Introduction to Web3 Wallets
Learn about Cobo Portal’s Web3 Wallets, a secure solution for managing digital assets with advanced security and compliance features.
Web3 Wallets are a sub-wallet type of Custodial Wallets designed for interacting with the Web3 ecosystem, including DeFi, NFTs, and dApps. With Web3 Wallets, you can perform smart contract calls, asset approvals, and message signing, without managing private keys or deploying infrastructure.
Unlike Asset Wallets, which focus on centralized fund management, Web3 Wallets allow you to independently control each address. You can explicitly specify the source address for each transaction or interaction, giving you greater flexibility and clarity.
You can access Web3 Wallets through the Cobo Portal web interface or via WaaS 2.0 API. You can also use the Cobo Connect browser extension to securely connect your wallets to dApps and perform on-chain actions.
Key features
Full support for on-chain interaction
Use your Web3 Wallets to securely perform contract calls, message signing, and asset approvals. These features are ideal for engaging with DeFi strategies, NFT marketplaces, and dApp authentication.
Fully custodial with secure key management
You don’t need to manage private keys yourself. Cobo ensures keys cannot be exported and uses multiple layers of security to safeguard your assets. Even in cases of accidental approvals, the impact is limited to the affected address.
Clear and flexible address-level control
You can specify the source address for each action, which improves operational clarity, asset isolation, and audit readiness.
Flexible fee handling
You can customize gas fees, or enable Fee Station to centralize gas payments and simplify operations.
Seamless dApp integration
You can integrate Web3 Wallets into dApps using Cobo Connect or WaaS 2.0 API. This provides a secure and convenient way to interact with Web3 applications without exposing your private keys.
Web3 Wallets vs. Asset Wallets
Key differences between Web3 Wallets and Asset Wallets are as follows:
| Category | Web3 Wallets | Asset Wallets |
|---|---|---|
| Use cases | Suitable for interacting with DeFi, NFTs, and dApps | Designed for centralized asset storage and routine transfers |
| Address usage | Each address operates independently and you can select the source address as needed | Source addresses are centrally assigned by the system, and all transfers are initiated from shared addresses. |
| On-chain capabilities | Supports token transfer, contract calls, message signing, and approvals | Token transfers only |
| Auto token sweeping | Disabled by default; you need to enable it manually | Enabled by default |
| Fee handling | You can customize gas fees and use Fee Station | Fees are calculated and handled by Cobo |
| Access methods | Cobo Portal, WaaS 2.0 API, and browser extension | Cobo Portal and WaaS 2.0 API |
| Token support | Includes all tokens supported by Asset Wallets, plus more ERC-20 tokens via Cobo Connect | Fixed list, view supported tokens and chains |
Web3 Wallets vs. MPC Wallets
In practice, Web3 Wallets and MPC Wallets support most of the same features, and their capabilities for asset transfer and management are largely equivalent. The main differences are summarized below:
| Category | Web3 Wallets | MPC Wallets |
|---|---|---|
| Use cases | Web3 operations without key custody | Advanced custody scenarios that require higher control |
| Key ownership | Fully managed by Cobo | Users hold private key shares in a distributed model |
| Compliance model | Integrated with Cobo’s KYT process | Flexible and user-configurable |
Learn more about using Web3 Wallets: