Getting Started
Get started with Base wallet in just 5 minutes – the easiest way to receive cryptocurrency donations on CryptoWish.
If you're new to cryptocurrency, setting up your first wallet might seem intimidating. But with Base wallet from Coinbase, it's as simple as creating any other online account. This guide will walk you through every step of setting up Base wallet so you can start receiving crypto gifts from your supporters on CryptoWish.
Base wallet is built by Coinbase on Base, an Ethereum Layer 2 network. Here's why it's perfect for CryptoWish creators:
💰 Near-Zero Fees – Transactions cost less than $0.01
⚡ Lightning Fast – Confirmations happen in seconds
🔒 Secure & Simple – Trusted by millions, easy for beginners
🌐 Ethereum Compatible – Works with all ERC-20 tokens
📱 No Seed Phrases – Uses smart recovery instead of complicated word lists
Before starting, make sure you have:
A computer with Chrome, Brave, Edge, or Firefox browser
5-10 minutes of uninterrupted time
Internet connection
Email address or phone number for account recovery
No prior crypto experience required!
Open your web browser (Chrome, Brave, Edge, or Firefox)
Go to wallet.coinbase.com
Always type the URL directly – never click links from emails or messages
Verify the URL shows a secure connection (padlock icon)
Look for the "Create a Smart Wallet" button on the homepage
Click "Create a Smart Wallet" or "Get Started"
You'll be prompted to install the browser extension
Chrome/Brave/Edge: Redirected to Chrome Web Store
Firefox: Redirected to Firefox Add-ons
Click "Add to [Browser Name]" or "Install"
Confirm the installation by clicking "Add Extension"
The Base wallet icon will appear in your browser toolbar (usually in the top-right corner)
Look for the Coinbase wallet logo (blue and white)
You may need to click the puzzle piece icon to pin it
If you prefer using your phone:
Download Coinbase Wallet from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android)
Open the app and select "Create New Wallet"
Choose "Base" as your primary network when prompted
Follow the same account creation steps outlined below
Now that the extension is installed, let's create your wallet.
Click the Base wallet icon in your browser toolbar
The extension will open with a welcome screen
Click "Create a New Wallet" or "Get Started"
You'll see options for setting up your wallet
Base smart wallet offers multiple ways to secure your account. Choose the option that works best for you:
Select "Sign in with Email" or "Sign in with Phone"
Enter your email address or phone number
Click "Continue"
Check your email/phone for a verification code
Enter the 6-digit code within 10 minutes
Your account is created!
Select "Sign in with Coinbase"
Log into your existing Coinbase account
Authorize the wallet connection
Your Base wallet is automatically created and linked
Select "Sign in with Google" or "Sign in with Apple"
Choose your account and authorize access
Your wallet is created using your social account credentials
Select "Use Passkey"
Your browser will prompt you to create a passkey
Use your device's biometric authentication (fingerprint, face recognition) or PIN
Your passkey is stored securely on your device
Recommendation: Use passkey or email/phone for the best balance of security and convenience.
After signing in, you'll be asked to choose your primary network
Select "Base" from the list of available networks
Base offers the lowest transaction fees
Perfect for receiving frequent, small donations
Fully compatible with Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens
Click "Continue" or "Confirm"
Review the welcome screen and any tutorials (optional)
You'll be taken to your wallet dashboard
Congratulations! Your Base wallet is now created
Let's explore what you're looking at in your new Base wallet.
When you open your Base wallet, you'll see several key sections:
1. Wallet Address
Located at the top of your wallet
Starts with "0x" followed by 40 characters (e.g., 0x1234...5678)
This is YOUR unique cryptocurrency address
Think of it like an email address or bank account number
Safe to share publicly – this is how people send you crypto
2. Balance Display
Shows your total balance in USD
Below that, you'll see individual crypto balances
Will show $0.00 when you first create your wallet
3. Main Action Buttons
Buy – Purchase cryptocurrency with a credit/debit card or bank account
Send – Transfer crypto to another wallet address
Receive – Display your address for receiving crypto
Swap – Exchange one cryptocurrency for another
4. Activity/History Tab
Shows all your transactions
Displays incoming and outgoing transfers
Links to blockchain explorer for transaction details
5. Settings (Gear Icon)
Security settings
Recovery options
Network selection
Account management
Your wallet address is the most important piece of information:
Example Address:0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc9e7595f0bEb4
Key Points:
This is PUBLIC information – safe to share
Anyone can send crypto to this address
You can't receive crypto without sharing this address
Works across all Ethereum-compatible networks (Base, Ethereum, Polygon, etc.)
