Lesson 2 of 10 · 3 min read
What is a wallet, and why Viru doesn't hold your money
Your wallet is yours. Viru can show it, but never move it.
A wallet is a key, not a bank account
On a blockchain, your money isn't stored in an app. It's recorded on a public ledger, and a private key is what proves it's yours and lets it move. A wallet is the thing that keeps that key.
When you signed in, Viru asked Privy to create two wallets for you: one EVM wallet (the same address on Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon and BNB Chain) and one on Solana. The keys are held in secure hardware on your behalf. Viru never sees them.
Non-custodial, in plain words
Custodial means a company holds your money for you, like a bank or an exchange. Non-custodial means you hold it. Viru is non-custodial: every time something moves out of your wallet, a window asks you to sign, and nothing happens unless you do.
That cuts both ways. Nobody can freeze or spend your funds, and nobody can undo a mistake either. Read the review screen before you sign.
Your two addresses
Each wallet has a public address, a long string you can share freely, like an email address for money. To add crypto, send it from another wallet or exchange to the right address on the right network: coins on Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon or BNB Chain to your EVM address (the one starting with 0x), SOL and Solana tokens to your Solana address. Exchanges usually list BNB Chain as BNB Smart Chain (BEP20).
Sending on the wrong network can lose the money. If you're unsure, send a tiny amount first.
Education only. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy or sell anything.