Tell me a reason why I should use online wallet.

[BlackHatCoiner]

I was having an argument with one guy from the internet. He uses online wallet instead of an offline. I tell him that bitcoin loses its point if you use an online wallet. He's also trying to convince me to use it too because it's more simple than an offline. I doubt. Anyway, I want one, only one reason, that online wallets are better than the offline ones.

The fact that millions of people use blockchain.com pisses me off. I don't know if the majority of users choose online, but they are many for sure.

[BitcoinGirl.Club]

Very recent incidence, give him this: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5261678.0
Tell him "Not your keys, not your coins".

Online wallets are like any other payment processors like paypal and others. They control your account better to say they are in control of your money.

[odolvlobo]

I was having an argument with one guy from the internet. He uses online wallet instead of an offline. I tell him that bitcoin loses its point if you use an online wallet. He's also trying to convince me to use it too because it's more simple than an offline. I doubt. Anyway, I want one, only one reason, that online wallets are better than the offline ones.

The fact that millions of people use blockchain.com pisses me off. I don't know if the majority of users choose online, but they are many for sure.

Different people have different values and different priorities. If someone wants to use a custodial wallet because it is more convenient, then that decision is up to them. You can tell them about all the drawbacks, but maybe convenience is more important to them.

BTW, the terms "offline" and "online" are confusing because every wallet that is connected to the internet is "online". Also, I suspect that you don't know how the blockchain.com wallet works, and if you did, you wouldn't be so pissed off at people using it.

[Josefjix]

I have never owned an offline wallet before, but I know the dangers involved in storing your assets in an online wallet, your whole coins are controlled by the exchange, the exchange can steal your coins and claim it is a hacked job pretty ugly. I would advice anyone who wishes to have digital assets to use an offline wallet over an online wallet. I don't have any tangible reason to give you why online wallet is better than offline wallets.

[mk4]

Really, only one reason: Convenience.

I personally have an online wallet too, for the few cases I need to make an on-the-go bitcoin transaction. It's just that I wouldn't hold more than $50 worth of bitcoin on my online wallet.

[Maus0728]

Maybe because they fell from ignorance on how to secure their funds in the first place thus exchanging the security and privacy for accessibility and ease of use. It is not surprising that many people became a victim of wallet hacks, clipboard malware, phishing etc., because they are lazy enough to do their homework. However, the only thing you can do is to educate them without forcing them these info into their throat  

In fact, you can even use cold wallet for day to day spending.

[KrisAlex18]

Online wallet is pron from attacks but I am still using I because I am not holding a huge amount of money but if you are golding huge amount of money, better to use offline wallet because that is safer compared to an online wallet, it can not be hacked by other people as long as you keep it on your own. There are no ways for the hacker tongs in access on it because hackers need the internet before they have an account and if you are using the offline wallet you will bot need it anymore. One thing you should do if you are using the offline wallet is to have back up on it because once it will be lost you will never recover it anymore.

[NavI_027]

Anyway, I want one, only one reason, that online wallets are better than the offline ones.

Practicality. I guess that's already a valid reason for someone to use online wallets . I am not saying that it is way better than cold wallets, what I mean is you should also put the size of your holdings and budget into the considerations before picking the storage for your coins. Do you think is it really worth to store only .001(assuming this is all the money he had right now) btc in $59 worth of Trezor? Of course not because the wallet itself is more expensive than his holdings thus he really tend to store it in a digital wallet — a wallet which is free, easy to use, not 100% hack resistant but offers a good security as well.

Using a digital wallet is not as bad as you think, I'm using one for 3 years already and yet i haven't encounter any problem (aside from maintenance ). The only challenge I see is the right picking of it. In a vast sea of fake apps, you should meticulously choose the legit one.

[ranochigo]

Online wallet used to be more convenient when it was not as convenient for users to access their coins over multiple devices. However, the introduction of HD wallets has largely negate such benefits. With a single seed, it is possible for a user to access the funds from their devices as it allows the user to access the same set of addresses from their different wallet.

Another argument is probably the 2FA provided by web wallet but I don't see it being more secure as compared to desktop wallet. It only provides a security advantage over the other similar web wallets.

