Published 1 day ago • 7 minute read

3 Non-Custodial Wallets to Watch as the Crypto Boom Continues in 2025

With Bitcoin breaking through a new, previously unthinkable all-time high of $108,135 on December 17, 2024—and even though it has retreated to current levels since then—it is clear that no ceilings are shatterproof. The original cryptocurrency’s outstanding performance has been bolstered by the increased involvement of institutional investors, who have injected massive amounts of capital into the market through spot Bitcoin ETFs. 

The spot Bitcoin ETFs, launched in the U.S. on January 11, 2024, have so far attracted $61.01 billion in investments across 36 funds. For comparison, gold ETFs, a conventional safe-haven asset, have a total asset base of $138.36 billion. Given this trajectory, it's perfectly conceivable that Bitcoin could soon surpass gold in popularity among institutional investors. 

Against this background, crypto products and technologies driving the growth and accessibility of digital assets are becoming all the more important. Among these, non-custodial wallets are particularly highlighted for empowering users to maintain full control over their cryptocurrencies. Here are three non-custodial wallets to watch as the demand for secure, user-friendly, and feature-rich solutions rises with the crypto boom extending into 2025.

NOW Wallet 

While there are many wallets on the market, NOW Wallet users claim it puts the rest in the shade by offering private key control, fast and responsive customer support, and being replete with functionality, such as quick exchanges and fiat-to-crypto options. Powered by the instant and non-custodial crypto exchange platform ChangeNOW, with years of experience under its belt, the team behind the wallet seems to understand what the average user needs.

Source: Trustpilot 

Key Features

  • Intuitive interface: NOW Wallet developers have effectively bridged the gap between crypto products and traditional UX, a crucial factor to continue driving crypto adoption in 2025. Users with existing wallets can easily import their balances and data from other wallets into NOW Wallet by simply using their mnemonic phrase. Also, synchronizing their wallets between various devices takes a few easy steps.  

NOW Wallet UI

  • Wide Cryptocurrency Selection: NOW Wallet boasts one of the broadest selections of supported cryptocurrencies, with over 70 blockchains and 1,500+ tokens. This includes top market cap assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), privacy-focused coins like Monero (XMR) and Zcash (ZEC), among others, as well as the option to add custom tokens on supported EVM-compatible blockchains and the Tron (TRX) network.

  • Security: NOW Wallet prioritizes user protection with a robust three-tier encryption system designed to secure private keys and mnemonic phrases. It uses cutting-edge biometric tech, including Face ID and Touch ID, to safeguard transactions, with a secure PIN verification process also being in place.

  • Built-in Exchange Functionality: Powered by ChangeNOW, the wallet features an integrated exchange function that enables fast, transparent, and not far from limitless cross-chain swaps.

  • Fiat-to-Crypto Options: Users can buy or sell cryptocurrencies using over 60 fiat currencies, including popular ones like USD, EUR, and GBP, as well as less commonly supported currencies such as the Albanian Lek (ALL), Armenian Dram (AMD), and Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Supported payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and bank transfers.

  • Support for NFTs: NOW Wallet provides comprehensive support for NFTs, allowing users to send and receive Ethereum-based NFTs built on the ERC-721 and ERC-1155 standards. The wallet also supports Solana-based NFTs, and Binance network NFT compatibility is coming soon. Through WalletConnect, users can access NFT marketplaces for buying and selling.

  • Staking Options: The wallet features an integrated staking option, supporting popular tokens from blockchains that use the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, including Tron (TRX), BNB (BNB), Solana (SOL), Cosmos (ATOM), Cardano (ADA), Tezos (XTZ), and NOW Token (NOW), native to the NOW ecosystem. This allows users to earn passive income directly within the app.

  • Additional Features and Services: NOW Wallet offers advanced settings like account nonce adjustments for ETH transactions, as well as cross-platform compatibility across desktop (macOS, Windows, Linux) and mobile apps (App Store, Google Play), all backed by responsive customer support with a 99% user error resolution rate. Pro features, packed in both free and paid plans, enhance the UX even further, offering cashback on exchange transactions, AML address checks, unlimited crypto loans, and private web pages for receiving funds. 

  • Business-Centric Features: NOW Wallet supports enterprises with a mix of robust standard and custom-built solutions. These include secure storage and management of cryptocurrencies, fast and effortless crypto deposits, collaborative marketing activities, customizable solutions tailored to meet specific business objectives, and an in-app point-of-sale (POS) feature for the seamless acceptance of cryptocurrency payments.

Limitations

While NOW Wallet offers an impressive breadth of functionality, the upcoming Binance network NFT support, though promising, is still in development, which may leave some users waiting for this anticipated feature. Additionally, the absence of a web-based version may be a drawback for users who prefer managing their crypto assets directly through a browser.

Coinbase Wallet 

Another popular self-custodial ewallet, Coinbase Wallet, built by Coinbase, one of the most trusted exchanges in the crypto industry (as voted in a 2022 YouGov survey conducted in the UK, Germany, India, and the US). It provides an interface for managing crypto and NFTs while enabling users to embrace the decentralized web. 

