Jaxx Liberty, a multi-currency wallet, is the updated and feature-rich version of the Jaxx wallet by Decentral Inc. Launched in 2016 as Jaxx Classic wallet, it has, over the years, been subjected to several updates and operational adjustments, which turned it into a cryptocoin ecosystem.
Jaxx has such advanced features as an inbuilt exchange, real-time news monitors, and market data/portfolio trackers. It also boasts of an experience-laden development team, led by Anthony Di Iorio. The Canadian Entrepreneur was the first executive director of the Chamber of Digital Commerce in Canada, as well as the Ethereum co-founder. His guidance has been instrumental to the ever-growing popularity and reputation of the Jaxx Liberty wallet. And all these distinguish Jaxx Liberty from other multi-currency crypto wallets that only serve as vaults for digital currencies.
In this Jaxx wallet review, we will be exploring some of the wallet’s key operational and security features, pros, and cons, vetting its setup process, and ease of sending/receiving coins into the wallet.
Jaxx Liberty Wallet Key features
User-friendly interface: Jaxx Liberty wallet has one of the friendliest user interfaces. And one of its key features includes a unified dashboard system that makes it possible for users to view and interact with all the key wallet features and digital assets on one screen.
Shapeshift integration: Unlike most of the other wallets -that require multiple transfers in and out of exchanges every time you wish to convert your coins to another currency- Jaxx Liberty integrates shapeshift technology. Shapeshift refers to an in-built exchange that allows Jaxx Liberty wallet users to convert their digital assets from one coin to another within the wallet app.
Multi-platform support: Jaxx Liberty is highly versatile and integrates with virtually all popular operating systems. There are different versions for Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop operating systems. The wallet is also available in both Android and iOS smartphone app versions as well as via a chrome browser extension.
Market data tracker: One of the most valuable additions to the Jaxx Liberty wallet not available with its predecessors, is the market data tracker. This allows you to follow market trends, compare price changes, and monitor the market capitalization for different coins in real-time within the app.
Features a portfolio tracker: The unified dashboard doesn’t just provide a view of your crypto assets but also features portfolio tracking tools. These make it possible to monitor the value of your portfolio in real-time without leaving the wallet app.
Newsfeed integration: Traders and investors don’t have to leave the app to source for the crypto industry news and research. Jaxx Liberty has a special section dedicated to the most recent news and events that relate to and impact the crypto industry.
Integration with third party exchanges: In addition to Shapeshift, the Jaxx Liberty wallet also integrates with the all-popular crypto exchange – Changelly.
Security features
Anonymous trading: Jaxx Liberty collects as little information about their Crypto wallet users as possible. The wallet, for instance, doesn’t ask for any of your sensitive user information like national identification number, full names, or address. This ensures that even if the platform was breached, their user’s privacy is guaranteed.
Password protection: You get to set up a strong password upon activating the Jaxx Liberty Wallet. The password is unique to your wallet, and you will need it every time you want to log into the app or confirm a crypto transaction.
Recovery seed: Like virtually every other crypto wallet, Jaxx Liberty has a 12-word backup seed. You get to generate this during the app setup, and it comes in handy in helping you recover your private keys, should you misplace/lose your device, or forget your password.
Hierarchical deterministic: A hierarchical deterministic wallet is a wallet whose design allows it to generate different random addresses for different transactions. It implies that every time you transact with the Jaxx Liberty wallet, it will generate a random public key. This goes a long way in masking your real public key and swaying off hackers.
Automated updates: You will receive automated wallet patches and updates. The automation is key here, as it provides protection and seals off any wallet vulnerabilities as soon as they are discovered, effectively minimizing the risk of manipulation.
Currencies supported
On their website, Jaxx Wallet claims that their wallet makes it possible for you to send, receive, and manage 90+ cryptocurrencies on their platform. These include all the popular coins like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Dash, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, and numerous other tokens.
