Hardware wallets and paper backups are the common forms. The trade-off is convenience: cold storage is deliberately awkward to spend from, which is exactly why it is safer.
The counterpart is a hot wallet, connected and convenient, appropriate for smaller working balances.
This definition is educational and not financial advice. Crypto is volatile and high-risk — always do your own research.
Keep learning
New to crypto, or filling in the gaps? Work through the essentials in Learn, browse every term A–Z, or see live prices for the coins these concepts power.