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Making a Paper Wallet

A paper wallet is a secure way to store your PAS offline. It consists of your mnemonic seed phrase and your public address printed on paper.

What is a Paper Wallet?​

A paper wallet contains:

  • Your mnemonic seed phrase - 25 words that restore your wallet
  • Your public address - Where you receive funds
  • Optionally: Your private keys for each address

Security Benefits​

  • Offline storage - Not connected to the internet
  • Immune to malware - No software vulnerabilities
  • Physical control - You control the physical paper
  • Long-term storage - Ideal for long-term holding

Risks​

  • Physical damage - Fire, water, wear, loss
  • Theft - Someone with the paper can access your funds
  • Human error - Losing or forgetting the seed phrase

Creating a Paper Wallet​

Using the Block Explorer​

The easiest way to create a paper wallet is using the Pastella Block Explorer:

  1. Visit the explorer
  2. Navigate to the Wallet Generator section
  3. Follow the instructions to generate a new wallet
  4. Print or write down your mnemonic seed phrase
  5. Print or write down your public address

Using CLI Tools​

If you have pastellad running:

# Create a new wallet
curl -X POST http://localhost:21001/createwallet

Save the response securely:

  • Write down the mnemonic on paper
  • Store the public address separately
  • Never store them together digitally

Best Practices​

Generating the Wallet​

  1. Use a clean, offline computer - Disconnect from internet
  2. Use a trusted printer - Or write by hand
  3. Generate in a secure location - Private room, no cameras
  4. Test with small amounts first - Verify everything works

Storing the Paper Wallet​

  1. Make multiple copies - Store in different secure locations
  2. Use waterproof bags - Protect from water damage
  3. Use a fireproof safe - Protect from fire
  4. Don't show to anyone - The mnemonic is the key to your funds
  5. Consider using a safety deposit box - For large amounts

Using the Paper Wallet​

  1. Sweep the funds - When you're ready to use the funds
  2. Use a fresh wallet - After sweeping, generate a new paper wallet
  3. Don't reuse addresses - For privacy and security

What to Include​

On your paper wallet, include:

Required​

  • Mnemonic seed phrase (25 words)
  • Public address (for receiving funds)

Optional​

  • Date created
  • Wallet creation date
  • Notes (e.g., "Hardware wallet backup", "Main savings")
  • Amount stored (for tracking)

Example Paper Wallet Layout​

===================
PASTELLA PAPER WALLET
===================

Date: February 19, 2025

Public Address (RECEIVING ADDRESS):
------------------------------------
PAS18z7m9DGbJFoVv6HiGoiwxNG5mLoniSEFWkguBKt59JSHPHjYaa

Seed Phrase (KEEP SECRET!):
-------------------------------
word1 word2 word3 word4 word5 word6 word7 word8 word9 word10
word11 word12 word13 word14 word15 word16 word17 word18 word19
word20 word21 word22 word23 word24 word25

NOTES:
- Never share the seed phrase with anyone
- This is the ONLY way to recover your wallet
- Store in a safe, dry place
- Check the address before sending large amounts

Recovery​

To recover your wallet from the paper:

curl -X POST http://localhost:21001/restorewallet \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"mnemonic": "word1 word2 ... word25"}'

Important Reminders​

  • ⚠️ Never share your mnemonic - Anyone with the mnemonic can access your funds
  • ⚠️ Make multiple backups - One fire can destroy everything
  • ⚠️ Test first - Send a small amount before storing significant funds
  • ⚠️ Use high-quality paper - Acid-free, archival quality
  • ⚠️ Laminating - Consider laminating for extra protection

Digital Backup (Advanced)​

For digital backup, consider:

  • Hardware wallet - Store the seed phrase on a hardware wallet
  • Encrypted storage - Use strong encryption for digital backups
  • Multiple locations - Distribute encrypted backups

Remember: Your mnemonic seed phrase is your cryptocurrency.