Paper Wallet
Also known as: Offline Wallet, Printed Private Key, Cold Paper Storage
A printed or handwritten document containing a cryptocurrency private key and public address for offline storage.
A paper wallet is a physical document—often printed or handwritten—that stores a public address and its associated private key, used to receive and access cryptocurrency funds. It's a form of cold storage since it's completely offline and immune to online hacking. Paper wallets were once popular for Bitcoin long-term holders but have largely been replaced by hardware wallets due to usability and security concerns. Improper printing, ink fading, or loss of the paper can permanently compromise access to funds. They remain a minimalist, low-tech alternative for secure crypto storage.