[dkbit98]

I would not suggest using any kind of online wallets.
Online wallets are storing your private keys on centralized servers, that can be hacked at any point of time.
Also you can easily become victim of phishing with fake websites, and lose all your coins.
If you must use online wallets, only do it with small amount of coins.

[Oasisman]

I can only think of one scenario an online wallet will become better than offline wallet, is when you're doing an online transaction with another person using cryptocurrency. That's what you call convenience while transacting online, like what everyone said.
However, It isn't advisable to store large amount of Bitcoin in an online wallet/custodial wallet regardless of how thick the security layers are. In general, It's always better to store Bitcoin in an offline wallet for security purposes.

[YOSHIE]

You should read this one: Topic: [General] Bitcoin Wallets - Which, what, why?

Types of Wallets
There are many different ways to use Bitcoin and so there are many different types of wallets:
Online bitcoin wallets. Wallets that can be accessed on the web from any internet connected device.
Software wallets. Wallet applications downloaded to your phone, computer or tablet.
Bitcoin hardware wallets. Physical devices designed to secure bitcoins.
Paper wallets. Bitcoin private keys printed from an offline computer.

Here are some factors to consider when choosing a wallet:

On the go? If you are making payments in person and not online then a mobile wallet like breadwallet (iOS) or Edge (Android) is a must.
Frequency of payments: If you will need to make frequent payments then it will be best to keep your funds in wallet that is easy to use and accessible. Mobile wallets and desktop wallets are good options.
Amount: If you are dealing with large amounts of bitcoins you will need a secure wallet. Hardware wallets and secure offline wallets like Armory are good options.
Use combinations: Use a mobile wallet as your checking account, and a hardware or secure offline wallet as your savings account. Mix and match to find a combination that provides both security and accessibility

And tell your opponents about the Bitcoin wallet: online & offline.
Or:

If you want to use online wallet try https://blockchain.info/wallet/#/ just because it is one of the oldest and most trusted online wallet.It support Bitcoin and and from recently Ethereum.I use this wallet just for short time and I still have account there, have no complaints and everything is working right.

What it is important that you use unique password when creating your account and to take all the security measures available,online wallets are most vulnerable to hacking.Therefore, if you want to keep your coins safe it is better to use desktop or hardware wallet.

[audaciousbeing]

I was having an argument with one guy from the internet. He uses online wallet instead of an offline. I tell him that bitcoin loses its point if you use an online wallet. He's also trying to convince me to use it too because it's more simple than an offline. I doubt. Anyway, I want one, only one reason, that online wallets are better than the offline ones.

The fact that millions of people use blockchain.com pisses me off. I don't know if the majority of users choose online, but they are many for sure.

While you are correct to insist on your offline alternative, the guy arguing for online is also not wrong. For me, online wallets should be use by a newbie coming into the crypto world for the first time and for convenience sake because online wallets provides that. You only need to sign in then carry out your transactions. Again the value of the portfolio should also be a determinant when people are decide as I don't see reason why I would buy a Legder for offline wallet when I only have $50 or $100 as my total value.

Offline on the other hand would save one from heart attack of the inconsistency of the online wallets providers and their susceptibility to attacks from hackers or even a compromise from their own people.

[kartel616]

more practically, you can check balances and send coins wherever and whenever.

[NeuroticFish]

I want one, only one reason, that online wallets are better than the offline ones.

Mind your choice of words, I am sure you don't use offline wallet   , you just use a stand alone wallet or computer wallet.
Now about your request, top option is convenience. Another option is that some custodial wallets may still offer 0-fee for transfers between accounts in their system.
Also, it may be good to differentiate between custodial and non-custodial web wallets. I mean, even myself I use MEW with my Ledger now and then.

The fact that millions of people use blockchain.com pisses me off. I don't know if the majority of users choose online, but they are many for sure.

Me too. It's buggy. It's top target for phishing. It causes a centralization which can allow easier tracking for everything.


And I know, most will tell they can have the private keys and the wallet is always there. But the smartphone isn't always there?!

