Creating Your First Wallet

This guide will walk you through creating your first eckoWALLET account step by step. The process is similar for both the browser extension and mobile app.

Before You Begin

Before creating your wallet, ensure you have:

  • ✅ Installed eckoWALLET (see Installation & Setup)

  • ✅ A secure location to store your recovery phrase (physical paper recommended)

  • ✅ A strong password ready (at least 8 characters, including uppercase, lowercase, and numbers)

  • ✅ 5-10 minutes of uninterrupted time

Important: Your recovery phrase is the master key to your wallet. Anyone with access to it can access your funds. Never share it with anyone, and store it securely offline.

Step-by-Step Wallet Creation

Step 1: Open eckoWALLET

Browser Extension:

  • Click the eckoWALLET icon in your browser toolbar

  • Or click the puzzle icon and select eckoWALLET from the extensions menu

Mobile App:

  • Open the eckoWALLET app on your device

Step 2: Choose "Create New Wallet"

When you first open eckoWALLET, you'll see two options:

  • Create New Wallet - Choose this option

  • Restore Existing Wallet - Use this if you already have a recovery phrase

Click or tap on "Create New Wallet" to begin.

Step 3: Set Your Password

You'll be prompted to create a password for your wallet.

Password Requirements:

  • Minimum 8 characters

  • Include uppercase and lowercase letters

  • Include at least one number

  • Include special characters (recommended)

Password Tips:

  • Use a unique password you don't use elsewhere

  • Consider using a password manager

  • Write it down and store it securely

  • You'll need this password every time you open the wallet

  1. Enter your password in the first field

  2. Re-enter the same password in the confirmation field

  3. Click "Continue" or "Next"

Security Note: This password encrypts your wallet data locally. It cannot be recovered if lost, so make sure to remember it or store it securely.

Step 4: Save Your Recovery Phrase

This is the most critical step in wallet creation.

What is a Recovery Phrase?

Your recovery phrase (also called a seed phrase or mnemonic) is a 12-word phrase that serves as the master key to your wallet. It's used to:

  • Restore your wallet if you lose access to your device

  • Recover your wallet if you forget your password

  • Import your wallet on a new device

Viewing Your Recovery Phrase

  1. eckoWALLET will display your 12-word recovery phrase

  2. Write down each word in the exact order shown

  3. Use pen and paper (recommended) - don't store digitally

Best Practices for Storing Your Recovery Phrase

DO:

  • Write it down on paper with pen

  • Store it in a secure, fireproof location

  • Consider making multiple copies stored in different locations

  • Use a metal crypto storage solution for long-term storage

  • Keep it completely private

DON'T:

  • Take a screenshot or photo

  • Store it in a cloud service (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, etc.)

  • Email it to yourself

  • Store it in a password manager (debatable, but generally not recommended for high-value accounts)

  • Share it with anyone, including support staff

Download Recovery Phrase (Optional)

eckoWALLET offers a "Download" option for your recovery phrase:

  • This saves it as a text file on your device

  • Only use this temporarily to help with verification

  • Delete the file immediately after you've written it down

  • Never leave it on your computer

Step 5: Verify Your Recovery Phrase

To ensure you've correctly recorded your recovery phrase, eckoWALLET will ask you to verify it.

  1. You'll be shown blank spaces for all 12 words

  2. Enter each word in the correct order

  3. Click "Verify" or "Continue"

Common Issues:

  • Word not recognized: Check spelling and ensure you're using the exact word shown

  • Wrong order: Recovery phrases must be entered in the exact order given

  • Autocomplete problems: Manually type each word rather than copying/pasting

If verification fails:

  • Go back and review your written recovery phrase

  • Re-enter the words carefully

  • Contact support if you continue having issues (they cannot see or recover your phrase)

Step 6: Create Your First Account

After verifying your recovery phrase, eckoWALLET will automatically create your first Kadena account.

