Coinbase Wallet is now available as a standalone

Introduction

This presentation describes the standalone release of Coinbase Wallet — a browser-centric and desktop-friendly wallet that enables users to manage digital assets, interact with decentralized applications (dApps), and maintain control of private keys locally. The standalone release expands accessibility for desktop users and provides an optimized UX for power users who prefer a desktop-first workflow alongside mobile experiences.

The content in this document is structured for multiple audiences: product marketing, support teams, developers, compliance, and end users. Each section contains a blend of high-level messaging and actionable steps to help stakeholders explain, teach, and support the product.

What’s New in the Standalone Release

The standalone Coinbase Wallet release introduces a version of the wallet that is independent of the mobile app and integrated browser extension experiences. It includes a dedicated desktop UI, improved session management, richer connection controls, and extensions for secure hardware wallet integration.

Highlights

• Desktop-first UI: A responsive, feature-rich interface optimized for larger screens with larger transaction preview panels and multi-window workflows.
• Standalone installation: Available as a downloadable desktop app and as high-quality, verifiable installable packages distributed through official channels and the Chrome Web Store for extension users.
• Cross-device sync (optional): An end-to-end encrypted sync option for user preferences, safe to enable without exposing private keys. Seed phrases remain local by default unless user explicitly opts into secure sync.
• Hardware wallet integration: Improved pairing, seamless transaction signing via USB/Bluetooth hardware keys, and better user flow for external signing devices.
• Advanced dApp tooling: Native support for WalletConnect v2, provider injection, and a robust permissions console that allows granular control over dApps and RPC endpoints.

Why standalone matters

Users increasingly expect a consistent, powerful desktop experience for trading, asset management, and NFT workflows. Standalone applications reduce friction for power users and professionals who do most of their heavy-lifting on laptops or desktops — providing a more discoverable, keyboard-friendly environment than mobile alone.

Benefits for Users and Organizations

For Individual Users

• Multi-window productivity: Run a wallet alongside research tools, trading platforms, and dApps without switching devices.
• Clear transaction review: Larger previews and more context for transactions, making it easier to spot suspicious operations.
• Better hardware support: Desktop USB and Bluetooth support for hardware keys increases safety for users holding larger balances.
• Custom RPCs & networks: Efficient switching between networks (testnets, layer-2s) for developers and early adopters.

For Teams & Enterprises

• Training & QA: Desktop installations make it easier for internal training and quality assurance testing across standardized environments.
• Secure staging flows: QA teams can replicate dApp environments and walkthroughs with deterministic testnets and pinned RPCs.
• Compliance & controls: Organizations can deploy policy-level config bundles for managed wallets used in educational or custodial setups (where appropriate and allowed by policy).

For Developers & dApp Builders

• Rapid iteration: Desktop builds enable faster testing cycles and easier debugging tools (devtools integration, logging options).
• Robust provider behavior: The standalone environment offers deterministic provider injection semantics reducing edge cases during integration.
• Detailed permissions API: Developers can rely on clearer user intent via the permissions model, improving UX and reducing accidental approvals.

Install & First-Time Setup

The installation flow is intentionally simple while emphasizing security. This section explains step-by-step guidance for marketing, onboarding, and support documentation.

Distribution channels

The standalone wallet is distributed through official channels only. Always verify publisher metadata and checksums where provided. Installation methods may include:

• Official download page (recommended): a cryptographically-signed installer for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Chrome Web Store (for the extension): the official Coinbase Wallet extension with clear publisher identity and support links.
• Enterprise package managers for managed deployments (when provided to institutional users under contract).

