What Is a Burner Wallet (and When to Use One)

One of the simplest ways to stay safe in crypto is to never connect your main wallet to anything risky. That's what a “burner” wallet is for.

What a burner wallet is

A separate wallet holding only a small amount of funds, used specifically for risky or unknown activity — new dApps, mints, airdrop claims, or any site you don't fully trust. If it gets drained, your real holdings are untouched.

When to use one

• Claiming an airdrop or interacting with a token you don't know.
• Trying a brand-new or unaudited dApp.
• Minting from a project you're still evaluating.
• Connecting to any site you reached from a link.

How to use it well

• Keep only what you're willing to lose in it.
• Don't reuse it for sensitive activity.
• Revoke its approvals periodically — or just abandon it.
• Never store your main seed phrase or large funds there.

Reduce the risk further

Even a burner is better protected when you research first. ChainInspector Suite lets you check a token or project before you connect any wallet at all.