Only YOU can access the crypto sent to this address
How to Copy Your Address:
Click "Receive" in your wallet
Your address appears with a QR code
Click the copy icon next to your address
The address is now copied to your clipboard
You can paste this into CryptoWish or share with supporters
Pro Tip: Save your wallet address in a secure note on your computer. You'll need it when setting up your CryptoWish profile.
Base smart wallets are designed to be more secure and recoverable than traditional crypto wallets. Let's set up your safety net.
Open Settings (click the gear icon in your wallet)
Navigate to "Security" or "Recovery"
Add Recovery Methods – You should set up at least TWO:
Enter a secure email address
Verify with the code sent to your inbox
Use an email you'll always have access to
Enter your mobile number
Verify with SMS code
Keep this number active
Add another wallet address as a recovery guardian
They can help you recover access if needed
Choose someone you trust completely
Create a backup passkey on another device
Store it on your phone if you created wallet on computer (or vice versa)
Ensures you can always access your wallet
CRITICAL: Set up at least TWO recovery methods immediately. If you lose access and have no recovery options, you'll lose your crypto forever.
In Settings, find "Two-Factor Authentication" or "Security"
Choose your 2FA method:
Authenticator App
(most secure) – Use Google Authenticator, Authy, or 1Password
SMS
(convenient) – Receive codes via text message
(backup option) – Codes sent to your email
Follow the setup wizard:
Scan QR code (for authenticator apps)
Enter phone number (for SMS)
Verify with initial code
Save backup codes in a secure location
Screenshot them and store in secure cloud storage
Write them down and keep in a safe place
Never share these codes with anyone
If your device supports it:
Go to Settings > Security
Toggle on "Face ID", "Touch ID", or "Biometric Login"
Follow device prompts to register your biometrics
Your wallet will now require biometric verification before transactions
Some setup methods require a password:
Use at least 12 characters
Mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
Avoid personal information (birthdays, names)
Don't reuse passwords from other accounts
Store in a password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass)
Before moving forward, let's make sure everything is configured correctly.
Go through this checklist to ensure your wallet is secure:
✅ Recovery methods set up (at least 2)
✅ Two-factor authentication enabled
✅ Biometric login activated (if available)
✅ Wallet address copied and saved securely
✅ Backup codes stored safely
✅ Base network selected as primary
Log out of your Base wallet (if possible with your setup method)
Log back in using your chosen method (email, passkey, etc.)
Confirm you can access your wallet successfully
Verify your wallet address hasn't changed (it never should)
This ensures you won't get locked out later.
Unlike traditional crypto wallets, Base smart wallet does NOT give you:
❌ A seed phrase (12-24 word recovery phrase)
❌ A private key you need to manage
❌ Complex technical requirements
This is intentional! Base smart wallets use social recovery and multi-signature technology instead, making them easier and safer for beginners.
What this means:
You can't "export" your wallet to other platforms easily
You rely on Coinbase's infrastructure
Recovery is simpler and more user-friendly
No risk of losing a paper with words written on it
Your wallet is set up and ready to receive crypto on CryptoWish! However, you might want to add a small amount of crypto for:
Testing how transactions work
Having funds ready for gas fees if needed
Understanding the user experience your supporters will have
Click "Buy" in your wallet
Select Ethereum (ETH)
ETH is the native currency of Base
Can be used for all transactions on the network
Enter the amount you want to purchase
Start small: $10-20 is enough for testing
Consider your budget and goals
Choose payment method:
Debit card (instant, small fee)
Bank transfer (1-3 days, lower fees)
Apple Pay / Google Pay (instant)
Complete identity verification (required for purchases)
Upload ID (driver's license, passport)
Take a selfie for verification
This is a one-time process
Review and confirm your purchase
Wait for crypto to arrive
Card purchases: 1-5 minutes
Bank transfers: 1-3 business days
Fee Estimate: Expect to pay 1-3% in fees when buying crypto, plus any card processing fees from your bank.
