Crypto.com offers two distinct types of crypto wallets depending on whether you want the company to manage your security or you want total control over your funds. You can choose between the custodial wallet built into the main App for easy trading or the standalone, non-custodial DeFi Wallet for decentralized finance and long-term storage.
As the digital asset market continues to expand, reaching an estimated 741 million global owners in 2025, choosing the right storage method has become a primary concern for US consumers. This guide breaks down the differences between Crypto.com’s storage solutions to help you decide which fits your security needs and technical comfort level.
Key Takeaways
- Dual System: Crypto.com provides two distinct wallets: the custodial App Wallet and the non-custodial DeFi Wallet.
- Custody Matters: In the App Wallet, Crypto.com manages your private keys; in the DeFi Wallet, you have full control over your recovery phrase.
- Functionality: The App Wallet is best for quick trading and using the Crypto.com Visa Card, while the DeFi Wallet is built for decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFTs.
- Connectivity: Users can link both wallets to easily transfer assets between the exchange environment and on-chain storage.
Does Crypto.com Have a Native Crypto Wallet?
Crypto.com has a native ecosystem featuring two different wallet solutions: a custodial app for beginners and a non-custodial wallet for advanced users. This dual-pronged approach helps the platform serve over 100 million customers with varying technical needs by offering a comprehensive ecosystem for digital assets.
The ecosystem is also built with regulatory compliance in mind. As of early 2026, Crypto.com has secured the MiCA license in Europe and maintains a suite of U.S. CFTC derivatives licenses.
This regulatory foundation supports both its centralized exchange and its decentralized wallet offerings, providing a layer of institutional-grade oversight to the platform's infrastructure.
What Is the Crypto.com App Wallet?
The App Wallet is the default, custodial storage option integrated directly into the main Crypto.com application. It functions similarly to a traditional brokerage account, where the platform manages your private keys so you don't have to worry about losing access to your funds.
This setup is common for many online brokers for beginners.
- Ease of Use: This wallet is designed for convenience, allowing for instant trading, easy deposits from a bank account, and seamless spending.
- Ecosystem Integration: The App Wallet is the engine behind the Crypto.com Visa Card, which saw a 16% year-over-year spending increase per user in 2024.
- Security Responsibility: Because it is custodial, the burden of “losing your keys” is removed. If you lose your password, you can go through a standard identity verification process to regain access to your account.
How Does the Crypto.com DeFi Wallet Work?
The Crypto.com Onchain Wallet (formerly known as the DeFi Wallet) is a separate application that functions as a non-custodial wallet. In this environment, you are the only one with access to your private keys and recovery phrase.
This follows the popular crypto maxim: “not your keys, not your crypto.”
As Crypto.com explains, the DeFi Wallet is designed to give users complete autonomy. It supports thousands of tokens across multiple blockchains and provides a gateway to decentralized applications (dApps).
This is where you go to stake your crypto for rewards, swap tokens via decentralized exchanges, or manage NFT collections.
Is the Crypto.com Wallet Non-Custodial or Custodial?
Whether the wallet is custodial or non-custodial depends on which specific Crypto.com application you choose to use. The main App is custodial, while the DeFi Wallet is strictly non-custodial, giving you full ownership of your assets.
- Custodial (App Wallet): Best for users who want the platform to handle security, insurance, and recovery. It is ideal for active traders and those who use crypto for daily purchases.
- Non-Custodial (DeFi Wallet): Best for users who want to be their own bank. It offers higher privacy and direct access to blockchain protocols but requires you to safely store a 12 or 24-word recovery phrase.
How Do the Two Wallets Compare?
The main difference between the two wallets is who controls the private keys: Crypto.com manages them in the App, while you hold them in the DeFi Wallet. This distinction affects everything from transaction speeds to the specific fees you will pay for moving assets.
