Wallets
A wallet is your own account for coins — like an account number that belongs only to you.
What is a wallet?
A wallet is a long address (a string of letters and digits) plus a secret key that proves the address is yours. Whoever knows the secret key controls the money — that is why the key is never shared with anyone.
Wallets for the TON network (GRAM and USDT)
The easiest options are Wallet built into Telegram, or the Tonkeeper app. Install one and it creates an address for you in about a minute.
Wallets for the Ethereum network (ETH and USDT ERC-20)
MetaMask is the most common choice. Install the app or the browser extension and it creates an address for you.
Wallets for Bitcoin over Lightning
Lightning is a fast, cheap way to move bitcoin. Phoenix, Wallet of Satoshi, Blink and Zeus all work; any of them creates a wallet in a minute and none of them needs you to run anything yourself.
Receiving bitcoin: you create an invoice, not an address
Lightning does not use a permanent address. To receive, you tap Receive in your wallet, enter the exact amount Stargate shows you, and it produces a one-time invoice — a long line starting with lnbc. Paste that into Stargate.
The amount has to match exactly, and the invoice expires. Create it after you see the final amount, not before, and paste it straight away.
Sending bitcoin: Stargate gives you the invoice
The other direction is simpler. Stargate shows you an invoice with a QR code — scan it in your wallet and confirm. Payment arrives in seconds and needs no block confirmations.
Connecting a wallet to Stargate
On the swap screen tap Connect wallet — or simply paste your address into the receiving field. Stargate only ever needs the address.
It says the wallet is not active — what now?
A brand-new TON wallet becomes visible to the network only after it receives its first coins. If Stargate says your wallet is not active, receive any small amount to it first (for example from the wallet app itself), then try again.
The golden rule — your secret 12 or 24 words are for you only. Never send them to anyone, never type them into other sites. Stargate never asks for them — anyone who does is a scammer.
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