Recommended Tools -

After 12+ years working in blockchain and crypto (including time at Intuit on crypto integrations), I’ve tested hundreds of platforms, wallets, and tools. These are the ones I personally use and recommend to family, friends, and newsletter subscribers.

My criteria is simple: Security first, transparency always, and user experience that doesn’t sacrifice safety for convenience. Every tool listed here passes my personal security audit and aligns with my educational mission—helping people navigate crypto safely.

🔒 Security Audited

✅ Personally Tested

📚 Beginner Friendly

🎯

DeFi Research Tool

vfat.io

My #1 DeFi research tool. I use vfat.io every single day to research yield opportunities across 40+ blockchains. It’s the most comprehensive DeFi aggregator I’ve found, and it’s built with the same principles I follow: transparency, security, and user empowerment.

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Security First

Audited by Electisec with public reports, open-source code on GitHub

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Multi-Chain Coverage

Aggregates data from ALL EVM chains—Ethereum, BSC, Arbitrum, Polygon, and more

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No Wallet Required to Browse

Research opportunities safely without connecting your wallet

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One-Click Interactions

Stake, unstake, claim rewards—all from one interface with self-custody

🔬 My Use Case:

I built my DeFi Safety Scanner using similar principles to vfat.io’s approach—aggregate data from multiple sources, present it clearly, and help users make informed decisions. If you’re serious about DeFi, this is where you start your research.

Explore vfat.io →

💾

Hardware Wallet (Cold Storage)

Trezor Hardware Wallets

When it comes to securing crypto long-term, hardware wallets are non-negotiable. Trezor is my wallet brand of choice because of their transparent security model, open-source firmware, and commitment to user privacy. I’ve been using Trezor devices for 3+ years to store my Bitcoin and Ethereum foundation (40% of my portfolio). They offer multiple wallet models (Safe 3, Safe 5, Safe 7) plus security accessories like metal backup plates.

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Open-Source Security

Fully open-source hardware and software—security through transparency

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10+ Year Track Record

Since 2014, Trezor has been the gold standard with zero successful remote exploits

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Multiple Device Options

Choose from Safe 3 (budget), Safe 5 (advanced), or Safe 7 (touchscreen flagship)

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Security Accessories

Metal backup plates, Cryptosteel capsules, and other seed phrase protection tools

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Multi-Currency Support

Supports 1,000+ cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and all ERC-20 tokens

💡 Perfect For:

Anyone holding crypto for the long term. Investors who want maximum security without sacrificing control. People who prioritize privacy and don’t want their backup keys stored on third-party servers. This is where your 40% “foundation” allocation should live. Don’t forget their metal backup plates—essential for protecting your seed phrase from fire and water damage.

⚠️ Why I Don’t Recommend Ledger

While Ledger devices are popular, I avoid them for three reasons:

Closed-source components – You can’t fully verify their security claims
2023 data breach – Customer information was compromised, leading to targeted phishing attacks
Ledger Recover controversy – Their seed phrase “recovery” service raised serious questions about their security architecture

For cold storage, I want maximum transparency and proven track record – that’s Trezor.

📋 Click for Hardware Wallet Setup Guide (10 Minutes)

Follow these 5 steps to securely set up your Trezor:

Step 1: Unbox and Connect

Connect your Trezor to your computer or phone via USB-C. Download Trezor Suite from trezor.io (verify the URL – scam sites exist). Follow the on-screen prompts to begin setup.

Step 2: Generate Your Seed Phrase (CRITICAL)

Your Trezor will display 12 or 24 words. Write them down on paper in order. Do NOT take a photo. Do NOT save them digitally. These words ARE your Bitcoin – anyone with them can take your funds.

⚠️ Trezor will never ask for your seed phrase. If a website or “support” person asks for it, it’s a scam.

Step 3: Set Your PIN

Create a 4-9 digit PIN. This protects your device if someone physically steals it. Don’t use obvious patterns (1234, birth year, etc.).

Step 4: Verify Your Seed Phrase

Trezor will ask you to confirm your seed phrase by entering specific words. This ensures you wrote it down correctly. Don’t skip this step – it’s your only verification.

Step 5: Transfer Funds

Start with a small test transaction ($10-20) to verify everything works. Once confirmed, transfer the rest. Your funds are now in cold storage – protected from online attacks.

Pro tip: Store your seed phrase in a fireproof safe or safety deposit box. Trezor sells metal backup plates (Cryptosteel capsules) that survive fire and water—highly recommended for long-term storage.

