First, you need to decide which crypto wallet you need. For example, for long-term storage of a large amount of savings, it is recommended to use non-custodial crypto wallets. The difference between such a wallet is that only its owner has full access to it (he knows the Private Key that can be used to access the wallet). As a rule, non-custodial crypto wallets work without an Internet connection (they are called cold wallets).

For currency trading and storing small amounts, you can use custodial wallets that are issued by special services. In this case, the owners of the service also actually have access to the wallet, so you should choose the service based on its reputation and user feedback.

Among non-custodial wallets, there are paper wallets (keys/QR codes printed on a piece of paper) and hardware wallets (a special device). You can also use a non-custodial wallet using the app. Custodial wallets can be opened on exchanges, in the browser, or also in special applications. At the same time, a cryptographic wallet that you opened using one of the methods can be restored in any other way, if you enter a seed phrase (a check list of random words) in it. AML Services Monitoring and Reviewer

How to create a hardware wallet

1. Buy a hardware crypto wallet. Among the most popular brands are Ledger and Trezor. The following instructions are based on the example of the Trezor device, but the specifics are the same for all such devices.
2. Download and install the application for the PC operating system from the official website.
3. After launching the app, connect the device to your computer via a cable, then click Setup Trezor in the app.
4. The app will require you to update your device’s firmware. After that, click Create new wallet in the app and select Standart seed backup.
5. Confirm the operation on the Trezor device itself.
6. Then click Create backup in the app, check each item in the instructions, and then click Begin backup.
7. Confirm the operation on the device again. After that, 12 words will appear on its screen. They must be rewritten in the same order in a safe place, since these words will be needed in the future, for example, to restore access to your wallet.
8. After scrolling through all the words, hold the Hold to confirm button on the device.
9. The device will then test your knowledge of these 12 words three times (for example, ask you what the second word was). After checking, click Confirm on the device.
10. In the PC app, select Continue to PIN, and on the next page, select Set PIN. After that, on the device itself, click the green check mark and set the PIN, then on the device and in the app, click Continue.
11. In the menu that opens on your computer, select the necessary cryptocurrencies to install on your wallet, and then click Complete setup.
12. Specify the device name, then click on Access suite and select the Standard wallet option.
13. After that, you can access your wallet via the app or web browser every time you connect your device.

How to create a desktop / mobile wallet

1. Choose the most suitable desktop or mobile wallet and install it on your computer / smartphone. Let’s take the Exodus service as an example, but the algorithm for similar services is approximately the same.
2. After downloading the app, you need to top up your account for any amount in any of the cryptocurrencies in order to get the crypto wallet data. For example, you can get a transfer from another user or buy cryptocurrency on an exchange. To do this, click Make your first deposit, then select the desired currency from the menu, click Recieve and use the key or QR code specified there for crediting.
3. After depositing funds, go to the Backup tab (marked with an exclamation mark).
4. Create and enter a password to access the app.
5. Create and enter 12 words to restore access to the wallet in the future, rewrite and save them in a safe place.
6. Enter your email address and complete the wallet creation.

How to start a paper wallet

1. Open a site for generating a paper wallet (for example, BitAdress).
2. Swipe the cursor across the screen or enter a random set of characters to generate a bitcoin address.
3. Select Paper wallet, specify the required number of wallets, and click Generate.
4. Print the received keys and QR codes.
5. To add funds to your wallet, send your public code (or its QR code) to other users and services.
6. To check your wallet balance, you can use special sites, such as blockchain.info.
7. In order to withdraw funds, you need to install one of the » hot » wallets according to the instructions above and use the previously generated Private Key in it.

How to buy cryptocurrency

To buy cryptocurrency, you can use cryptocurrency exchanges and exchange offices on the Internet, as well as peer-to-peer platforms where users place ads for buying and selling currency, and then exchange it with each other directly without intermediaries. You can also buy currency through bots in Telegram.

In exchange offices, you can get cryptocurrency in exchange for cash — in some cities, couriers are used for this, and, for example, in Moscow, you can come to the exchange office yourself (the largest exchangers are located in Moscow City in the Federation Tower).

After the start of the «military special operation» Mastercard and Visa have banned accepting payments from Russians abroad, and some exchanges and services have restricted working with local users. Because of this, you will not be able to directly buy cryptocurrency on the exchange from a Russian bank card.

How to buy cryptocurrency on an exchange

Registration on cryptocurrency exchanges is about the same: in addition to registering an account, each user must go through the KYC (Know your client) procedure and verify their identity by sending a selfie and a photo of an identity document. However, as a rule, no one checks the correctness of this data. Cryptocurrency exchanges also create custodial crypto wallets for users, from which they can transfer cryptocurrencies to their own wallets. As an example, consider buying a cryptocurrency on the Binance exchange.

