows a recovery phrase of 12 or 24 words. Write them down on paper, in order, exactly.
4. 4Confirm the phrase when the app asks you to.
5. 5Store the paper somewhere safe and private, away from screens and cameras.
6. 6Find your receiving address. It is public and safe to share.
7. 7Send yourself a small amount from an exchange or another wallet as a test. Confirm it arrives.

Never take a screenshot or photo of the phrase, never store it in cloud notes, and never share it with anyone, including support.

Understanding keys and addresses

• Address: like an account number, safe to share so people can send you funds.
• Private key: the secret that signs transactions. Never share.
• Recovery phrase: a human-friendly version of the keys that can restore your wallet on any device.
• Password or passcode: only protects the app on one device. It does not replace the phrase.

Adding networks and tokens

Most wallets support Ethereum and several other networks by default. For Arbitrum, you may need to enable or add the network, which most wallets list in their settings. Tokens such as USDC and USDT usually appear automatically once you hold them. If they do not, add them by contract address from the token issuer's official page, never from a message.

Your first transaction

1. 1Copy the receiving address from the wallet.
2. 2On the sender side, paste it and check the first and last characters.
3. 3Select the right network. This matters as much as the address.
4. 4Send a small amount first.
5. 5Wait for it to appear before sending more.

Common beginner mistakes

• Losing the phrase. There is no reset. Without it, funds are lost if the device is lost.
• Typing the phrase into a website or sharing it with "support".
• Sending on the wrong network.
• Using a fake wallet app from an ad or lookalike listing.

Choosing your first wallet

• Is it widely used and open to review?
• Does it support the networks you need, such as Arbitrum?
• Does it support WalletConnect, so it can connect to sites by QR code?
• Is it available from an official store with a long history of reviews?
• Does it let you export or back up your phrase?

Writing down your recovery phrase well

1. 1Use a pen and paper, not a photo.
2. 2Write each word clearly, number them, and check the spelling against the wallet's list.
3. 3Store the paper somewhere fireproof and private. Consider a second copy in a different place.
4. 4Do not store it with your device.
5. 5Test the backup by restoring on a spare device, with a tiny balance, before relying on it.

What to do after setup

Send a tiny test amount, practise one full send and receive, and make a note of how to reach support. Add the networks you need. Only then move more. Treat the first week as a training period with small amounts.

Example: your first hour with a wallet

1. 1Install the wallet from the official site or app store. Create a new wallet.
2. 2Write the 12 words on paper in order. Confirm them in the app.
3. 3Store the paper somewhere safe. Never photograph it.
4. 4Copy your receiving address and send yourself a small test amount from an exchange.
5. 5Check it arrived on the right network.
6. 6Send the test amount back out to practise.

What good backups look like

• Paper, or a metal plate, stored in a fireproof and private place.
• A second copy in a different location.
• A trusted person who knows where it is, for emergencies.
• Never in a cloud drive, email, notes app or photo.