Paper Wallet
A private key printed or written on paper, kept fully offline so no hacker can reach it remotely.
A paper wallet stores a private key and its matching address on physical paper, often as QR codes. Nothing touches the internet, so remote attackers have no path in. It was a popular cold-storage trick in Bitcoin's early years.
The weaknesses are physical and procedural. Paper burns, fades, and gets thrown out. Generating one on a compromised computer leaks the key. Spending from it usually means importing the key into software, which exposes it. Hardware wallets have largely replaced the method.
Related terms
Keeping crypto keys completely offline for long-term safekeeping, out of reach of malware and remote attackers.
Private KeyThe secret number that proves ownership of crypto and authorizes spending it; whoever holds it controls the funds.
Hardware WalletA dedicated physical device that holds your private keys and signs transactions without exposing them to your computer.
Self-CustodyHolding your own private keys directly, so no exchange or company stands between you and your crypto.