Resources

Wallets

Choosing a Cardano wallet depends on how you want to store ADA, use decentralized applications, stake, or delegate. In this guide we cover four options from the ecosystem: Daedalus, Eternl, Lace and GameChanger Wallet.

There's no single Cardano wallet that's right for everyone. Before choosing, it's worth comparing their architecture, available platforms, custody model, staking features, and compatibility with hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor.

What is a Cardano wallet?

Your ADA lives on the blockchain

A wallet isn't a box that physically holds your ADA. Your ADA stays recorded on the Cardano blockchain.

The wallet works as an interface to check your balance, receive and send ADA, manage other assets, sign transactions, and connect with decentralized applications.

The wallet manages your keys

In a self-custody wallet, private keys and the recovery phrase are what authorize operations.

Never share your seed phrase.
Never enter your keys on a support page.
Never send your PIN to anyone else.
Don't keep a photo of your seed phrase in the cloud.
Download the wallet only from its official site.

ChileStakePo never needs your seed phrase, private key or PIN.

What should you compare before choosing a wallet?

Full node vs. light wallet

A full-node wallet downloads and validates a complete copy of the Cardano blockchain. This can offer more independent verification, but requires more storage, sync time and device resources.

A light wallet queries remote nodes or services to display network information. It's usually faster to install and more practical for daily use, though it depends more heavily on the infrastructure it uses.

These categories describe technical models. They don't automatically mean one wallet is more or less secure than another.

Desktop, extension, mobile and web

Desktop: an application installed on Windows, macOS or Linux.
Extension: a wallet built into the browser to connect with DApps.
Mobile: an app for phones.
Web or PWA: access from the browser.
Hardware wallet: a physical device that keeps keys protected and signs operations.

Open source and public repositories

A project can have open-source code, public documentation, examples, specifications, or just some published components. The existence of a public repository doesn't necessarily mean the entire production product is available for review.

Cardano wallet comparison

Wallet	Type / focus	Suggested platforms	Code and repositories
Daedalus	Full node	Desktop	Described as an open-source project
Eternl	Light wallet	Mobile and browser extension	No official repository confirmed
Lace	Light wallet and Web3 platform	Extension and mobile	Official repository with a specific scope
GameChanger Wallet	Light, non-custodial web wallet	Mobile and desktop via web	Documentation, examples, specs and public components

Features can change across versions, apps, extensions and networks. Always verify current information before transferring funds or signing an operation.

Daedalus

Daedalus is officially presented as a full-node Cardano wallet.

It downloads a complete copy of the blockchain and validates transactions independently. This architecture may appeal to users who prefer to verify the network locally and accept a more demanding sync.

Daedalus is aimed at desktop computers, and its official site lists availability for Windows, macOS and Linux.

The official site and its public repository describe the project as open source.

Might suit you if: you prefer a full-node desktop wallet and value locally verifying the blockchain.

Official download: daedaluswallet.io/download/

Eternl

Eternl is presented as a light Cardano wallet aimed at multiple devices.

Official information reviewed shows a mobile app and a browser extension or connector, including browsers like Chrome, Edge, Brave and Opera.

Thanks to its light architecture, Eternl can be practical for users looking for frequent access from the browser or their phone without downloading the whole blockchain.

Might suit you if: you prioritize a light Cardano wallet for everyday use, browsing and connecting to decentralized applications.

We don't include a GitHub link because an official Eternl repository hasn't been confirmed. A third-party repository shouldn't be presented as official code.

Lace

Lace is presented as a light wallet platform for exploring Web3.

Its official sources mention features related to digital assets, NFTs, decentralized applications, DeFi services, and managing Cardano and Bitcoin assets in Lace Mobile.

There is also an official Lace repository. It's described as an open-source mirror with code snapshots of the extension, the mobile app and related packages.

It's more accurate to describe it as a public repository with published components and snapshots than to claim all of Lace's production code is available there.

Might suit you if: you're looking for a lightweight experience, mobile access, and connection to Web3 applications.

GameChanger Wallet

GameChanger Wallet is presented as a light, non-custodial web wallet for Cardano, available on mobile and desktop through a web app.

Its feature set includes connections with decentralized applications, URL and JSON links, wallet scripts, seed-phrase-based wallets, QR wallets, hardware wallet integration, and tools for users, educators and developers.

The official site describes delegation features for stake pools, DReps, multiple delegation destinations, and flows via links or QR codes.

Its public repository may contain documentation, examples, specifications and public components. This doesn't automatically mean all of GameChanger Wallet's production code is published or auditable.

Might suit you if: you're interested in a non-custodial web wallet, QR connections, decentralized applications, multiple delegation, or advanced Cardano features.

Before connecting a DApp, carefully review the domain, the permissions, and the operation you're authorizing.

Can you stake from a Cardano wallet?

Some wallets let you select a stake pool and delegate ADA directly from their own interface. Exact availability depends on the wallet, the network and the version in use.

Delegating doesn't transfer your ADA to the pool

In native Cardano delegation, you assign staking power to a pool through a transaction. The pool operator never receives your ADA or your private keys.

Your ADA stays associated with your wallet, and you keep authorizing all operations.

Delegating doesn't lock your ADA

Delegating isn't the same as sending your funds to a third party or depositing them into an account under someone else's custody. Under normal native-delegation conditions, you can keep using your ADA.

The operation may include a network fee and, depending on the case, a deposit defined by the protocol. Rewards are variable and not guaranteed.

How to delegate ADA from a wallet

Use the wallet and its official site.
Find the correct ticker or pool ID.
Verify the data on an independent explorer.
Check the margin, fixed cost and other pool parameters.
Carefully review the transaction.
Never share your seed phrase.

To learn the delegation process at ChileStakePo, see the guide to delegating to CHIL.

Ledger and other Cardano hardware wallets

A hardware wallet keeps private keys on a separate device and requires physical confirmation to sign certain operations.

It can help reduce key exposure to a compromised browser or computer, but it doesn't replace good practices:

Verify addresses.
Check amounts.
Review permissions.
Confirm the domain.
Don't sign operations you don't understand.

Compatibility between Ledger, Trezor and a given wallet can change. Always confirm it in both parties' official documentation.

How to protect your Cardano wallet

Protect your seed phrase

Never share your recovery phrase with ChileStakePo, a stake pool operator, technical support, Discord/Telegram/X admins, or a page that asks you to "sync" your wallet.

Download from official sites

Avoid links sent via private messages, suspicious ads, and domains that mimic the originals.

Watch out for phishing

Before signing an operation:

Check the domain.
Review the destination address.
Read the permissions the DApp is requesting.
Don't sign messages you don't understand.
Be wary of prizes, airdrops and urgent rewards.
Test with a small amount when appropriate.

Which Cardano wallet might suit you?

You want to verify the blockchain locally: Daedalus may suit you if you accept the requirements of a full node.
You prioritize a light wallet for browser or mobile: Eternl may be an option, subject to verifying its current features.
You're after a light, mobile Web3 experience: check out Lace and its available platforms.
You're interested in a non-custodial, DApp-oriented web wallet: GameChanger Wallet takes that approach.
You want to use a Ledger or Trezor: confirm compatibility between the hardware wallet and your chosen app.

There's no universally best wallet. The decision depends on the device you use, the architecture you prefer, the custody model, the features you need, and current compatibility.

Next step: learn to delegate

Once you have ADA in your own wallet, you can learn how to delegate ADA from a wallet without transferring custody to the pool operator.

How to delegate to CHIL, step by step