Step-by-step: Install and create wallet

1. Download: Visit the official Coinbase Wallet website and download the installer matching your OS. Verify checksums when available.
2. Install: Run the installer and follow OS-level prompts. On macOS you may need to allow the app in Security settings if Gatekeeper prompts appear.
3. Launch: Open the app and choose "Create a new wallet" or "Import wallet".
4. Create: Choose a strong local password. The app will then generate a recovery phrase (12 or 24 words depending on security preference) and present backup guidance.
5. Backup: Write down the recovery phrase on paper and store it offline. Consider using a hardware wallet for additional protection.
6. Confirm: The app will ask you to confirm a subset of recovery words to ensure your backup is correct.
7. Finish: Complete optional setup: enable biometric unlocking (if supported), opt into encrypted sync (optional), and explore the dashboard.

Step-by-step: Importing an existing wallet

1. Select "Import wallet".
2. Enter your recovery phrase exactly as produced by your previous wallet.
3. Set a new local password and confirm.
4. Optionally register a hardware backup or export a watch-only address for observation-only workflows.

User Experience & Interface Principles

The standalone wallet is designed with clarity, safety, and speed in mind. Key UX principles drive design decisions and copy tone across the product:

Clarity of intent

Every transaction and signature request must clearly show what the user is approving: from address, to address, network, value, and contract data. Where contract calls are complex, the UI expands with human-readable translations of the intent.

Progressive disclosure

Show minimal necessary information first with an obvious "Advanced details" section for power users who want to inspect raw data and gas parameters.

Consistent language

Use consistent labels for actions across the product — e.g., "Sign", "Approve", "Send" — and ensure that each term maps to a distinct technical behavior so users learn the meaning quickly.

Accessibility

High-contrast themes, keyboard navigability, and screen reader support are integral. The desktop app includes a "high-contrast" and "large type" mode for users who need them.

Onboarding flows

Onboarding includes micro-copy explaining each step, inline examples for backup, and small safety quizzes to emphasize the importance of seed phrase backup — short, non-invasive checks to encourage best practices without disrupting onboarding completion rates.

Security Model & Recommendations

Security is the foremost priority. The standalone wallet uses multiple layers of protection to minimize risk while maximizing user control.

Local key custody

Private keys and seed phrases are generated and encrypted on the user's device and remain local by default. The wallet uses strong symmetric encryption derived from the user's password, combined with OS-level secure storage where available.

Private key lifecycle

• Generation: Keys are generated by a secure entropy source within the app.
• Storage: Encrypted on disk using a per-user derived encryption key (PBKDF2 / Argon2 depending on platform), optionally wrapped by OS secure enclaves where possible.
• Usage: Keys are decrypted into memory only for signature operations and cleared from memory promptly afterwards.
• Export: Exporting seed phrases and private keys is possible but gated behind strong confirmation flows and multi-step warnings.

Phishing & UX guards

• Domain display: All signature prompts include the exact domain and its favicon; if the domain differs from what the user expects, the wallet shows a clear warning.
• Trusted sites: Users can mark domains as trusted; trusted doesn't bypass confirmations for critical transactions, but reduces friction for benign site interactions.
• Transaction limits: Users can set daily or per-transaction approval limits for less sensitive actions, requiring explicit reauthorization beyond those thresholds.

Hardware wallet integration

Support for Ledger and Trezor allows the wallet to delegate signing to an external device. When using hardware wallets, private keys never leave the hardware device; only the signed payload is returned.

Recovery & emergency flows

Recovery processes are centered around the recovery phrase. The app offers an "emergency move" wizard: in case a user suspects compromise, they can move funds immediately to a safe address via a guided flow that minimizes the chance of error.

Attestation & app integrity

Installers are signed and checksums published. Users and enterprise teams are encouraged to validate checksums and signatures to ensure integrity of downloads before installation.

dApp Connectivity & Permissions

Connection methods

The standalone wallet supports multiple connection patterns to dApps:

• Injected provider: When the wallet is installed as an extension, it injects a provider into web pages allowing immediate connect flows.
• WalletConnect: For the standalone desktop app, we support WalletConnect v2 — allowing QR-based or deep-link connections to dApps running in the browser or on mobile.
• Native RPC: Advanced dApps may integrate using explicit APIs to request granular permissions. The wallet provides an audited permissions surface that shows exactly what data or actions a dApp requests.