Jaxx Liberty Wallet cost and other fees
Both the desktop and smartphone Jaxx Liberty Crypto wallet apps are free to download and install. You, however, will be charged a small transaction fee every time you send coins from your wallet or use the inbuilt exchange to convert your assets from one coin to another.
There are three classes of fees that include low, typical, and higher fees depending on the number of currencies being transacted, and the speed at which you would like the transaction completed. Interestingly, however, these fees all go to the blockchain miners confirming the transactions.
Setting up the Jaxx Liberty Wallet:
How to install Jaxx Liberty Wallet:
Step 1: Start by downloading and installing the desktop or mobile app from the Jaxx Liberty wallet website.
Step 2: Select the ‘Create New Wallet’ option and agree to the wallet’s terms and conditions.
Step 3: Proceed to create a strong and multi-character password for your wallet – the longer the password, the better.
Step 4: Atop the wallet interface will appear the ‘Backup banner’ requesting you to create a backup for your wallet. Click here and write down the 12 seed words provided. Keep these words safe as you will need them to recover your private keys if you ever forget your password.
Step 5: The app will have a default address for bitcoin, and you can proceed to create wallet addresses for other coins you wish to receive.
Step 6: You can start sending and receiving digital coins, monitoring your portfolio, and tracking the crypto markets.
Sending and receiving coins:
To receive funds into your Jaxx Liberty Wallet:
Step 1: Click on the receive icon on the wallet interface page.
Step 2: Proceed to select the coin you want to receive and wait for the hierarchically deterministic wallet to generate a wallet address.
Step 3: The wallet will present you with an address that you can copy and send to your sender as well as a QR code that you can print and send to the person from whom you wish to receive the digital coins.
To send payments from your Jaxx Liberty Wallet:
Step 1: Click on the Send icon on the wallet interface.
Step 2: Select the coin you wish to send.
Step 3: Input the receiver’s wallet address and the number of coins you wish to send.
Step 4: Confirm that the details are correct and hit the send button.
Jaxx Liberty Wallet hardware wallet pros and cons:
Pros:
- The wallet is compatible with virtually every operating system.
- Jaxx embraces a raft of security features, including the fact that it is hierarchically deterministic.
- The wallet is user friendly and easy to interact with, for both beginners and experienced crypto-traders.
- The Jaxx Liberty wallet is feature-rich, and you don’t have to leave the app to transact or get market information.
- Acquiring the Jaxx Liberty wallet is free and maintains inexpensive transaction fees.
Cons:
- Jaxx wallet was breached in 2017, and hackers made away with over $400,000 worth of coins.
- The wallet is incompatible with hardware wallets. One may consider the number of digital currencies supported by the broker to be quite low
- It’s a hot wallet and, therefore, requires you to maintain powerful antivirus software to keep malware out, which might be costly over time.
Jaxx Liberty Wallet compared to competitors
Comparing Jax Liberty against most other hot wallets like Coinbase, eToro, and Electrum, we note that it has its fair share of strengths and weaknesses. Unlike the smartphone Electrum wallet, for instance, Jaxx Liberty isn’t compatible with the more secure hardware wallets and also supports a fewer number of crypto coins. Similarly, Jaxx is not as secure as the exchange linked hot wallets like eToro and Coinbase, which store their clients’ crypto assets in cold wallets. It can, nonetheless, be said to have more sophisticated operational features compared to most of these other crypto wallets.
Customer support:
Jaxx Liberty has one of the most responsive customer service desk. And while this team isn’t accessible via the phone, they are readily available via email and on all social media platforms.
Verdict: Does Jaxx Liberty Wallet live to its reputation?
Given the wallet’s association with De Iorio, a renowned blockchain specialist, and Ethereum co-founder, one would expect Jaxx Liberty to be one of the most formidable wallets out there. Its support for just handful currencies, a history stained with a significant security breach, and subsequent loss of clients’ funds, as well as the lack of solid security features like the 2FA or face ID, dents its reputation. We, however, would like to appreciate it’s easy to use and feature-rich platform, which makes Jaxx one of the best crypto wallets for beginners and low-volume traders.