Home
/
Security measures
/
Wallet security
/

Choosing the right time for a cold wallet purchase

Cold Wallet Buying | When Is It the Right Time?

By

John O'Sullivan

Feb 12, 2026, 07:27 AM

Edited By

Emma Zhang

Updated

Feb 12, 2026, 02:41 PM

2 minutes reading time

Person comparing Trezor and Ledger cold wallets with crypto graphs in the background

As the bear market persists, many crypto holders are rethinking their storage options. The call for cold wallets grows louder as people debate when to buy one and which model to choose. With the potential for a 100% increase in holdings, the urgency to secure assets intensifies.

Urgency in Transitioning to Cold Storage

Conversations on forums suggest that if you're questioning when to buy a cold wallet, you may need one already. One poster emphasized, "If that amount vanished tomorrow, would it hurt? If yes, get it off the exchange. Simple." For many, this translates to a broader mindset: once the holdings are worth more than the cost of a cold wallet, itโ€™s time for a purchase.

Trezor vs. Ledger: A Hot Debate

Users are increasingly comparing the Trezor Safe 3 to the Ledger Nano S Plus. Both are considered solid, but users express varying degrees of preference. Trezorโ€™s open-source nature offers peace of mind for some, with one commenter stating, "Trezor being open source gives some peace of mind if you care about transparency.โ€ Conversely, skepticism towards Ledger is evident, driven by its closed-source model and past security breaches, including a noted data leak in 2018. One critic remarked, "I wouldnโ€™t trust Ledger after their history.โ€

Exploring Alternative Storage Strategies

Interestingly, not everyone views cold wallets as the only solution. Some users advocate for simpler methods like paper wallets, arguing, "I still use paper wallets; canโ€™t hack a piece of paper that was created properly.โ€ Additionally, newcomers to hardware wallets are encouraged to consider options like Bitkey and Bitbox 02 nova, which have gained popularity for their security and compatibility.

Essential Insights from the Community

  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ Many users agree that buying a cold wallet is essential once holdings exceed $1,000.

  • ๐Ÿ”’ Trezor's open-source transparency contrasts with Ledgerโ€™s controversial closed-source approach.

  • ๐Ÿ“ Some advocate for testing wallets with small amounts to avoid panic later.

  • โš ๏ธ Write down your seed phrase and store it securelyโ€”donโ€™t rely on digital notes.

The push for reliable security solutions highlights an increasing need for crypto holders to adapt in todayโ€™s market. As they reassess their storage strategies, the demand for hardware wallets is likely to grow, particularly as more people reach significant holdings.