The main reason I think people use web wallets is because they don't understand what a wallet is for crypto. They don't understand that a wallet doesn't hold the coins, only private keys (to say it simple) and they don't understand they (or the hackers) can have the same wallet in multiple places. They think that the coins are at blockchain.com and if anything goes wrong blockchain.com will handle, like a bank (!). Because they think that blockchain.com is the blockchain, basically Bitcoin Corporation. Is there a big sign telling them they're wrong? Nope.

[Hypnosis00]

I was having an argument with one guy from the internet. He uses online wallet instead of an offline. I tell him that bitcoin loses its point if you use an online wallet. He's also trying to convince me to use it too because it's more simple than an offline. I doubt. Anyway, I want one, only one reason, that online wallets are better than the offline ones.

The fact that millions of people use blockchain.com pisses me off. I don't know if the majority of users choose online, but they are many for sure.

To the fact that having a hard wallet is quite expensive, It probably more crypto holders are still using an online wallet. I don't think it is a need to have those expensive ones if we only just hold a few BTC's. That hacking sentiment is our concern in order to have an offline wallet, well, that it only depends on how we handle our wallet keys. Because even we have an offline wallet it still won't guarantee that we are free from hackers.

For if you are just an ordinary trader or holders, there is no need to purchase hard wallets coz it only costs a lot.
And one reason why I preferred an online wallet is that you can access your wallet quickly as long as you have the internet.

[NeuroticFish]

To the fact that having a hard wallet is quite expensive, It probably more crypto holders are still using an online wallet. I don't think it is a need to have those expensive ones if we only just hold a few BTC's. That hacking sentiment is our concern in order to have an offline wallet, well, that it only depends on how we handle our wallet keys. Because even we have an offline wallet it still won't guarantee that we are free from hackers.

For if you are just an ordinary trader or holders, there is no need to purchase hard wallets coz it only costs a lot.
And one reason why I preferred an online wallet is that you can access your wallet quickly as long as you have the internet.

See? This hind of unverified "facts" (misleading incorrect information) makes people use web wallets, lose money and so on.

1. A hardware wallet costs now under 60 EUR. If it helps one not lose 2-300$ worth of coins it may already worth it. Is that indeed expensive?!
2. You can use PC or smartphone wallet without hardware wallet.
3. You can access your phone wallet too as long as you have internet (or laptop wallet when you are at home) and it's 10x safer. (So why use web wallet?!)

[davis196]

I was having an argument with one guy from the internet. He uses online wallet instead of an offline. I tell him that bitcoin loses its point if you use an online wallet. He's also trying to convince me to use it too because it's more simple than an offline. I doubt. Anyway, I want one, only one reason, that online wallets are better than the offline ones.

The fact that millions of people use blockchain.com pisses me off. I don't know if the majority of users choose online, but they are many for sure.

I won't try to convince anyone about anything.Everyone is free to use any wallet he wants.
Online wallets are convenient for small amounts of Bitcoin.If you plan to keep more than 1BTC somewhere,an offline wallet is the better option.Why are you pissed off by blockchain.com?I've used that wallet last year without any issues.If I remember correctly,you have the ability to save your private keys with Blockchain.com.This feature is a must for every online wallet.

[Mumbeeptind1963]

I have never owned an offline wallet before, but I know the dangers involved in storing your assets in an online wallet, your whole coins are controlled by the exchange, the exchange can steal your coins and claim it is a hacked job pretty ugly. I would advice anyone who wishes to have digital assets to use an offline wallet over an online wallet. I don't have any tangible reason to give you why online wallet is better than offline wallets.

Offline wallet like ledger is safer for me, it is not prone to any online attacks since it is given that it is offline, if you will choose online wallet, better if the OP uses 2FA authenticator so that it would have a high level of security, and always keep your private keys.

[Josefjix]

Offline wallet like ledger is safer for me, it is not prone to any online attacks since it is given that it is offline, if you will choose online wallet, better if the OP uses 2FA authenticator so that it would have a high level of security, and always keep your private keys.

2FA authenticator isn't a guarantee that one can't be attacked by a hacker. They can bypass most of those things. I watched a video last year where a hacker hacked into somebody's email even with 2FA on. The safest is offline wallets.