Once your purchase completes:
Your balance will update to show ETH
The amount will be displayed in both ETH and USD
You'll see the transaction in your Activity tab
Your crypto is now ready to use or hold
Note: You don't need to fund your wallet to receive donations on CryptoWish! Supporters send directly to your address, and you'll receive their crypto regardless of your current balance.
Your Base wallet is fully set up! Here's how to prepare for connecting it to CryptoWish:
Create a secure document with:
BASE WALLET INFORMATION
-----------------------
Wallet Address: 0x[your full address]
Network: Base
Recovery Email: [your recovery email]
Recovery Phone: [your recovery phone]
2FA Method: [Authenticator/SMS/Email]
Date Created: [today's date]
Store this document:
In an encrypted note app
In your password manager
In secure cloud storage (with strong password)
Never in plain text on your desktop
Want to see how receiving works before going live?
Get a small amount of crypto from a friend or faucet (free crypto for testing)
Share your wallet address with the sender
Wait for the transaction (usually under 1 minute on Base)
Check your balance – it should update automatically
View transaction details in your Activity tab
This gives you confidence that everything works before promoting your CryptoWish profile.
When supporters send you crypto:
They pay a tiny network fee (gas) – usually $0.01 or less on Base
This fee goes to the blockchain network, not to you or CryptoWish
Base's fees are 10-100x cheaper than regular Ethereum
When you send or transfer crypto:
You'll pay similar small fees
Always keep a tiny amount of ETH in your wallet for gas
$1-2 worth of ETH can cover dozens of transactions on Base
Base wallet uses industry-standard security:
Smart contract wallet technology
Multi-signature protection
Social recovery options
Backed by Coinbase's infrastructure
However, YOU are responsible for:
Keeping your login credentials secure
Not sharing recovery information
Recognizing phishing attempts
Using strong passwords and 2FA
With Base smart wallet:
Use your recovery methods (email, phone, trusted contact)
Log in from a new device
Your wallet and funds are accessible again
This is why setting up multiple recovery options is critical!
Yes! Your Base wallet works with:
Any dApp (decentralized application)
DeFi platforms
NFT marketplaces
Other crypto services
Multiple blockchains (Ethereum, Polygon, etc.)
It's not limited to CryptoWish.
Base
is built ON TOP of Ethereum (Layer 2)
Base transactions are faster and cheaper
Base is fully compatible with Ethereum
Your wallet address works on both networks
You can bridge assets between them anytime
Think of Base as the "express lane" version of Ethereum.
For just RECEIVING crypto: NO
You can receive without any ID verification
Your wallet works anonymously
For BUYING crypto in the wallet: YES
Regulations require ID for purchasing with fiat currency
One-time verification process
Only needed if you want to buy crypto directly
🚫 Your recovery phrase or seed words (Base wallet doesn't use these anyway)
🚫 Your password or login credentials
🚫 Your 2FA backup codes
🚫 Your private keys
🚫 You to send crypto to verify your account
If anyone claiming to be from CryptoWish or Coinbase asks for this information, it's a scam. Report it immediately.
⚠️ Urgent messages requesting immediate action
⚠️ Too-good-to-be-true promises of free crypto
⚠️ Requests to connect your wallet to unknown sites
⚠️ Emails with suspicious links or attachments
⚠️ Social media DMs offering support
Always verify URLs before entering any information. The official CryptoWish domain is cryptowish.link.
✅ Bookmark the official CryptoWish URL
✅ Never share your screen when wallet is open
✅ Log out when using shared/public computers
✅ Keep your browser and extension updated
✅ Review transaction details before confirming
✅ Start with small amounts when testing
Congratulations! You've successfully set up your Base wallet. You're now ready to:
Create your CryptoWish profile
and connect your wallet
Build your wishlist
with items your supporters can fund
Share your profile
with your community
Start receiving
crypto donations directly to your wallet
Your Base wallet will work seamlessly with CryptoWish, allowing supporters to send you gifts with just a few clicks.
You're all set! Your Base wallet is ready for CryptoWish. Time to start receiving support from your community.
CryptoWish – Empowering creators through decentralized giving
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The easiest way to receive crypto payments for your wishlist and spin-the-wheel experiences.