The DeFi landscape has fractured across chains — Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Solana, Base, and more. A single-chain wallet no longer cuts it. You need a multi-chain wallet that balances security, asset diversity, and dApp connectivity without compromising on any front.
The question is: which wallet belongs in your stack? The answer depends on where you sit on the security-convenience spectrum. We've tested the three wallets that define the extremes — and the sweet spots — of that spectrum.
Hot vs. Cold Storage: The Multi-Chain Tradeoff
Before we dive into picks, a quick framing. Multi-chain wallets generally fall into two camps:
Hot wallets (software-based, always connected) offer seamless multi-chain dApp interaction — you can swap, stake, lend, and borrow across chains in seconds. The tradeoff: private keys live on an internet-connected device.
Cold wallets (hardware-based, offline signing) keep private keys isolated from the internet. Many modern hardware wallets now support multiple chains, but the friction of connecting a device for each transaction is real.
The best DeFi users don't pick one — they layer them. A hardware wallet for the bulk of your holdings, a hot wallet for active trading, and a multi-sig for shared or high-value treasuries.
The 3 Best Multi-Chain Crypto Wallets for DeFi
1. Safe — Best for Institutional-Grade Multi-Sig Security
Best for: DAOs, teams, and high-net-worth individuals managing significant DeFi positions.
Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) is the gold standard for multi-signature wallet security in DeFi. It requires M-of-N signatures to execute any transaction — meaning no single compromised key can drain funds. This is the wallet that powers the largest DAOs and treasuries in crypto.
Multi-chain reach: Safe is deployed on Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Gnosis Chain, Avalanche, BNB Chain, and more. You manage all chains from a single interface.
Why it wins for DeFi: Multi-sig isn't just for institutions. If you're running DeFi strategies with meaningful capital, requiring two hardware wallets to sign transactions is a massive security upgrade over a single seed phrase. Safe integrates directly with major DeFi protocols, so you can interact with dApps while keeping multi-sig protection.
The tradeoff: Setup complexity is higher, and every transaction requires coordination between signers. Not for casual trading.
Get Safe →
| Spec | Detail |
|---|
| Security | Multi-sig (M-of-N) |
| Chains | 10+ EVM chains |
| Key custody | Self-custody via signers |
| Best for | Whales, DAOs, teams |
2. Trezor — Best Cold Storage for Multi-Chain DeFi
Best for: Long-term holders who want hardware-grade security with multi-chain access.
Trezor (Model T and Safe 3) is the hardware wallet that takes multi-chain seriously. It supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, all major EVM chains, Solana, and dozens more through its Trezor Suite interface. For DeFi users, the Model T's touchscreen makes signing transactions on hardware feel natural.
Multi-chain reach: Trezor Suite supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, ERC-20 tokens, Solana, Polygon, and more. Connect to MetaMask or Rabby for dApp interaction — the hardware signs, the software connects.
Why it wins for DeFi: Your seed phrase never touches an internet-connected device. For DeFi users with significant holdings, this is non-negotiable. You can stake, swap, and lend while your keys stay in cold storage. Trezor's Shamir backup option adds an extra layer of redundancy.
The tradeoff: Hardware costs (~€79-€249), and you need the device physically present to sign. Not ideal for high-frequency trading.
Get Trezor →
| Spec | Detail |
|---|
| Security | Cold storage (hardware) |
| Chains | Bitcoin, EVM chains, Solana |
| Key custody | Self-custody (offline) |
| Best for | Long-term holders |
3. Coinbase Wallet — Best Beginner-Friendly Multi-Chain Wallet
Best for: New DeFi users who want a simple, secure entry point with broad multi-chain support.
Coinbase Wallet is a self-custody hot wallet that supports over 100,000 digital assets across Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Base, Solana, and more2. Unlike the Coinbase exchange, this is a non-custodial wallet — you control the private keys.
Multi-chain reach: Native support for Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Solana, and more. Built-in dApp browser for interacting with DeFi protocols directly from the mobile app.
Why it wins for DeFi: The UX is genuinely beginner-friendly. You can buy crypto with fiat, bridge assets between chains, swap tokens, and connect to dApps — all from one interface. The integration with Coinbase's educational resources helps newcomers understand what they're doing2.
The tradeoff: As a hot wallet, private keys are on your phone. Less secure than hardware or multi-sig for large holdings. Best used as an active trading wallet with limited balances.
Get Coinbase Wallet →
| Spec | Detail |
|---|
| Security | Hot wallet (mobile) |
| Chains | 10+ chains, 100k+ assets |
| Key custody | Self-custody (on device) |
| Best for | Beginners, active DeFi |
Which Multi-Chain Wallet Should You Choose?
The honest answer: probably more than one.
| Use Case | Recommended Wallet |
|---|
| DAOs & treasuries | Safe (multi-sig) |
| Large personal holdings | Trezor (cold storage) + Safe |
| Active DeFi trading | Coinbase Wallet (hot) |
| Just getting started | Coinbase Wallet |
| Maximum security | Safe (3-of-5 multi-sig with Trezor signers) |
The most security-conscious DeFi users we know run a layered setup: Trezor for long-term holdings, Coinbase Wallet for active positions, and Safe for shared treasuries or large strategy vaults. Each wallet serves a different point on the security-convenience curve.
Disclosure: As an affiliate partner, we may earn a commission when you purchase through our links. This doesn't affect our editorial recommendations — we test and recommend based on merit alone.
