Author

Topic: Cold storage vs Paper wallet (Read 2140 times)

hero member
Activity: 812
Merit: 509
June 22, 2017, 05:09:25 AM
#13
Which one do you prefer?

Okay, i see a lot of replies that really don't make sense and don't help at all. Mocacinno's response was probably the best, although I think that he assumed that cold storage meant an airgapped PC, which isn't correct imo.

What I interpret cold storage as is any sort of storage device that is able to store your bitcoin private keys without an internet connection, thus having the maximum security. So paper wallets would be a subset of cold storage. Hardware wallets aren't really cold storage, even though they are really secure because whenever you plug it into a PC you are still connected to internet. Correct me if i'm wrong though because I do see people using both terms interchangeably.

I wouldn't recommend using a paper wallet, instead, look at Cryptosteel. They can cost quite a lot but i think it's worth it if you're storing for the long term. Completely offline and secure, immune to water and fire damage unlike paper wallets as well.
full member
Activity: 588
Merit: 128
June 22, 2017, 03:59:40 AM
#12
Paper wallet is also a form of cold storage like hardware wallet.

As for me, I prefer hardware wallet coz it securely sign transaction in the same offline. I use trezor for this.
sr. member
Activity: 434
Merit: 251
physics, mathematics and engineering
June 22, 2017, 03:21:54 AM
#11
If you want to use your BTC to buy stuff, you should propably use a hardware wallet, since it offers a good security and is more or less convinient.

If you plan on saving your BTC (like for a few years) you should consider unsing a Paper wallet, since it is cheaper and you don´t need to withdrawl often.
sr. member
Activity: 742
Merit: 329
CryptoTalk.Org - Get Paid for every Post!
June 22, 2017, 03:16:20 AM
#10
Both are good storage of bitcoins or any other altcoins but i dont preffer me myself and i dont see myself using even one of that,yeah they are good but i think hardware wallet is still alot safer i think
sr. member
Activity: 1456
Merit: 386
DeepOnion Your Utility Coin with Ultimate Privacy
June 22, 2017, 03:13:08 AM
#9
Paper wallets can be understood from by just looking the top surface and hardware stored wallets can not be understood content unless you connect them to correct environment. This difference can be important at some cases.
AGD
legendary
Activity: 2070
Merit: 1164
Keeper of the Private Key
June 22, 2017, 03:06:15 AM
#8
A paper wallet can be a cold storage, so there is nothing to compare here. https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Cold_storage
/thread
legendary
Activity: 1470
Merit: 1079
June 22, 2017, 03:04:35 AM
#7
Which one do you prefer?

Cold storage is when private keys are stored in a secure offline environment and paper wallets are one of the means to achieve it. I am assuming that your definition of cold storage involves using vault facility of third party websites like Coinbase and Xapo to store bitcoins. These sites claim to keep 98% of stored bitcoins offline, but still it is not worth trusting them with a substantial amount.

As far as cold storage is concerned, hardware and paper wallets are the best option. You can also use a dedicated offline computer to store your bitcoins, but it is less convenient and require some technical knowledge.
hero member
Activity: 1792
Merit: 534
Leading Crypto Sports Betting & Casino Platform
June 22, 2017, 02:55:21 AM
#6
Paper wallets are a form of cold storage, so it's hard to tell exactly what you're talking about.

It really depends on what you're trying to achieve.  Personally, I would feel comfortable storing quite a significant amount in hardware wallets as long as I've secured them properly, and this way you can use them for everyday transactions as well.

Paper wallets are inconvenient in that you can't regularly spend from them like you can with hardware wallets.

I say treat paper wallets like a "savings account", and a hardware wallet like a "current account".  If you're not absolutely rich, hardware wallets can be a "savings account" too, and can be hidden pretty easily.
hero member
Activity: 504
Merit: 512
June 22, 2017, 02:22:25 AM
#5
But paper wallet is one way of cold storage Huh

What is really your doubt?
hero member
Activity: 2590
Merit: 644
June 22, 2017, 02:21:47 AM
#4
Which one do you prefer?
I prefer hardware wallet because it is usable in any moment we want but the paper wallet is just only for storing and if you withdraw your coins then you cannot use that paper wallet again while in hardware wallet it is just like the normal wallet (desktop, web wallet and many more..) you just need to connect it to your computer to start transactions without having any security issues.
staff
Activity: 3500
Merit: 6152
June 22, 2017, 02:20:16 AM
#3
Paper wallets are a form of cold storage, from the bitcoin wiki:

Quote
-On a USB drive or other data storage medium in a safe place (e.g. safe deposit box, safe)
-On a paper wallet
-On a bearer item such as a physical bitcoin.
-Use a offline Bitcoin Hardware wallet

I personally find hardware and paper wallets the most convenient.
legendary
Activity: 3612
Merit: 5297
https://merel.mobi => buy facemasks with BTC/LTC
June 22, 2017, 02:19:29 AM
#2
Which one do you prefer?

Personally, i prefer a hardware wallet...
Both your choices are ok, but they have a different use case:
- a paper wallet can be used to deposit BTC without withdrawing... It's cheap and easy to make, but once you sweep it, you have to make a brand new one.
- cold storage (i assume you mean using an airgapped pc) is more expensive (since you need a dedicated offline pc), but it can be used to deposit and withdraw

A hardware wallet almost offers the security of an airgapped PC, but is much cheaper...
full member
Activity: 161
Merit: 100
June 22, 2017, 02:16:21 AM
#1
Which one do you prefer?
Jump to: