Guarda Wallet Review: Non-Custodial and Multicurrency

The significance of possessing an off-exchange crypto wallet is crucial for security and autonomy.

While centralized exchange wallets provide ease of use for trading activities, they are plagued with several risks including potential hacks, security breaches, and possible restrictions on user accounts. Such vulnerabilities may lead to severe losses of both funds and personal information.

In contrast, off-exchange crypto wallets like Guarda Wallet offer a robust and secure option. Guarda Wallet, an open-source, multiplatform, non-custodial software wallet, allows individuals to manage their digital assets without the fear of third-party intrusions. Users hold complete control over their private keys and assets, substantially reducing the risks associated with hacking and unauthorized access. This ensures a safer environment for trading, storing, and managing a diverse range of digital currencies.

For those prioritizing security along with the flexibility to buy, trade, store, and earn various digital currencies, Guarda Wallet stands out as a solid choice. This review elaborates on the features provided by Guarda Wallet and its advantages over similar offerings in the market, highlighting its appeal to security-conscious users.

What is Guarda Wallet?

Guarda Wallet, launched in 2017, epitomizes security and flexibility in the realm of cryptocurrency management. This non-custodial, multicurrency wallet supports a vast array of over 350,000 digital assets across more than 30 blockchain networks, catering to both mobile and desktop users. Designed with a focus on privacy and security, Guarda does not store any private keys, passwords, or personal data, ensuring that users maintain full control over their funds.

The wallet enables direct interaction with blockchain networks, generating public and private keys locally within the user's device, which safeguards against third-party breaches. Essential features include the ability to send and receive cryptocurrencies, track transaction history, and utilize built-in exchange services for seamless asset swaps. Moreover, Guarda offers opportunities for purchasing cryptocurrencies with fiat, engaging in staking activities, and even connecting to dedicated offline storage devices like the Ledger Nano X and S Plus for enhanced security.

With its user-friendly design and comprehensive functionality, Guarda Wallet stands out as a prime choice for both novice and seasoned crypto investors who prioritize security and the convenience of managing all their crypto assets in one robust platform.

Pros:

Supports integration with Ledger hardware wallets, enhancing security.
Offers support for over 400,000 cryptocurrencies across various blockchains.
Enables users to stake select cryptocurrencies directly within the wallet.
Provides the convenience of trading different coins and tokens from within the wallet software.
Includes a prepaid Visa card for easy access to spending cryptocurrencies.
Allows users to purchase more cryptocurrency directly using fiat currencies like dollars or euros.
Consolidates multiple crypto assets in one accessible location.

Cons:

The prepaid Visa card is limited to select regions in Europe, restricting its accessibility.
As a software wallet, it inherently carries a lesser degree of security compared to dedicated hardware wallets.
Guarda Wallet operates as a light wallet, meaning it does not run full blockchain nodes, which can limit some functionalities.
Higher transaction fees are noted when purchasing cryptocurrencies through the Simplex integration.
Lacks support for other hardware wallets like TREZOR or KeepKey, potentially limiting options for users with those devices.

The Key Features of Guarda Wallet

Token Creation with Guarda

Guarda Wallet offers a Token Creator tool that simplifies the process of generating ERC-20 tokens, fully compatible with the Ethereum blockchain. This user-friendly feature allows individuals to name their token, define the total supply, and deploy the contract effortlessly. Guarda ensures that all smart contracts are secure and meet ERC-20 standards, providing users with continuous technical support and audit readiness. Although there is a service fee payable in various cryptocurrencies (converted to ETH), the convenience and security offered make it a valuable tool for those looking to enter the token market. Newly created tokens can be listed on decentralized exchanges like Uniswap to integrate into the broader DeFi ecosystem.

Staking Opportunities in Guarda Wallet

Guarda Wallet enables staking for 14 different crypto assets, including popular options like Ethereum, Cardano, and Tron. Users can enjoy varying annual percentage yields (APY) depending on the asset:

Ethereum: 3% APY (Available on Web, Desktop, Mobile)
Cardano: 5% APY (Available on Web, Desktop)
Tron: 3.58% APY (Available on Web, Desktop, Mobile)
Additional assets include Qtum, Ontology, Harmony, and others with APYs ranging up to 25%.

This staking feature is accessible across multiple platforms, providing a flexible way for users to earn passive income from their crypto holdings.

Crypto Loans by Guarda

Guarda also offers a crypto-backed loan service, allowing users to borrow stablecoins and other cryptocurrencies using their digital assets as collateral. The process is streamlined and efficient, with loans typically approved within 15 minutes and funds released shortly thereafter. Interest rates vary from 12% to 17% APR, offering competitive terms for borrowers. This service enables users to access liquidity without needing to sell their assets, useful for various financial strategies or immediate cash needs.

Guarda's commitment to transparency is evident in their straightforward 10% service fee and the assurance that collateral is securely handled, with automatic liquidation processes in place to protect both the borrower and the platform.

Guarda Wallet Fees

Guarda Wallet is a free-to-use platform, but there are specific fees associated with various actions to be aware of:

Transfers: Users are not charged by Guarda for transferring funds; however, they must cover the network fees imposed by the blockchain. These fees are necessary for processing transactions on the network.

Exchanges: When exchanging cryptocurrencies, Guarda integrates a fee of about 0.5% per transaction, determined by its exchange partners. This fee, along with any applicable network fees, is incorporated into the exchange rate shown to users, ensuring transparency.

Purchases: For buying cryptocurrencies, whether from fiat-to-crypto or crypto-to-fiat, fees can vary. Generally, these start at 2% and may decrease depending on the transaction volume. This is arranged by Guarda's financial partners who facilitate these transactions.

Additional Fees: While acquiring and using the wallet itself incurs no costs, purchasing crypto directly through the platform can attract a standard fee of 5.5%. Guarda also offers customizable transaction fees, allowing users to choose between paying more for faster processing or saving money with slower transaction times. Credit card purchases are possible, but come with an added fee for the convenience. Furthermore, significant fees like Bitcoin mining fees, which can go as high as $15, are also applicable depending on the transaction.

Is Guarda Wallet safe to use?

Guarda Wallet is renowned for its robust security measures, making it a highly secure option for managing cryptocurrency assets. The wallet offers two primary security advantages:

Hardware Wallet Integration: Guarda supports integration with Ledger hardware devices, which significantly enhances security. By using a Ledger with Guarda, your private keys remain secured on the hardware device rather than on your computer or on Guarda’s servers. This setup minimizes the risk of unauthorized access to your funds, as attackers would find it exceedingly difficult to compromise your private keys.

Non-Custodial Privacy: Guarda is a non-custodial wallet, meaning it does not require personal information for account setup, nor does it store private keys on its servers. This approach ensures that users maintain complete control over their funds and personal data, reducing the chances of identity theft and hacking. The wallet’s design also ensures that users can manage their crypto assets without compromising their anonymity.

However, it is important to note that Guarda operates as a light wallet. This means it does not fully verify all the rules of the various cryptocurrency networks it supports, relying instead on external services. While this setup allows for faster and lighter operations, it does imply a slight compromise in the trust-less model that cryptocurrencies originally intended to offer.

Overall, Guarda Wallet's combination of hardware wallet compatibility, non-custodial operation, and rigorous security protocols make it a solid choice for users who prioritize security and control over their digital assets.