Brave Wallet Review | Worth Downloading The Brave Browser?
Jack Moreau
Feb 2024
6 min to read
Fact checked
Introduction: In this review, we explore Brave Wallet, an open-source, non-custodial digital currency wallet designed for a multi-chain world. We'll be discussing the benefits and drawbacks of the wallet, plus its features so that readers can determine if it suits their crypto wallet needs!
In 2016, Brendan Eich, the co-founder of Mozilla and the creator of JavaScript launched the Brave Browser. Brave is an open-source browser built on the Chromium engine (the same as Chrome) but with added privacy and security features.
One of the main features of Brave is its built-in ad-blocking capabilities which improve page load speeds and block trackers and scripts that can compromise user privacy.
In 2021, Brave launched another important feature, the Brave Wallet. The wallet is built directly into the Brave browser which means that there is no additional extension to download.
Brave Wallet provides users with a platform to store, manage and buy multiple cryptocurrencies. Users can swap assets and participate in DeFi across EVM-based blockchains like Ethereum, Avalanche and Polygon and non-EVM chains like Solana.
Brave Supported Platforms
To get started with Brave Wallet, users must first have the Brave browser installed on either their desktop or mobile device. This integrated crypto wallet offers a seamless experience enabling users to buy, store, and manage their tokens, transact in NFTs, and gain insights from market data directly within the browser.
Setting up is straightforward, simply launch Brave, click on the wallet icon in the toolbar and follow the process to set a password and obtain a backup code.
Once set up, users can manage their Basic Attention Tokens (BAT), buy cryptos and NFTs with traditional payment methods like credit cards, or link to other external crypto wallets for enhanced web usage.
The Brave Wallet is quite basic overall with it's main benefit being the convenience offered to Brave users who don't have to download another wallet.
For those who rely on hardware wallets, Brave Wallet also offers compatibility with Ledger and Trezor. Importantly, Brave Wallet operates as a self-custody wallet, entrusting users with complete control over their private keys and assets.
Brave Wallet Features
In terms of functionality, the Brave wallet does not have too much to offer at the time of writing. Users can buy, send, swap and deposit tokens from multiple EVM-based blockchains like Ethereum and Avalanche and non-EVM blockchains like Solana.
Brave also offers support for NFTs and the ability to connect to dApps on the Solana network. Users can also easily import or create additional wallet accounts on the Ethereum, Solana and Filecoin blockchains. Brave also offers the option to import wallets from a hardware wallet like Ledger.
For users who wish to buy crypto with fiat, they have the option to buy directly in the wallet through either Coinbase Pay, Ramp Network, Sardine or Transak.
The supported payment methods with both these payment services are Zelle, CashApp, Venmo and Visa/MC. The lowest fee among these payments options begins a at 3.3% commission on the purchase amount.
The Brave wallet supports over 100 mainly EVM-based blockchain networks including Ethereum, Solana, Filecoin, Avalanche, Optimism and more. As such, users have access to the 1000s of different coins and tokens that reside on these blockchains.
This includes cryptocurrencies such as ETH, SOL, BNB, MATIC, AVAX, BAT, UNI, CHAIN, OP, ARB and many others.
Brave Wallet Customer Support
Brave offers customer support for Brave Wallet through its online ticketing system from Zendesk. Brave also provides FAQs and guides on how to use the wallet which answers questions about which chains are supported and other topics.
The Brave team is also responsive and helpful if you write to them on Twitter. CEO Brendan Eich is active on Twitter and often gets his hand dirty by helping out customers.
Is Brave Wallet Safe?
Brave Wallet which is seamlessly integrated into the Brave browser, inherently enhances security by ensuring users retain complete control over their private keys and funds, eliminating dependence on third-party intermediaries.
In addition to this, for those keen on using hardware wallets like Trezor and Ledger, Brave Wallet offers seamless connection.
Further demonstrating its commitment to transparency, the wallet is open-source, inviting anyone to inspect its code for potential vulnerabilities. Brave has also established a bug bounty program on HackerOne where white hackers can earn bounties for identifying vulnureilities.
What amplifies the wallet's resistance to cyber threats is its intrinsic integration with the Brave browser, significantly reducing its susceptibility to phishing attempts, counterfeit websites, and theft.
Author
Jack Moreau
Jack is a crypto writer and reviewer who has been active in the space since he caught the crypto bug in 2017. With a passion for trying out new shiny things, Jack is always eager to try the latest cryptocurrency exchanges, wallets or DeFi applications.