Your key to the world of crypto
MyEtherWallet (MEW钱包) is a non-custodial, open-source, client-side interface that allows users to interact directly with the Ethereum blockchain, staying in full control of their crypto assets. MEW is available as a web wallet, MEW wallet app for iOS and Android, and a browser wallet extension Enkrypt.
Create your own unique Ethereum wallet.
Send and receive ETH and tokens.
Access on MEW web with a variety of wallet types, including our MEW wallet mobile app, our browser extension Enkrypt, the MetaMask Chrome extension, and partnering hardware wallets.
Swap different cryptocurrencies including ERC20 tokens, ETH, ETC, BTC, and more!
Explore our DApp store where you can earn use DeFi, stake on Ethereum 2.0, register ENS domains, and more.
Send offline through the use of our Offline Helper.
Deploy and interact with smart contracts.
Access a wealth of educational material from our Knowledge Base.
All ETH and tokens are stored on the Ethereum blockchain.
When using any site, exchange, hardware wallet, or interface based on the blockchain, all crypto is stored on the blockchain itself. These platforms and hardware wallets just allow us to interact with the blockchain in a simplified way.
The Ethereum blockchain is not owned or controlled by a centralized entity, but is verified and maintained by thousands of remote validators that are run by individuals and organizations.
This is why our site, and block explorers like Etherscan and EthVM, are able to pull your wallet information. Not because of behind-the-scenes servers, but because they are pulling information from the blockchain itself.
MEW is NOT a bank or exchange.
What does that mean?
We cannot cancel, reverse, or refund transactions.
We cannot recover phished funds.
We cannot recover lost passwords, nor can we reset passwords.
We do not store names, emails, or any personal information about our users.
The only one who has access to your funds is you.
How do I remain secure?
The most secure way to access your funds is through a hardware wallet, like a Ledger Nano S or Trezor. If you have over $200 in crypto, there is little excuse not to get one.
Download our fully-fledged mobile app MEW wallet. It’s simple, fast, and secure.
Use our multi-chain browser extension wallet Enkrypt.
Follow our educational blogs MEWtopia and Enkrypt Blog for the latest on MEW and Ethereum.
When using a private key, keystore/JSON file, or mnemonic phrase, make sure to keep them solely on physical paper and offline computers. This information is extremely sensitive. And make backups! If you lose this information, it’s gone forever.
Always check the URL you are using to make sure it says www.myetherwallet.com. And bookmark us for future use!
Make sure the URL bar shows a secure padlock on the left. If you click it, you should see “Certificate (Valid) Issued to: MyEtherWallet Inc [US]”.
Install an extension like EAL or PhishFort to get alerts for malicious addresses and websites.
Do not trust any messages sent to you randomly from ‘our team’. We do not have your information, and they are likely trying to scam you. We never email or DM our users first.
Consider installing an ad blocker and do not click on any ads you see on your search engine.
Do your research! If something seems fishy to you, it’s likely been talked about by the community.
Your ETH & tokens are on the Ethereum blockchain, regardless of what service you use to access them. When you move them, you are sending them from one address on the blockchain to another. These are lines of code. Your wallet file, hardware wallet, the interface you interact with, or your private key do not have funds in them. These are ways of access, which give you the ability to prove ownership over digital coins that are on the blockchain itself.
If you use a client-side tool like MyEtherWallet or Mist, Metamask, Exodus, or Jaxx, then you have the private key (or a similar method of access), and you control your funds and your key. You do not rely on Coinbase or Gemini sending your funds from their account to yours.
The upside is that you, and only you, control your keys. An exchange getting hacked won’t affect you. The downside is that you, and only you, control your keys. No one else has them, nor can they recover them, should they be lost.
If you do lose your private key or wallet file and password, you cannot prove ownership of an account, and you permanently lose access to your funds.
If you use an exchange like Coinbase, Gemini, Kraken, Polonix, Bittrex, then you have an account with that company, and they hold your ETH and your keys for you. They have their own account on the blockchain with all their and their customers’ funds in it. Then you have a username / password with them, on their servers, and they keep track of how much ETH they “owe” you.
This allows you to have the more traditional username/password account dynamic and do things like reset your password if you forget it, change your password if your password is compromised, and turn on 2FA. However, it also means that if the exchange loses ETH, it’s your ETH that is lost.
If you choose to move from an exchange to a wallet where you control your keys, you need to make sure that you have multiple backups, stored in separate locations, of your private key / keystore file/recovery phrase. This will prevent loss in case your computer crashes or your house burns down or anything else.
Don’t enter it on random websites.
Always ensure you are on the correct site or downloading from the legitimate repo/website.
Don’t email your key, send it to anyone, or post it online.
Don’t save it to cloud storage.
Don’t have Team Viewer or other remote access software on your computer.
And last but not least, use MEW offline!!
If this seems very overwhelming, we recommend purchasing a Ledger or Trezor hardware wallet. These help keep your keys safe and stored in an “offline” device, rather than on your computer. In this case, you don’t have to worry about files or strings of characters; instead, you just connect your hardware wallet to your computer.
1. Check the URL to make sure it says ‘MEWwallet’.
Keep us bookmarked for future use.
Phishers are tricky, so make sure there are no dots or accents on any of the letters.
If you find a phishing site, send it to us so we can take it down!
Download EAL, PhishFort, or Cryptonite for up-to-date alerts when visiting known phishing sites.
2. Use the checksummed version of your address.
This is the version of your address that includes both capital and lowercase letters.
Check out our article for more information on checksummed addresses.
3. Send a small amount first, to test the waters.
We cannot reverse, cancel, or refund transactions. Make sure you know the process inside and out!
Read our user guide all about sending transactions.
4. Keep your information off the computer.
Write down everything in physical backups.
Pen and paper are highly underrated. No one can hack your notebook!
However, you can lose your notebook – so make extra copies.
Use MEW offline for extra security!
5. Do not share your private information with anyone.
Including us! We will never ask for your Private Key, Keystore File, or Recovery Phrase.
6. We will never email you first.
If you got an email from us without emailing us first, it’s not us.
7. Google can be your best friend or your worst enemy.
Do your research and remain skeptical!
Before sending to a third party or using a new service, Google the service name + ‘scam’ or ‘reviews’.
8. Pay very close attention to the address you’re sending to.
Sending to the wrong address can mean the permanent loss of your funds. Make sure you know who you’re sending to.
Double and triple-check everything. Even one wrong character will make a difference and lead to loss of funds.
Never hand type anything. Copy & paste is your best friend!
Make sure you’re not sending to a contract address! Funds sent directly to a contract address can not be recovered.
9. Buy a hardware wallet.
Hardware wallets are generally around ~100 USD and offer the best protection for your crypto assets.
Ledger and Trezor are two great options we highly recommend!
10. Ask for help.
This is still a very new field, but it has a strong community to back it up.
Social media platforms like Reddit and Twitter are filled with real people who live and breathe crypto, ourselves included!
