It can be intimidating to find wallets for every cryptocurrency. Sure, Bitcoin has a large range of wallets available on all platforms but not every cryptocurrency enjoys this privilege. Many cryptocurrencies don’t have mobile wallets available.
One example is Ripple(XRP). Users have 2 options to store their coins apart from exchanges.
- Use an online wallet like Gatehub.net or CoinPayments.net.
- Download the desktop wallet to store the coins.
Now there is a problem here for beginners.
Most don’t know about option 1, even if they do, it can be a problem getting verified from services like Gatehub.
Why do I say so? Because that’s what happened to me. I wasn’t able to receive a verification on Gatehub and would not have found CoinPayments if it wasn’t my thirst for finding something trustworthy.
In option 2, it’s too much of a risk or hard work because your coins are stored in a desktop wallet and will only be as secure as your computer. In this scenario, users tend to store their coins from the exchange they bought it such as Poloniex, Bittrex, Kraken or Bitstamp.
But should you really adopt this practice? The answer is no. But why? Let’s find out.
We have compiled a list of the most notable hacks on Cryptocurrency exchanges for you.
This post goes into detail about how Bithumb, South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange was recently hacked resulting in millions worth of Bitcoins being lost alongside personal information of users.
The first ever significant hack to ever happen was on the Mt.Gox Cryptocurrency Exchange which also left the price of Bitcoin draining for quite a long time as people lost trust after such a huge amount of their saving was just lost.
Wired does an excellent job here explaining the mismanagement and turmoil that went behind Mt.Gox leading to the world’s largest Bitcoin exchange being hacked twice and eventually filing for bankruptcy in February 2014.
Back in August 2016, Bitfinex, one of the largest Bitcoin exchanges was also hacked resulting in Coins worth $60 Million being stolen. Business Insider sheds some light on this massive attack.
Bitstamp, also one of the major Bitcoin exchanges, was hacked in the beginning of 2015 on 4th January leading to a temporary suspension till the 9th of January. Tech Crunch gives a detailed overview of how many coins were compromised, the details released by the company, official statements and how Bitstamp came back online with improved security.
All these hacks should teach us at least one thing, we should not store our coins on exchanges simply because they are really vulnerable and susceptible to hacks.
So the million dollar question is, where should you store your coins?
Well, for Bitcoins their exist, numerous trusted solutions such as Airbitz,Breadwallet and other mobile wallets but you’ll eventually run into the issue of where to store other coins that do not have such a wide range of options.
I’d recommend you to use a solution like CoinPayments, it has a trusted team behind it and vendors like Yahoo & CoinDesk from more than 182 countries have been using it. There are plenty of others available as well but you should spend ample amount of time doing your research to find a trustworthy solution and please once again, stay away from exchanges.
About the Author:
Sudais Asif is a Level 2 Seller on Fiverr offering WordPress based services, trading cryptocurrencies and is also translating WordPress into Urdu. Throughout his freelancing journey, he has gained valuable experiences which he likes to share with others.
crypto currency is not more than a bubble
do u have knowledge about it??? kindly share it here for us
Yes i know knowledge crypto currency .bitcoin reach 10000 usd
What an idiot
read an article issued by director of EURO CENTRAL
BANK
I believe that block chain technology is here to stay and crypto-currencies could be the future of money. However, I’m still not convinced that the current crypto-currencies are the ones that will survive. As total crypto market capitalization rises, governments and central banks start to take notice. It’s possible that we will see government-backed cryptos in the future that could well take a big chunk of the total market cap. As a currency, Bitcoin has severe limitations when it comes to transaction capability.
They have already noticed, its that great cryptos like Ripple, Ethereum & IOTA are solving real life issues which really add value.
That is why Microsoft, WordPress, Namecheap & other household brands are accepting it,investors are holding on to it,it has real uses buddy.
pakistan does not recognise crypto currencies hence what’s the point of this article.
It does, it just doesn’t facilitate Bitcoin,even Pakistan’s own crypto exists known as ‘Pakcoin.’
Use cold storage as I do, avaliable for almost every coin.
Yes I agree that’s the safest but its a bit time consuming and complicated for many.
any reliable option to transfer bitcoins to local bank in Pakistan in PKR?
Convert it to USD in an exchange and then withdraw the money.
which exchange converts it into USD and then have the option of getting it to Pakistan in PKR?
Every exchanges such as Poloniex,Bitstamp,Kraken,etc would do it for you just as it happens with shares,however you do need to get verified to exchange in fiat money on some exchanges.
whatever you do do not store your keys in made in china USB. :D
Hello I have recently invested in crypto currencies and now I will cash them out? How can I withdraw, do I have to transfer the coins to e wallet first and then cash out from e wallet to bank? Is that safe to withdraw from bank as we have legal issues in Pakistan regarding cryptos.
hi sir, i also wana ask the same question u asked above.. did u find any solution ? how to with draw crypto to pakistani banks as thier is legal issues in pak regarding cryptos?