While the App Wallet is part of a centralized exchange ecosystem, its performance and costs are often compared to other major players in the US market.
| Exchange | Spot Trading Fees | Supported Coins | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crypto.com | 0.075%
For both maker and taker orders. The more you trade, the lower the fees - can decrease to as low as 0% - 0.050%. Holding and staking CRO tokens, Crypto.com native token, unlocks additional fee discounts. |
+350 | Read Review |
| Coinbase | $0.99 - 2.00% (Standard), 0.05% - 0.60% (Advanced Trade)
For transactions above $200 (standard account): 1.49% fee for using a bank account or USD wallet, 3.99% fee for using a debit or credit card. For Coinbase Advanced Trade: 0.60% for taker trades and 0.40% for maker trades. The more you trade, the lower the fees - can decrease to as low as 0% - 0.05%. |
+250 | Read Review |
| Kraken | 0.40% - 0.25%
0.40% for taker trades and 0.25% for maker trades. The more you trade, the lower the fees - can decrease to as low as 0% - 0.10%. Using GT tokens to pay trading fees offers a 10% discount |
+300 | Read Review |
| Gemini | $0.99 - 1.49% (Web & Mobile), 0.20% - 0.40% (Active Trader)
For Gemini’s website or mobile app users are charged 0.50% convenience fee For Active Trader, 0.40% for taker trades and 0.20% for maker trades. The more you trade, the lower the fees - can decrease to as low as 0% - 0.03%. |
+150 | Read Review |
- Private Key Control: Crypto.com manages keys for the App Wallet; you manage keys for the DeFi Wallet.
- Speed: App Wallet transfers are often internal and instant; DeFi Wallet transfers rely on blockchain network speeds.
- Fees: The App Wallet uses exchange-based fee structures; the DeFi Wallet requires “gas fees” paid to the network for every transaction.
- Utility: The App is for spending and fiat-to-crypto on-ramps; the DeFi Wallet is for earning yield and interacting with Web3.
What Are the Security Features for These Wallets?
Both wallets use multi-layered security including biometric authentication and two-factor authentication (2FA), though the DeFi Wallet adds the option for hardware wallet integration. While the App Wallet relies on institutional-grade cold storage, the DeFi Wallet shifts the primary security responsibility to you and your recovery phrase.
What actually matters here is that you understand how to use a crypto wallet correctly to avoid common phishing scams.
For those using the DeFi Wallet, there is an additional layer of protection available through Ledger hardware wallet integration. This allows you to keep your assets in “cold storage,” meaning the private keys never touch the internet, while still using the DeFi Wallet interface to manage your portfolio.
In practice, the trade-off is higher security for slightly less convenience when you want to move funds quickly.
How Do You Transfer Crypto Between Wallets?
You can transfer crypto between wallets by linking your DeFi Wallet to your main Crypto.com App account within the settings menu. This connection allows for streamlined movements, though you will still need to pay network gas fees for on-chain transfers to the DeFi side.
Once linked, you can move assets back and forth with a few taps. For example, you might buy Bitcoin on the App using a bank transfer and then immediately move it to your DeFi Wallet for long-term storage.
Conversely, you might move earned rewards from the DeFi ecosystem back to the App to load onto your Visa Card for spending.
How Do You Set Up a Crypto.com DeFi Wallet?
To set up the DeFi Wallet, you must download the standalone app and generate a new recovery phrase that you store safely offline. While the main App setup involves standard identity verification, the DeFi process is purely technical and places the burden of backup entirely on you.
- Download the App: Install the “Crypto.com DeFi Wallet” from the official App Store or Google Play Store.
- Create Your Wallet: Select “Create a new wallet” and set a secure passcode for the device.
- Backup Your Recovery Phrase: Write down the 12, 18, or 24-word phrase on paper and store it in a secure, offline location.
- Connect Accounts: Optionally link your Crypto.com App account to enable easy transfers between the two platforms.
The Bottom Line
Crypto.com offers two distinct wallet experiences to suit different investor needs. The custodial App Wallet provides a user-friendly, high-convenience experience integrated with a Visa debit card, while the DeFi Wallet offers full on-chain control for those who want to manage their own private keys.
For many US consumers, the best strategy involves using both: the App for buying and spending, and the DeFi Wallet for long-term storage and decentralized finance.
