What is a wallet and why do I need one?

A crypto wallet is kind of like the wallet in your jeans pocket, but built for the Web3 world. Your crypto assets are both stored and traded via your crypto wallet. Assets can include cryptocurrency like Bitcoin and Ethereum or, if you’re on a platform like OP3N, unique NFTs (non-fungible tokens).

You can use a traditional payment method like a credit card to buy an NFT on OP3N’s platform, but you will need a crypto wallet to store your NFT. All crypto assets are connected to digital blockchain networks and your wallet holds “keys” that interact with those networks to verify who owns what. So once a NFT is “minted” (made unique on the network) a wallet is the only way ownership can be assigned to you, allowing you to enjoy all the cool perks of your NFT.

If you’re just getting into Web3 and want to purchase some NFTs on OP3N, we recommend you sign up for a wallet from an app like MetaMask or Rainbow (iOS only). When your wallet is created, you’ll be given a “seed phrase” which is basically a password made up of a bunch of words. Make sure to keep your seed phrase secure by writing it down and storing the paper in a safe place. Avoid saving your seed phrase electronically and never divulge it to anyone online. There is no recovery process for a seed phrase - if you lose it, you won’t be able to access your wallet. So we can’t stress it enough, keep your seed phrase safe!

Remember, while you need a crypto wallet to own an NFT, you do not need to use cryptocurrency to buy NFTs on OP3N. Happy minting!