COMPUTER STUDIO LIMITED: October 2014

BITCOINS – WHICH WALLET?

Today, with the ever-growing popularity of digital Cryptocurrency the world has also seen an increase in the many different Wallet storage options available with Bitcoin and Altcoin Private Keys (secure digital keys used to personally by the owner to access wallet addresses and make transactions).

This guide will focus specifically on some of the various Bitcoin wallets available. It is, however, the sole responsibility of each individual to carry out all the necessary research and make a thorough investigation themselves into these products and services, carefully weighing up the pros and cons of each one :

Computer Desktop Wallets :

Installation of an original Bitcoin ‘Client’ Desktop Wallet ( https://bitcoin.org/en/download ) enables download of the Bitcoin block chain (history) to date, creation of an address for sending and receiving Cryptocurrency, as well as storage of the private key and the ability to make actual transactions.

Examples of some alternative Desktop Wallet options :

· Multibit ( https://multibit.org ) for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux

· Hive ( https://www.hivewallet.com ) an OSX-based wallet that includes unique features as well as an App Store with direct connection to Bitcoin services

· Armory ( https://bitcoinarmory.com ) is designed with security as it’s focus

· DarkWallet ( https://www.darkwallet.is ) specialises in anonymity – by means of a browser plug-in additional services can be accessed, including coin ‘mixing’ (exchange)

Smartphone Mobile Wallets :

https://methodise.me

Whilst not full ‘Clients’, these Mobile ‘Client’ Wallet apps store private keys for an individual’s Bitcoin address, without requiring the entire block chain to be downloaded. A small sub-set of the block chain only is required to enable a simplified payment verification (SPV) that interacts with Bitcoin network nodes to ensure the user can make payments easily and securely via a Smartphone, while on the move.

Examples of a few Android-based Wallet apps :

Bitcoin Wallet -

( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.schildbach.wallet )

Blockchain Wallet -

( https://blockchain.info/wallet/android-app )

Kipochi Wallet -

( https://www.kipochi.com )

Mycelium Wallet -

( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mycelium.wallet )

Xapo Wallet -

( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xapo )

Examples of a few iPhone-based Wallet apps :

bitWallet - ( https://itunes.apple.com/it/app/bitwallet-bitcoin-wallet/id777634714?mt=8 ) - compatible with iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch

Blockchain Wallet - ( https://blockchain.info/wallet/iphone-app )

Internet-based Online Wallets :

These online services provide storage of private keys that can be accessed easily whilst a user is on the move. https://methodise.me Some are able to link to Smartphone mobile or desktop wallets and can replicate addresses between the user’s various devices.

A word of caution :

Users are strongly advised to make a thorough investigation of all features of these services offered and, especially, to think seriously about the implementation of such services to ensure that ‘YOUR coins stay securely in YOUR control’, rather than in the control of an Online Wallet service provider.

Examples of a few Online Wallet providers :

Blockchain - ( https://blockchain.info/wallet )

Coinbase - ( https://www.coinbase.com )

Strongcoin - ( https://www.strongcoin.com )

Hardware Wallets :

Dedicated devices that hold private keys electronically. Review the advantages of these wallet types = https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Hardware_wallet

Examples of a few Hardware Wallets :

Mycelium - ( https://mycelium.com )

Nymi Armband - ( http://techcrunch.com/2014/02/04/nymi-bitcoin )

Trazor - ( http://www.bitcointrezor.com )

Paper Wallets :

Examples of a few Paper Wallets :