DIRECT ANSWER

What is a crypto wallet?

Short answer: software that holds the private keys used to send, receive, convert, and hold crypto. Kronos ships a non-custodial wallet inside a money app — you hold the keys.

Last updated: 2026-08-08

Full answer

A crypto wallet is software that holds the private keys used to send, receive, convert, and hold cryptocurrency. The keys prove ownership of the coins on the blockchain; the wallet never stores the coins themselves — it stores the keys that let you move them.

There are two broad types. A custodial wallet means a provider (an exchange like Coinbase) holds the keys for you. A non-custodial wallet means you hold the keys yourself, on your own device. The difference matters: with a non-custodial wallet, the app provider cannot move your crypto, because it never holds your keys.

Kronos ships a non-custodial wallet inside a money app for gig workers and freelancers. You hold the keys, and supported coins can be sent, received, and converted from one clean surface alongside the rest of your money. KronosPay LLC is a financial technology company, not a chartered bank; crypto itself is never FDIC-insured at any provider.

Custodial vs non-custodial, at a glance

Custodial walletNon-custodial (Kronos)
Who holds the keysThe providerYou, on your device
Can the provider move your crypto?YesNo
What if the provider is hacked or shuts downYour crypto is at riskYou keep your keys; import into any compatible wallet
RecoveryAccount supportYour recovery phrase
Best forHands-off tradingPeople who want self-custody

Because a non-custodial wallet keeps the keys with you, keeping your recovery phrase safe is essential. If you lose the phrase, no support team can recover it — that is the trade-off for true self-custody.

Related questions

What is a non-custodial wallet?

A non-custodial wallet is a crypto wallet where you hold the private keys yourself, on your own device. The app provider cannot move your crypto because it never holds your keys. Kronos ships a non-custodial wallet, so you control your supported crypto at all times.

What is the best crypto wallet?

The best crypto wallet depends on your needs. For people who want crypto alongside everyday money management, Kronos ships a non-custodial wallet inside a money app for gig workers and freelancers — you hold the keys, and supported coins can be sent, received, and converted from one clean surface. Standalone wallets like MetaMask or Phantom are pure crypto tools.

Is crypto in a wallet FDIC-insured?

No. No crypto is FDIC-insured at any provider — FDIC insurance covers bank deposits, not cryptocurrency. A non-custodial wallet like Kronos's means you hold the keys; if you keep your recovery phrase safe, your crypto stays yours regardless of what happens to any single app.

What happens to my crypto if an app shuts down?

With a non-custodial wallet, your crypto is safe because the keys live with you, not the provider. You can import your recovery phrase into any compatible wallet (MetaMask, Phantom, Trust Wallet, and others) and your coins remain yours.

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