1. Go to the registration form on the cryptocurrency exchange.
2. Specify your country of residence, then select «Create a personal account».
3. Enter your email address and create a password for your account. Enter the confirmation code that was sent to your email address. Then enter and confirm your mobile number via text message.
4. After that, the service offers to go through the identity verification procedure. Click «pass now», then enter your citizenship, last name, first name and patronymic, date of birth, and on the next page — your residential address;
5. Select the document that you want to upload to confirm your identity: passport (Russian or foreign) or driver’s license. In the next window, attach a photo of the document.
6. Upload a selfie that shows your face clearly.
7. Use the camera to scan your face to confirm your identity. After the verification procedure, you will get access to operations with cryptocurrency.
8. On the Binance home page, select «Buy cryptocurrency» from the top and go to the p2p platform for selling cryptocurrency.
9. Choose a suitable offer for the price and volume of cryptocurrency, and then click «Buy».
10. In the field that opens, specify how much cryptocurrency you want to purchase from the seller. Also pay attention to the payment methods specified by the seller. After that, click «Buy»again.
11. In the window that opens, you will see information about the merchant’s banking details to which they need to transfer funds (for example, to a bank card in a certain currency). Choose from the suggested options the most preferred method for you and click «Pay order».
12. Transfer funds to the merchant and click «Confirm». After the seller confirms receipt of the payment, you will receive cryptocurrency to your account.

If you have a foreign bank card, you can purchase cryptocurrency on an exchange. For this:

1. On the main page of Binance, in the «Buy cryptocurrency» tab, select «Credit / Debit Card».
2. Select the currency you want to purchase and the currency in which you want to pay for it. Click «Add a new card» and enter your bank details.
3. Confirm the payment within a minute. Otherwise, the price and amount of cryptocurrency received may change.

How to buy cryptocurrency through crypto exchanges

1. Open an aggregator for crypto exchanges, such as BestChange. In the menu on the left, specify what currency you need to exchange and what you plan to receive, and then click «Find the best rate».
2. Among the offers that open, find the most profitable one. Pay attention to the reviews for each of the exchangers. Click on the name of the exchange, and then you will go to its website.
3. In the window that opens on the exchange’s website, enter your payment details. The required data depends on the specific exchange. As a rule, the operation requires entering the bank card and crypto wallet details for receiving and debiting funds, as well as the amount of currency to be purchased.
4. The exchange may require you to verify your bank card for payment or provide a comment when transferring funds, and after completing the transaction, upload a receipt for online transfer.
5. After confirming your banking details and completing the transaction, the funds will be transferred to your crypto wallet.

How to pay with a card in crypt

Due to the» special operation», services that previously allowed issuing and using cryptocurrency debit cards in Russia have stopped supporting Russians, their accounts are now not serviced, and it is impossible to order delivery of new cards. However, you can use foreign cards to pay in Russia.

You can get these cards if you have a residence permit in the countries where these services operate (for example, in European countries), or use the services of companies that allow you to issue a card in another country without a residence permit. Instead of registration data, you may need a residence permit or work visa, as well as other documents confirming your residence in this country (for example, a bank statement or a housing payment agreement). However, there is no guarantee that such a card will be issued.

1. Choose a provider for issuing your crypto card (for example, ePayments, Wirex, or AdvCash). There are differences between them in the issue cost, usage rates, and transaction fees. As an example, we use one of the oldest and most popular AdvCash services.
2. Enable the VPN address of the country where you are currently resident (or where you can document your residence).
3. Register on the AdvCash website by entering your first and last name, email address, and account password.
4. After registration, the service will offer you to go through the identity verification procedure. Click «Pass verification».
5. Enter your mobile number and enter the confirmation code.
6. In the ID Card tab, click Continue. The service will first scan your face through the camera. After that, you need to download the driver’s license, ID or residence permit of the country where you are trying to open the crypto card.
7. After completing verification, select «Maps»and the appropriate map.
8. Attach a photo of your passport and a photo with it, as well as documents in English confirming your residence in the country (utility bills or communication services, an account statement or confirmation from the bank about opening an account).
9. Specify the delivery address of the card in the country where you registered the card, and get it at this address. Delivery takes about a month.
10. After you receive the card, you need to activate it. To do this, in your merchant profile, in the «Cards» item, select the issued card (it will be marked in yellow) and enter the full debit card number indicated on the plastic card itself. Its balance will be linked to cryptocurrency accounts on AdvCash.
11. Add funds to your AdvCash wallet. You will not be able to store the cryptocurrency itself on it, but you can convert it to stablecoins (for example, USDT). To do this, select «Deposit to account» and specify the amount and currency to deposit. After that, select your preferred payment option at the bottom and click «Top up».
12. Transfer funds using the specified banking details and click «I paid».

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