Permissions console

Users can view and manage all connected sites in a dedicated console, with per-site permissions such as:

• Read-only account access
• Request signature
• Sign typed data
• Request transaction submission

Revocation & session control

Connections can be revoked at any time; the wallet also supports automatic session expiry options and multi-factor re-confirmation for long-lived sessions.

Developer guidance (short)

Developers should request the minimal permissions necessary and provide clear on-screen explanations of the user's intent. Avoid asking for broad permissions that can confuse users and erode trust.

Tokens, NFTs & Multi-Network Support

Token management

The wallet provides a unified view of ERC-20 and other EVM-compatible tokens across networks. Token balances are retrieved via configured RPCs and aggregated in a single list with search and sorting.

NFT gallery

A built-in NFT gallery allows users to view owned collectibles with metadata and visual previews when available. The gallery includes options to export provenance data and view related on-chain activity for collectors and appraisers.

Network switching

Switching between Ethereum mainnet, testnets, and popular layer-2 networks is fast and visible. The wallet encourages users to confirm the network before approving transactions and provides warnings if a dApp requests an unexpected network change.

Gas & fee controls

Provide intuitive presets for transaction fees (slow/standard/fast) plus an advanced gas editor for expert users. Show estimated confirmation times and cost estimates before user approval.

Permissions, Privacy & Data Handling

Minimal telemetry

The default installation opts out of analytics and telemetry. If users opt in, only anonymized and aggregated metrics are collected to improve product quality; personally identifiable information is never sent without explicit consent.

Storage & encryption

Local storage is encrypted. Optional cloud sync uses end-to-end encryption so that Coinbase (or any server) cannot read seed phrases or private keys; only metadata and encrypted blobs are stored when sync is enabled.

User privacy controls

• Toggle telemetry on/off
• Clear all local data
• Export activity logs for local inspection

Developer Notes & Integration Checklist

Provider compatibility

The wallet supports the standard Ethereum provider interface and includes additional capabilities such as typed data signing and developer-focused debugging toggles. Integrations should detect provider features and gracefully degrade if advanced features are unavailable.

Testing guidance

• Use testnets and staging RPCs for all development workflows.
• Validate signature flows across hardware and software wallets.
• Automated tests should include permission prompts mock and session revocation flows.

Security disclosure program

Developers and security researchers are encouraged to report vulnerabilities through the official security disclosure program with clear triage and response SLAs. Reward programs and responsible disclosure policies should be visible in developer documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What does "standalone" mean?

A: Standalone means the wallet can operate independently of the mobile app. It is installable as its own desktop application and provides a full-featured interface optimized for desktop usage. Core wallet functions — key management, transaction signing, and dApp connectivity — remain local to the user's device.

Q: Is the standalone wallet secure?

A: Yes. Security depends on user practices: the app encrypts keys locally and offers hardware wallet support which provides the highest safety for signing. Following best practices — such as storing recovery phrases offline, enabling hardware wallets for large holdings, and verifying downloads — keeps the wallet secure.

Q: Can I use my mobile wallet seed phrase?

A: Yes. The import process accepts standard BIP39-compatible seed phrases. Users should verify that the phrase is entered correctly and ideally import into a fresh, offline environment when possible.

Q: What if I lose my recovery phrase?

A: Without the recovery phrase, you cannot regain access to private keys if the device and password are lost. The wallet provides guidance on emergency options where possible (watch-only exports, contact support for questions) but cannot reconstruct private keys without the phrase. Back up your seed phrase in multiple secure places.

Q: How do I confirm I'm using the official wallet?

A: Download only from official Coinbase channels, verify digital signatures/checksums when provided, and confirm the publisher metadata in the Chrome Web Store for the extension. Beware of impostor downloads and phishing emails — always check the domain carefully.

Q: Will the standalone wallet sync with my mobile wallet?

