A blockchain wallet is a digital wallet that allows users to manage bitcoin and ethereum.Blockchain wallet is provided by Blockchain, a software company founded by Peter Smith and Nicolas Cary.
E-wallets allow individuals to store cryptocurrencies. In the case of Blockchain Wallet, users can manage the balances of two cryptocurrencies: bitcoin and ethereum.
Creating an e-wallet with Blockchain Wallet is free and the account setup process is done online. Individuals must provide the email address and password used to manage the account, and the system will send an automated email requesting account verification.
Once the wallet is created, the user will be provided with an e-wallet ID, which is a unique identifier similar to a bank account number. E-wallet holders can access their e-wallet by logging into the Blockchain website or downloading and accessing the mobile app.
The Blockchain Wallet interface displays the current wallet balance in Bitcoin and Ether tokens and shows the user's most recent transactions. Users can send requests to a specific number of Bitcoins or Ether to another party and the system generates a unique address that can be sent to a third party or converted to a QR code.
A unique address is generated each time a user sends a request. Users can also send Bitcoins or Ether when someone provides them with a unique address. The send/receive process is similar to sending or receiving funds through PayPal, but using cryptocurrency.
Users can also exchange ether for bitcoin (and vice versa). A quote is displayed to the user indicating how much they will receive based on the current exchange rate, where the rate varies depending on how long it takes the user to complete the exchange. Exchanges do not appear in the wallet immediately, as it takes some time to add transactions to the blockchain for each currency.
Users can also buy or sell bitcoins through the interface, a service powered by trading partners such as Coinify or SFOX. Exchange rates are guaranteed for a limited time. To make a purchase, users must make a bank transfer or use a credit or debit card.
Bank transfers will incur a small payment fee (e.g. 0.25%) and may take a few days to receive the bitcoins. Using a credit or debit card provides instant access to Bitcoin, but incurs a larger convenience fee (e.g., 3%). Buying and selling services are not available in all areas.
Wallet security is an important consideration for users, as unauthorized access to an account may result in the loss of bitcoins and ethereum. Blockchain wallets have three levels of security:
Level 1 security is designed to prevent users from losing account access. It allows users to verify their email address, create a 12-word backup recovery phrase that can be used if they forget their password, and set a password reminder (the blockchain does not store passwords).
Level 2 security is designed to prevent unauthorized access to the wallet and includes linking a phone number to the account to receive a one-time password when logging into the account and creating a two-step authorization.
Level 3 security allows users to block Tor requests.