Shop Trezor Hardware Wallets →

🔥

Hot Wallet (DeFi Interaction)

Rabby Wallet

My primary DeFi wallet. Hot wallets are connected to the internet, making them convenient for active trading and yield farming but less secure than hardware wallets. I use Rabby for my active DeFi positions (35% of portfolio) – the money earning yield in liquidity pools and lending protocols.

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Pre-Transaction Simulation

Shows you exactly what will happen before you sign – has saved me from malicious transactions multiple times

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Multi-Chain Native

Seamlessly switch between Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Polygon, and 40+ other chains

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Better UX Than MetaMask

Cleaner interface, automatic chain switching, and better transaction previews

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Hardware Wallet Integration

Can connect to your Trezor for added security on high-value transactions

🔬 My Use Case:

I switched from MetaMask to Rabby 6 months ago and haven’t looked back. The transaction simulation feature caught two phishing attempts that would have drained my wallet. I use it for all my cross-chain DeFi positions – Uniswap on Ethereum, PancakeSwap on Arbitrum, and Aerodrome on Base. The automatic chain detection means I never send funds to the wrong network.

💡 Why Rabby Over MetaMask:

MetaMask works fine, but Rabby’s security features are superior. The pre-execution preview shows you token approvals, balance changes, and potential risks BEFORE you sign. For active DeFi users managing multiple positions across chains, this isn’t optional – it’s essential.

⚠️ Hot Wallet Security Rules

Never store large amounts long-term – If you’re not actively farming it, move it to cold storage
Use separate browsers – I use Brave for DeFi, Chrome for everything else (compartmentalization)
Revoke approvals regularly – Old token approvals can be exploited. Check monthly at revoke.cash
Verify URLs – Bookmark your DeFi sites. Phishing sites look identical to real ones
Never enter seed phrases online – Not in Discord, Telegram, “support” forms, or anywhere. Ever.

Download Rabby (Free) →

🦊

Hot Wallet Alternative

MetaMask

The most popular Ethereum wallet. While I’ve switched to Rabby for daily use, MetaMask is still a solid choice, especially if you’re just getting started. Most DeFi tutorials and guides assume you’re using MetaMask, making it beginner-friendly.

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Universal Compatibility

Works with virtually every DeFi protocol and dApp

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Large User Base

Most tutorials and support docs are written for MetaMask

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Mobile + Browser Extension

Available on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, and Brave

💡 When to Use MetaMask:

If you’re brand new to DeFi, start with MetaMask – the abundance of tutorials makes troubleshooting easier. Once you’re comfortable, consider switching to Rabby for better security features. You can import your MetaMask seed phrase into Rabby and use both.

Download MetaMask (Free) →

📊

Portfolio Tracking

DeBank

Shows all your positions across 100+ chains in one dashboard. No login required – just enter your wallet address. I check DeBank every morning to verify my LP positions are still in range and earning fees.

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Multi-Chain Dashboard

Tracks positions across Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Polygon, and 100+ other chains

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No Login Required

Just paste any wallet address to see all holdings and positions

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LP Position Tracking

Automatically shows Uniswap V3, Aerodrome, and PancakeSwap positions with range status

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DeFi Protocol Integration

See your lending deposits, staking positions, and yield farming all in one place

🔬 My Use Case:

Essential for active DeFi management. Every morning I check DeBank to see if my Uniswap V3 positions are still in range, verify my Aave deposits are accruing interest, and check overall portfolio allocation. Saves me from opening 5 different websites.

Try DeBank (Free) →

📱

Portfolio Tracking (Mobile)

Zerion

Portfolio tracker + wallet in one, with mobile-first design. Better than DeBank for on-the-go monitoring with transaction history and P&L tracking built in.

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Mobile-Optimized

Beautiful iOS/Android apps designed for mobile-first experience

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Profit/Loss Tracking

Automatically calculates which positions are making or losing money

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Transaction History

Complete history of all your DeFi interactions with value in USD

🔬 My Use Case:

Perfect for mobile portfolio checks when I’m away from my desk. The P&L calculations help me track which LP positions are actually generating profit versus just chasing APY.

Try Zerion (Free) →

🛡️

Security Tool

Revoke.cash

Shows every token approval you’ve ever given and lets you revoke dangerous ones with one click. This is non-negotiable for anyone using DeFi – old approvals are one of the most common attack vectors.