Account Details

Your first account will have:

  • Account Name: A unique identifier starting with "k:" followed by your public key (e.g., k:a1b2c3...xyz789)

  • Alias: A friendly name you can customize (default: "Account 1")

  • Public Key: Used to receive funds

  • Private Key: Encrypted and stored securely, never shared

Understanding Your Account Name

Kadena accounts follow the format: k:{publicKey}

  • The "k:" prefix indicates a single-key account

  • The public key is a 64-character hexadecimal string

  • This is your address that others use to send you KDA and tokens

Step 7: Customize Your Account (Optional)

You can customize your account alias for easy identification:

  1. Click on the account name or alias field

  2. Enter a friendly name (e.g., "Main Account", "Savings", "Trading")

  3. This name is only visible to you and helps organize multiple accounts

Step 8: Wallet Setup Complete!

Congratulations! Your eckoWALLET is now set up and ready to use.

What's Next?

Now that you've created your wallet, here are the recommended next steps:

1. Fund Your Wallet

Learn how to receive KDA from exchanges or other wallets:

2. Explore Security Features

Enhance your wallet security:

3. Create Additional Accounts

You can create multiple accounts from the same recovery phrase:

4. Learn About Kadena

Understand how Kadena accounts work:

5. Start Transacting

Once your wallet is funded:

Important Security Reminders

Your Recovery Phrase

  • ✅ Stored securely offline

  • ✅ Never shared with anyone

  • ✅ Written down correctly and verified

  • ✅ Backed up in multiple secure locations

Your Password

  • ✅ Strong and unique

  • ✅ Stored securely

  • ✅ Never shared with anyone

General Security

  • ✅ Only access eckoWALLET from official sources

  • ✅ Never enter your recovery phrase on websites

  • ✅ Be cautious of phishing attempts

  • ✅ Keep your device and browser updated

Creating Additional Accounts

After creating your first wallet, you can create multiple accounts:

From the Same Recovery Phrase (HD Wallet)

eckoWALLET uses hierarchical deterministic (HD) wallet technology, which means:

  • One recovery phrase can generate unlimited accounts

  • Each account is derived using a different path

  • All accounts can be restored from the same 12-word phrase

To create additional accounts:

  1. Open eckoWALLET

  2. Click on the account dropdown or "Accounts" section

  3. Click "Create Account" or the "+" button

  4. Your new account will be generated automatically

Account Types

eckoWALLET supports three types of accounts:

  1. Standard Accounts: Regular accounts secured by your password and recovery phrase

  2. Ledger Accounts: Connected to a Ledger hardware wallet for enhanced security

  3. SpireKey Accounts: Advanced accounts using WebAuthn authentication

Learn more in the Managing Accounts guide.

Troubleshooting

Can't remember password

Lost recovery phrase

  • If you still have access to your wallet, you can view it in settings:

    • Browser Extension: Click settings icon → Show Recovery Phrase → Enter password

    • Mobile App: Settings → Security → Show Recovery Phrase

  • If you've lost access: Recovery phrases cannot be recovered if lost

Account not showing balance

  • Kadena accounts exist on specific chains (0-19)

  • Your account needs to be funded on at least one chain

  • Some chains may show 0 balance until funded

  • Learn more about chains in Kadena Account Concepts

Verification failed

  • Ensure words are spelled exactly as shown

  • Check word order carefully

  • Some words may look similar (e.g., "through" vs "thorough")

  • Go back and review your written phrase

Frequently Asked Questions

Is eckoWALLET custodial or non-custodial?

eckoWALLET is non-custodial, meaning:

  • You have complete control of your funds

  • eckoWALLET does not have access to your recovery phrase or private keys

  • Only you can access or recover your wallet

  • You are fully responsible for securing your recovery phrase

Can eckoWALLET support recover my wallet?

No. eckoWALLET support cannot:

  • Access your recovery phrase

  • Reset your password

  • Recover lost funds

  • Access your wallet on your behalf

This is a security feature, not a limitation. Your wallet is truly yours alone.

Can I use the same wallet on multiple devices?

Yes! You can restore your wallet on:

  • Multiple browsers using the extension

  • Multiple mobile devices using the app

  • Both mobile and browser extension simultaneously

Use your recovery phrase to restore on each device (see Restoring an Existing Wallet).

How many accounts can I create?

Practically unlimited. Each recovery phrase can generate millions of accounts using different derivation paths.

Do I need to back up each account separately?

No! Your 12-word recovery phrase backs up all accounts created from it. Just keep that one phrase secure.

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