Hot wallet
A hot wallet is a Bitcoin wallet actively connected to the internet that can send transactions immediately — suitable for daily spending, not large amounts.
A hot wallet (mobile app, browser extension, desktop software) is practical for daily use but vulnerable to malware, phishing and supply-chain attacks. Rule: keep only what you're willing to lose in a hot wallet (daily spending). For savings: cold storage. Popular hot wallets: Muun, Phoenix (Lightning), BlueWallet, Sparrow.
Example
A Bitcoin user keeps 2% in Muun (hot, daily Lightning payments) and 98% in Coldcard cold storage. Periodic top-up to Muun via Sparrow + Coldcard signing.
Frequently asked questions
Are hot wallets safe?
Safe for their purpose (small balance, daily use). Not safe for life savings. OS sandboxing helps but can't defeat root-compromise.
Related terms
Further reading
- → Our service: Bitcoin sector