Source: Google Play 

Key Features

  • Multi-Currency and Multi-Network Support: The wallet team claims it supports “hundreds of thousands of tokens and dApps”, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Dogecoin, and every ERC-20 token. It is also compatible with Ethereum Layer-2 networks such as Optimism and Base.

  • NFT Support: Users can safely store and manage their Ethereum, Base, Optimism, Polygon, and Solana NFTs right in the wallet. 

  • Explore the Decentralized Web: Coinbase Wallet serves as a user passport to the world of Web3, allowing them to access decentralized apps (dApps), join DAOs, and explore decentralized exchanges (DEXs). Whether they’re providing liquidity in DeFi, earning yield, or collecting NFTs, the wallet makes navigating the decentralized web easier.

  • Enhanced Security: With multiple layers of security, including biometrics, passwords and security locks, the wallet ensures users’ digital assets are safe.  

  • Seamless Integration Across Devices: Coinbase Wallet is available on mobile and desktop browsers, ensuring accessibility to users.

  • Built-in DApp Browser: The wallet features an integrated dApp browser, allowing users to explore Web3 projects without leaving the app.

  • Support for Ledger: The wallet’s browser extension is compatible with Ledger hardware wallets, offering an additional layer of security for users seeking enhanced non-custodial storage.

 

Coinbase Wallet UI

Limitations

Newcomers to self-custody might find Coinbase Wallet overwhelming due to the level of setup and knowledge required to get started. As one user puts it: “Can't even understand how to use it.” Another common concern among users is the cumbersome process of transferring funds between Coinbase Wallet and Coinbase accounts, with frequent roadblocks reported when attempting to send, swap, or withdraw assets. Customer support is another point of criticism, often relying on an AI chat system instead of real human assistance, which falls short in addressing more complex issues.

Exodus Wallet 

Exodus Wallet is a popular choice for crypto enthusiasts seeking a user-friendly interface and extensive multi-platform support, on top of self-custody.

Exodus Wallet UI

Key Features 

  • 100,000+ Crypto Assets Supported: Exodus supports thousands of cryptocurrencies and tokens across more than 50 blockchain networks, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Monero (XMR), Binance Coin (BNB), Tether USD (USDT), and Zcash (ZEC). Users can send and receive any supported asset via an address or QR code, with Exodus automatically checking all addresses for errors.

  • In-Built Swapping: Designed with beginners in mind, Exodus features a built-in swap function, allowing users to exchange one cryptocurrency for another without requiring registration or verification. 

  • Staking Rewards: Users can earn rewards by staking assets such as Algorand (ALGO), Cardano (ADA), Cosmos (ATOM), Tezos (XTZ), and VeChain (VET), among others. With auto-restaking enabled, rewards are compounded automatically to grow portfolios over time.

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile (iOS and Android), Exodus also includes a Web3 browser extension for Chrome and Brave, enabling users to interact with dApps and DeFi platforms across networks like Ethereum, Solana, and Arbitrum.

  • Fiat On-Ramp: Users can start their crypto journey by purchasing digital assets with fiat currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, and more. 

  • 24/7 Support: Exodus provides 24/7 human support and an online help desk to address user queries quickly and efficiently, ensuring a smooth experience.

  • NYSE Listing: Exodus is one of the few wallets that also allows users to invest in its company stock, $EXOD, listed on the NYSE American exchange.

  • Trezor Integration: Advanced security is made simple with Trezor hardware wallet support, allowing users to combine the security of cold storage with Exodus’ user-friendly interface.

Limitations

Even though Exodus Wallet checks many boxes, user feedback reveals some unresolved concerns. Among them are high swap fees: many users have expressed dissatisfaction with the wallet's high fees for swapping cryptocurrencies. For example, one user remarked, "Exodus wants to take about $100 in exchange for me to swap crypto to cash… I would understand a dollar or two, but $100 in lost gains is pretty insane for a simple transaction."

Also, as noted by some users, the minimum token requirements for swaps can be a disadvantage, especially for those with smaller portfolios. 

Source: Google Play 

The impossibility to add custom networks has also been flagged as a significant drawback, with one user stating, "The inability to add custom networks is definitely a huge downside." Additionally, some users feel that the user interface appears slightly outdated.

Closing Thoughts 

From NOW Wallet, which offers extensive support for digital assets and fiat currencies, an intuitive design, responsive customer service, and business-oriented features, to Coinbase Wallet, which integrates seamlessly with the decentralized web while emphasizing NFT management, each wallet caters to unique user needs. Meanwhile, Exodus Wallet combines user-friendliness with robust functionality, including auto-restaking rewards. Overall, non-custodial crypto wallets are stepping up with function-packed toolkits for everyday users, seamless platform integration, and solutions tailored to the needs of large-scale enterprises—everything crypto enthusiasts and businesses need to thrive in 2025.






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