Desktop Wallet

What Is a Desktop Wallet?

A desktop wallet is a type of software wallet that is typically non-custodial. This means that no central platform or third party has custody of the cryptocurrencies owned by a specific wallet. Only the end-user has the ability to transfer funds using private keys.

Desktop wallets offer accessibility, which is important to many cryptocurrency users, especially those who are new to crypto trading. Desktop wallets also provide ease of use as they are often connected to trading platforms, allowing users to conveniently monitor their crypto while maintaining control of their private keys. Some desktop wallets, such as AtomicDEX, utilize atomic swaps to facilitate peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading, while others have integrations with centralized exchanges. Desktop wallets can be downloaded for free, and many of them use either partial or fully open-source code.

One disadvantage of using crypto wallets on desktop devices is the lack of portability compared to mobile devices. However, most desktop wallets are compatible with corresponding mobile wallets, enabling users to easily transfer their seeds from a desktop device to a mobile device for greater portability if necessary.

Some popular desktop wallets include AtomicDEX, Electrum, Exodus, and Guarda.

Author: Kadan Stadelmann, CTO of Komodo

Kadan Stadelmann is a blockchain developer, operations security expert, and Chief Technology Officer of Komodo, an open-source technology provider that offers comprehensive blockchain solutions for developers and businesses. Komodo collaborates closely with organizations that aim to launch their own customized decentralized exchanges, DeFi platforms, and independent blockchains. Its flagship technology and end-user application is AtomicDEX – a mobile and web-compatible non-custodial multi-coin wallet and atomic swap-powered DEX combined into one dApp. Kadan strongly aligns with Komodo’s open-source vision and ideology. His commitment to the Komodo project is rooted in an unwavering desire to improve the world. In addition to cryptography, blockchain technology, and development, Kadan has a keen interest in literature, mathematics, astrophysics, and traveling.