TL;DR: To receive bitcoin through Aureo, you need a personal wallet. Aureo is non-custodial, meaning your bitcoin is sent directly to you and never held on your behalf. This article explains what a Bitcoin wallet is, which options Aureo recommends, and how to get set up before your first purchase.
Why it matters
- Without a wallet, you cannot receive or store bitcoin
- Aureo never holds your bitcoin: your wallet is where it lives from the moment of purchase
- The wallet you choose determines your level of control, security, and convenience
- Setup takes a few minutes for most options and only needs to be done once
What is a Bitcoin wallet?
A Bitcoin wallet is a tool that stores the private keys that give you access to your bitcoin. It does not store bitcoin the way a physical wallet stores cash. Rather, your bitcoin exists on the Bitcoin blockchain, and your wallet holds the credentials that prove ownership and allow you to send or receive it.
Every wallet has at least one Bitcoin address: a string of letters and numbers that works like an account number. You share this address with Aureo as your destination, and your bitcoin is sent there directly after your purchase is processed.
Custodial vs. non-custodial: what is the difference?
This distinction matters before you choose a wallet.
A custodial wallet is managed by a third party. The provider holds your private keys on your behalf, similar to how a bank holds your pesos. It is simpler to use but means you are trusting someone else with access to your funds.
A non-custodial wallet gives you direct control. You hold your own private keys, and no third party can access or freeze your bitcoin. This requires more personal responsibility but is the foundation of genuine Bitcoin ownership.
Aureo is non-custodial by design. Your bitcoin goes directly to whichever wallet you set up. What happens to it after that depends entirely on your choice of wallet.
Recommended wallets
Aureo recommends three wallets depending on your needs and experience level.
Wallet of Satoshi is the simplest starting point for anyone new to bitcoin. It is a custodial mobile wallet with Lightning support built in, which means you can receive bitcoin instantly with no additional configuration. Setup takes under two minutes: download the app and your address is ready. It is the right choice if your priority is getting started quickly and you are comfortable with a custodial setup for now.
Blue Wallet is a non-custodial mobile wallet designed for on-chain Bitcoin. It gives you full control over your private keys while remaining approachable for users who are not deeply technical. It is well-suited for receiving bitcoin, building savings, and managing on-chain transactions without relying on a third party. It is the recommended option for users who want self-custody without the complexity of a hardware device.
COLDCARD is a hardware wallet designed for long-term, high-security Bitcoin storage. It stores your private keys on a dedicated physical device that never connects directly to the internet, making it the most secure option available for significant holdings. It requires more setup and carries a cost, but for users committed to full self-sovereignty over their bitcoin, it is the standard choice among serious holders.
How to find your Bitcoin address
Once you have installed your chosen wallet, locating your Bitcoin address follows the same basic steps across all options:
- Open the wallet and complete the initial setup
- Navigate to the receive section
- Your Bitcoin address will be displayed, usually as both a string of text and a QR code
- Copy the address and paste it as your destination in Aureo
Once your address is saved in Aureo, it will be used for future purchases unless you update it. You can change your destination address at any time before initiating a new transaction.
Which wallet is right for me?
The right choice depends on where you are in your bitcoin journey and what you plan to do with your funds.
If you are buying bitcoin for the first time and want the simplest experience, start with Wallet of Satoshi. You can always move your bitcoin to a non-custodial wallet later as your confidence grows.
If you want full control from the start without the complexity of a hardware device, Blue Wallet is the most accessible non-custodial option. It is a meaningful step up in terms of self-sovereignty and is not significantly harder to use.
If you are holding a meaningful amount of bitcoin and plan to store it long-term, COLDCARD is worth the investment. The added security of cold storage becomes more relevant as the value of your holdings grows.
There is no single correct answer. Many bitcoin holders use more than one wallet for different purposes: a mobile wallet for everyday use and a hardware wallet for long-term storage.
A note on keeping your wallet secure
Whichever wallet you choose, your most important responsibility is protecting your recovery phrase (also called a seed phrase). This is a sequence of 12 or 24 words generated when you set up a non-custodial wallet. It is the only way to recover your bitcoin if your device is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Write it down on paper. Store it somewhere safe and private. Never photograph it or store it digitally. Anyone with access to your recovery phrase has access to your bitcoin.
Custodial wallets like Wallet of Satoshi manage this on your behalf, which is part of what makes them simpler. The trade-off is that you are trusting the provider to keep it secure.
FAQ
Does Aureo hold my bitcoin after I buy it?
No. Aureo is non-custodial. Your bitcoin is sent directly to the wallet address you provide. Aureo does not hold, manage, or have access to your funds after the transaction is complete.
Can I use any Bitcoin wallet with Aureo?
Yes, as long as it provides a standard Bitcoin address or a Lightning address in the user@domain.com format. Aureo recommends Wallet of Satoshi, Blue Wallet, and COLDCARD because they are well-maintained and cover a range of needs and experience levels.
What is the difference between a Bitcoin address and a Lightning address?
A Bitcoin address is used for on-chain transactions and looks like a long string of letters and numbers. A Lightning address looks like an email address and is used for Lightning Network transactions. Both can be used as destinations in Aureo depending on which network you choose for your purchase.
Do I need a new Bitcoin address for every purchase?
No. A Bitcoin address can be reused. However, for privacy reasons, some non-custodial wallets like Blue Wallet generate a new address for each transaction. Both approaches work with Aureo.
What happens if I lose access to my wallet?
For non-custodial wallets, your recovery phrase is the only way to restore access. If you lose both your device and your recovery phrase, access to your bitcoin cannot be recovered by anyone, including Aureo. This is why storing your recovery phrase securely is critical.