A hardware wallet is a physical device used to securely store cryptocurrencies. It is designed to keep the private keys of your crypto assets offline, protecting them from hacks, malware, or online threats. Unlike software wallets (which are connected to the internet), hardware wallets are considered more secure because they remain disconnected from the web unless plugged into a computer or mobile device for transactions.

When you want to send or receive cryptocurrency, the hardware wallet signs transactions with your private keys without exposing them to the internet. Popular hardware wallets include devices like Ledger Nano S, Ledger Nano X, and Trezor. They often come with security features like PINs and recovery phrases to prevent unauthorized access.