Холодный кошелёк

What is Холодный кошелёк (Cold Wallet)?

A cold wallet keeps private keys off the network: on a hardware device, on paper, or on a separate computer with no internet access. Transaction signatures are generated inside the offline device, so an attacker who gains access to an online computer still cannot move funds without physical confirmation.

## How it works

Keys are generated and stored on the device. To send funds, the user prepares a transaction on a connected computer or phone, while the signature is produced on the cold storage device. The signed transaction is then broadcast to the network. The seed phrase from which the keys are restored is written down and stored separately from the device.

## Cold vs. hot wallets

A hot wallet is permanently connected to the network: mobile and browser apps, exchange accounts. It is convenient for everyday operations but more vulnerable to phishing, malware, and hacking. A cold wallet is slower to use but offers a significantly higher level of protection. In practice, the main balance is often kept in a cold wallet, while a hot wallet holds the amount needed for current payouts.

## Where it is used and what it affects

In crypto projects, cold wallets are used for treasuries, stablecoin reserves, and team funds. For affiliate and partner teams, the important points are procedures: who has access to the seed phrase, how multisig is organized, and what happens if a device is lost. Without a backup of the keys, the funds are lost permanently.

## Common mistakes

Typical problems include storing the seed phrase in the cloud or as a photo on a phone, buying a device from a reseller or a questionable source, entering the seed phrase on suspicious sites that imitate manufacturer support. Before use, check the device, write the phrase down on paper, and test recovery with a small amount.