A: Optional end-to-end encrypted sync can share preferences or non-sensitive metadata across devices, but seed phrases remain local by default unless the user chooses opt-in sync that stores encrypted backups. The sync feature is designed to improve convenience without compromising key custody.

Q: How do I revoke a dApp's access?

A: Open the "Connected Sites" console in the wallet, find the site, and revoke. This prevents the dApp from initiating future interactions until the user reconnects explicitly.

Q: Will Coinbase custody user funds?

A: The standalone wallet is non-custodial by default: users are responsible for their private keys. Coinbase may offer custodial services separately, but this wallet first prioritizes self-custody and user-controlled keys unless a separate custodial product is chosen.

Appendix — Supporting Content & Printable Handouts

Printable Quick Reference

Use this short checklist for handouts or printable cards that new users can keep:

1. Verify installer from official site or store.
2. Create a new wallet or import existing seed phrase only in trusted environment.
3. Write down the full recovery phrase, store offline in at least two secure locations.
4. Use hardware wallet for large balances.
5. Never share your recovery phrase. Coinbase will never ask for it.
6. Enable optional encrypted sync only if you understand the trade-offs and have strong passwords.

Marketing Snippets (Short)

1-line: "Coinbase Wallet — now available as a standalone desktop app: secure, fast, and built for power users."

Short: "Get Coinbase Wallet as a standalone app. Manage keys locally, connect to dApps, and integrate hardware wallets — now with a desktop-first experience."

Marketing Snippets (Long)

The standalone Coinbase Wallet brings the full power of self-custody to your desktop. Built for collectors, traders, and developers, it delivers a secure environment for managing tokens and NFTs, connecting to decentralized applications, and signing transactions with full transparency. Advanced users benefit from hardware wallet support, customizable RPC endpoints, and a clear permissions model that gives you control over which sites can interact with your accounts. Whether you are moving assets, exploring DeFi, or building the next generation of dApps, the standalone wallet is designed to make desktop workflows easier and safer.

Developer Quickstart Summary

1. Install the standalone wallet and enable developer mode in settings.
2. Use a local testnet RPC for integration testing (e.g., Hardhat or Anvil).
3. Use WalletConnect for testing mobile-to-desktop interactions.
4. Test permission flows thoroughly and provide helpful UX copy for each requested permission in your dApp.

Support & Resources

Provide links in your final distribution materials to the official help center, developer docs, security disclosure page, and changelog. Keep changelog entries short and focused on security and compatibility updates.

Extended Content (Training Script & Talk Track)

This section contains a scripted talk track to help presenters run a 25–35 minute walkthrough for new users or staff training. Presenters should time themselves and optionally split into smaller hands-on labs.

Opening (2 minutes)

Welcome attendees and briefly introduce the motivation for a standalone wallet: easier desktop workflows, stronger hardware wallet support, and a clearer experience for power users. Emphasize self-custody and that this product is for users who want control over keys and the ability to interact with dApps from their desktops.

Demo (10–15 minutes)

1. Install the application from the official site and show the verification step (checksums/signatures).
2. Create a new wallet and demonstrate backing up the seed phrase (cover best practices for physical backups and secure storage).
3. Import a test wallet and demonstrate switching networks and viewing token balances.
4. Connect to a simple test dApp using WalletConnect and show the signature approval modal; highlight the domain and the transaction details displayed.
5. Demonstrate revoking site access from the Connected Sites console.

Security Best Practices (5–8 minutes)

Talk about hardware wallets, the importance of verifying installer integrity, and how to spot phishing attempts. Walk through an example of a suspicious transaction and how the UI warns about unusual contract calls. Encourage attendees to set up a small "test" wallet for everyday interactions and reserve the main wallet for larger holdings with hardware protection.

Q&A (Remaining time)

Address common questions: syncing options, mobile integration, enterprise deployment, and recovery scenarios. Provide links to the knowledge base and support contacts at the end of the session.