February 22, 2026
10 mins
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October 4, 2025
October 4, 2025
Web3 offers many opportunities for investors who know how to act early. Acting early means having access to opportunities before they are widely spread. In order to achieve the right timing, you need to be ready and prepared, and a fundamental part of that is having your wallet set up.
To participate in a presale, you need a Web3 wallet. Think of it as your access point to the crypto world. Many beginners feel intimidated at first, but once you understand how it works, a Web3 wallet can be even simpler than using a traditional finance app.
What really matters is timing. Opportunities in crypto are time-based, and presales happen within very short windows that can last 24 hours or just a few days. You need to have your wallet ready before the sale starts so you can register, contribute, and claim your tokens on time.
When you set up your wallet in advance, you are ready to act when an opportunity appears. Presales have strict timelines, from registering before the deadline to connecting your wallet to claiming tokens or even claiming a refund. If you wait until the last minute, you risk losing your spot.
Having everything ready also increases your chances of buying tokens at a discounted price. Getting in early is very different from waiting for a project to list on exchanges, where you face higher fees, sudden volatility, and missing the early multipliers that push projects forward.
Not preparing your wallet is one of the biggest mistakes beginners make. For example, you might forget your password or misplace your seed phrase. You may not have your wallet funded in time, since moving money from fiat can take longer than expected. Many users also run into network mismatches, or they forget to hold a small balance for gas fees.
All of these issues can be avoided by setting up your wallet early, testing that it works, and making sure it is backed up and funded before the presale even begins.
There are two main types of wallets in crypto.
Hot wallets are applications or browser extensions like Metamask, Trust Wallet, or Phantom, which are used for quick transactions. Cold wallets are physical devices, such as Ledger or Trezor, which are better for storing larger amounts safely.
For presales, hot wallets are the most practical since they connect directly to launchpads and pre-sale platforms. Multi-chain wallets like Metamask or Trust Wallet can be used across different blockchains, while native wallets like Phantom for Solana or Keplr for Cosmos are specific to a single network.
Cold wallets work more like a safe. If you plan to hold tokens long term, moving them to a hardware wallet is a good idea. But for presale participation, always use your own non-custodial wallet and never an exchange wallet. In exchanges, you do not really own your tokens, which goes against the entire point of Web3.
When you buy tokens through a crypto launchpad or presale website, you will always find the project timelines posted on the page. Part of this timeline is the claim period, which will also be announced through the project’s social media and official website. It is important to check these updates regularly and take note of the dates.
When the claim period opens, you simply connect the same wallet you used for the contribution. This can be done by entering your secure password on the browser extension or approving the connection through the app on your phone. Once connected, claiming your tokens is automatic and only takes a click.
For presales, always use a non-custodial wallet, meaning a wallet you control directly. This can be a multi-chain wallet like Trust Wallet or Metamask, or a native blockchain wallet, depending on which network the project is using.
We already have a full article on how to access tokens at an early stage, which you can check out here. In simple terms, you need to look for opportunities and decide which route is best, whether ICOs, IDOs, or other models. You can also read our blog comparing ICOs and IDOs for more details.
Presales involve risk, just like any financial tool. Some projects may not deliver, and tokens can be volatile after launch. Always do your own research and create a strategy before committing. For a deeper dive, check our dedicated article on presale risks when using a launchpad.
Choose the wallet type that fits the blockchain you want to use. It can be a multi-chain wallet like Metamask or Trust Wallet, or a native blockchain wallet. When you create your wallet, you will receive a seed phrase. Write it down and store it safely offline.
Each presale takes place on a specific blockchain. Your wallet allows you to switch networks. Make sure you select the right one before sending funds, or your tokens could be lost.
To see your tokens in your wallet after claiming, you may need to add the token’s contract address manually. Always copy it from the official source. Using the wrong address means your tokens will not appear and may be unrecoverable.
You need to have the required tokens ready in your wallet, whether ETH, BNB, USDC, or others. Fund your wallet ahead of time through a centralized or decentralized exchange, and keep a small balance for gas fees.
Never share your seed phrase. No exchange or platform will ever ask for it. If a website or message requests it, it is a scam. Only use official links shared by the project itself.
Use secure browsers like Firefox or Brave. Protect your accounts with a private email provider such as Proton. Store your seed phrase offline and avoid keeping it on your phone or computer.
For presales, always use your own non-custodial wallet. Connect only through official launchpads or the project’s website, and double-check the URL before approving any transaction.
The safest option is a non-custodial wallet. A multi-chain wallet like Metamask or Trust Wallet works for most projects, while a native wallet may be needed for specific blockchains.
Participating in token presales is easier once you understand the basic steps. Now that you know how to set up and use your wallet, you are ready to take part in early opportunities.
At CoinTerminal, we host the first and only open-access launchpad in Web3. Our sales are refundable, non-token-gated, and easy to join: just complete KYC, connect your wallet, and you are in. With contributions of 250 USDT or more, you are also automatically entered into our $5,000 monthly lottery, even if you later request a refund. Check our active IDO sales today.
This article is for educational purposes only. It is a general guide for founders and users navigating the Web3 space. It does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decisions.If you want to learn more about raising funds or which IDOs to look into, our team is here to help. Feel free to reach out to us on Telegram at any time.