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See All Approvals

Shows every protocol that has permission to spend your tokens

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One-Click Revoke

Remove dangerous approvals instantly (costs a small gas fee)

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Multi-Chain Support

Works on all EVM chains – Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Polygon, etc.

💡 Why This Matters:

When you use Uniswap or other DeFi protocols, you approve them to spend your tokens. Those approvals stay active FOREVER – even after you exit the position. If that contract gets hacked or compromised, the attacker can drain your wallet using those old approvals.

🔬 My Use Case:

I check revoke.cash monthly and remove any approvals for protocols I’m not actively using. Takes 5 minutes, costs $3-5 in gas, could save thousands. I’ve found approvals from protocols I forgot I used 6 months ago – those are sitting targets for hackers.

Check Your Approvals →

🔍

My DeFi Tool (Free Beta)

Crypto Clarity DeFi Scanner

My automated risk analysis tool that scans 847+ DeFi protocols across 40+ chains every 6 hours. Built using the same security principles I use to evaluate protocols for my own money.

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12 Red Flags Framework

Team transparency, liquidity depth, smart contract permissions, historical performance, and more

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Multi-Chain Analysis

Scans Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Polygon, BSC, and 35+ other chains

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Updated Every 6 Hours

Catches APY changes, TVL drops, and emerging risks in real-time

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On-Demand Pool Analysis

Submit any pool for immediate risk assessment (coming soon for premium members)

🔬 How I Use It:

This scanner is how I found the Yearn v3 USDC vault I’m currently using at 8.2% APY. It flagged the vault because yields remained stable while competitors dropped 2-3%. The automated monitoring catches opportunities AND risks before they show up in my manual research.

⏰ Currently in Open Beta

The DeFi Scanner and on-demand pool analysis are free to use while we refine them. These will become premium-only features once we exit beta. Try them now and give me your feedback before they go behind the paywall.

Try the Scanner (Free) →

📈

Crypto Tax Software

Koinly

If you’re active in DeFi, tax season can be a nightmare. Koinly automates the entire process—tracking transactions across exchanges, wallets, and DeFi protocols to generate accurate tax reports.

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Comprehensive Exchange Support

Connects to 700+ exchanges, wallets, and blockchains via API or CSV import

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DeFi Transaction Tracking

Automatically categorizes complex DeFi activities—staking, liquidity pools, yield farming

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Audit-Ready Reports

Generate IRS Form 8949, Schedule D, and full transaction histories

🔬 My Use Case:

With positions across 5+ chains and dozens of DeFi protocols, manually tracking cost basis would be impossible. Koinly automatically syncs with my wallets, categorizes everything correctly, and generates compliant reports for my accountant.

Try Koinly Free →

🔐

Privacy & Security VPN

NordVPN

In crypto, your privacy IS your security. I never access my wallets or exchanges without NordVPN running, especially on public WiFi. The kill switch has saved me multiple times when connections dropped while managing positions.

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Military-Grade Encryption

AES-256 encryption protects your crypto activities from hackers

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Kill Switch Protection

Automatically disconnects internet if VPN drops, preventing IP leaks

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Threat Protection

Blocks malicious websites, phishing attempts, and crypto scam domains

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Cryptocurrency Payment

Pay with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Ripple for maximum anonymity

🔬 My Use Case:

Essential when traveling. Public WiFi is a goldmine for hackers looking to intercept crypto transactions. The kill switch has saved me multiple times when my connection dropped while managing positions. For $3-4/month, it’s cheap insurance.

Get NordVPN →

⚠️ Affiliate Disclosure

Some links on this page are affiliate links (Trezor, Koinly, NordVPN, vfat.io). If you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and trust. These commissions help me keep building free tools like the DeFi Scanner and this newsletter. All other tools listed (Rabby, MetaMask, DeBank, Zerion, Revoke.cash) have no affiliate relationship.

Recommended Tools

🛡️ Recommended Crypto Tools

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Why These Tools?

vfat.io

Trezor Hardware Wallets

⚠️ Why I Don’t Recommend Ledger

Step 1: Unbox and Connect

Step 2: Generate Your Seed Phrase (CRITICAL)

Step 3: Set Your PIN

Step 4: Verify Your Seed Phrase

Step 5: Transfer Funds

Rabby Wallet

⚠️ Hot Wallet Security Rules

MetaMask

DeBank

Zerion

Revoke.cash

Crypto Clarity DeFi Scanner

⏰ Currently in Open Beta

Koinly

NordVPN