Brave Wallet: the crypto wallet built into a browser

Brave Wallet is different from every other wallet in this list: it is not an extension. It is built into the Brave web browser, so if you use Brave, the wallet is already there.

Who makes it

Brave Software, which makes the Brave browser. The wallet's code is open source.

Why "built in" matters

Lesson 37 explains that fake wallet extensions are a common way to steal seed phrases. Because Brave Wallet comes with the browser, there is no separate extension to find, so you cannot install a fake one by mistake. Updates arrive with browser updates.

The trade-off is that you must use Brave. If you switch browser, you need another wallet or must restore your seed phrase elsewhere.

What you can do with it

Hold and send crypto. Brave Wallet supports Ethereum and Ethereum-style networks, Solana and Filecoin. It also supports shielded Zcash payments, which hide the sender, receiver and amount. The Zcash guide explains those.

Swap. An integrated aggregator finds swap routes on Solana and Ethereum-style networks. Network fees apply, and Brave may add a fee, shown before you confirm.

Buy crypto. You can buy with a card or bank transfer through partners.

View NFTs and prices. It shows NFTs across networks and prices from CoinGecko.

Use a hardware wallet. Ledger and Trezor work on desktop; Brave says mobile support is coming.

What it is less good at

Its network list is shorter than the big multichain wallets. Hardware wallets do not yet work on mobile. And a wallet inside your everyday browser is still a hot wallet (Lesson 25).

Is it safe?

Brave Wallet is self-custody: you hold the seed phrase. Its code is open and audited. Being built in removes the fake-extension risk, but not the risk of signing a harmful transaction or entering your seed phrase on a phishing site.

Who it suits

People who already use Brave and want a wallet without installing anything else, especially for Ethereum-style networks and Solana.

Setting it up safely

1. Install from the source. The wallet is built into Brave, so download the Brave browser from brave.com and open the wallet from the menu.
2. Write the seed phrase on paper. Brave Wallet shows it once when you create a wallet. Write every word in order and keep it offline. Lesson 30 shows how, and our free backup card helps.
3. Never type the phrase anywhere else. No genuine site, support agent or app update will ask for it.
4. Start small. Send a small amount first and check it arrives before moving more.
5. Review connections. From time to time, remove app connections and token approvals you no longer use.

How it compares

Compared with MetaMask and Phantom, Brave Wallet covers fewer networks but removes the fake-extension risk and adds shielded Zcash. Like Rainbow, its code is public. The main trade-off is that it only works in Brave.