Crypto Wallet Setup

Introduction: Your Gateway to PRC Coin

So you’re sold on the idea of PRC Coin and ready to dive in – great! The first step in using any cryptocurrency, including PRC, is having a crypto wallet. A wallet is a digital tool that lets you store, send, and receive your coins. If PRC Coin is like the digital money for campus life, a crypto wallet is like your digital purse or bank account. In this guide, we’ll help you set up a wallet and get comfortable with it, even if you’ve never used crypto before. We’ll focus on four wallets that PRC Technologies recommends and partners with: MetaMask, Rainbow, Coinbase Wallet, and WalletConnect (the last one is a bit different – we’ll explain). Don’t worry – you don’t need all of them; just pick one that suits you. All of these are free to use.

By the end of this guide, you should feel “educated enough to buy” and use PRC Coin, without feeling bogged down by technical details. We’re using best practices and a friendly tone to walk you through it. Let’s start by briefly introducing each wallet option and why it might be a good fit for you.

Wallet Options for PRC Coin

1. MetaMask – The Popular Standard: MetaMask is one of the most widely used crypto wallets in the world, especially for Ethereum-based tokens (which PRC Coin is). It comes as a browser extension and a mobile app. If you’ve heard anything about crypto wallets, you’ve probably heard of MetaMask. It’s often the go-to choice for interacting with decentralized apps. As of early 2024, MetaMask has reported over 30 million monthly active users, which speaks to its reliability and popularity. If you like the idea of using something that lots of people use (meaning plenty of tutorials, support, and community), MetaMask is a safe bet. On a computer, you can install it as an extension to Chrome, Firefox, or other browsers, which then lets you connect to web apps (like PRC’s platform) in one click. On mobile, the MetaMask app can act as both a wallet and a browser for crypto apps.

2. Rainbow – User-Friendly for Beginners: Rainbow is a newer Ethereum wallet that has gained a loyal following for its beautiful design and ease of use. It’s mobile-only (iOS and Android) and is often praised for being friendly to crypto newbies. Reviews frequently highlight Rainbow’s “smooth user interface” and how “easy to navigate” it is for beginners. In fact, one review summarized: “Rainbow wallet offers a user-friendly experience, making it a good choice for managing Ethereum and Ethereum-based tokens.”. If you’re someone who appreciates good design or feels a bit intimidated by the tech, Rainbow might make the experience more fun. It also has cool features like showing your NFT collectibles (if you ever get into digital art) and letting you swap between tokens right inside the app.

3. Coinbase Wallet – Trusted Name in Crypto: Coinbase Wallet is different from the regular Coinbase app (which is a crypto exchange). Coinbase Wallet is a standalone app that lets you self-custody your crypto. It’s backed by Coinbase, the largest U.S. crypto exchange, a company with over 100 million users worldwide. That backing gives a sense of security and trust – you’re dealing with a well-known brand in the crypto space. Coinbase Wallet works with Ethereum and many other networks; it can store PRC Coin and also lets you access decentralized apps. For someone who already has a Coinbase account, using Coinbase Wallet might feel more seamless, especially since you can link the two and transfer funds easily. It’s available as a mobile app and also as a browser extension. If you value a familiar name and integration with an exchange (for converting back to cash, etc.), Coinbase Wallet is a strong choice.

4. WalletConnect – Connect Any Wallet to Apps: WalletConnect is a bit different – it’s not a wallet itself, but a protocol that helps wallets talk to applications. When PRC’s platform says “Connect Wallet”, and you see an option for WalletConnect, that means you can use WalletConnect to link, say, your Rainbow or Coinbase Wallet on your phone to the PRC web app on your computer. WalletConnect supports over 500 different wallet apps and thousands of decentralized applications. Think of it as a universal adapter. If you use a WalletConnect-compatible wallet (like Rainbow, MetaMask, Trust Wallet, etc.), you can scan a QR code on the PRC website and securely connect your wallet to make payments or interact with the platform. The good news is all the wallets mentioned above (MetaMask, Rainbow, Coinbase Wallet) can use WalletConnect if needed. So, you might not need to do anything extra to use WalletConnect – just be aware it’s there to bridge your wallet with the PRC system. WalletConnect is very secure and widely adopted; it has facilitated hundreds of millions of connections between wallets and apps. We’ll touch on how to use it in context below.

Setting Up Your Crypto Wallet (General Steps)

No matter which wallet you choose, the setup steps are quite similar. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll typically do. We’ll keep it high-level to avoid overwhelming you, but we’ll mention any wallet-specific notes where relevant:

Step 1: Download or Install the Wallet

• Mobile users: If you prefer using your phone, go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and download the wallet app you want (MetaMask, Rainbow, or Coinbase Wallet). Make sure it’s the official one (check the developer name and reviews). For instance, Rainbow’s official app is by “Rainbow Studios”, MetaMask’s by “ConsenSys”, etc.
• Desktop users: If you want to use your computer, you can install MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet as a browser extension. Visit their official website (e.g., metamask.io or coinbase.com/wallet) and it will direct you to the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons to install. Note: Rainbow does not have a desktop app (mobile only). If you use Rainbow, you’ll primarily operate on your phone and use WalletConnect to link to web apps when needed.

Step 2: Create a New Wallet
Once installed, open the app or extension. You’ll usually see a button like “Get Started” or “Create New Wallet.” Tapping that will begin the wallet creation process. You may be asked to set a password (especially for browser extensions). Choose a strong password that you won’t forget. This password is to unlock your wallet on your device; it is not the final backup (that comes next).

Step 3: Secure Your Secret Recovery Phrase (Seed Phrase)
This is the most important part. After initial setup, the wallet will generate a secret recovery phrase (also called a “seed phrase”). This is typically 12 or 24 random words. For example, it might show you words like: “garden, movie, saddle, green, highway, …” (up to 24). Write these words down on paper, in order, exactly as given. Do not skip this step! These words are the master key to your wallet. If you ever lose access to your phone/computer, you can reinstall the wallet on a new device and input this phrase to recover your funds. Conversely, if someone else gets these words, they can steal all your coins – so treat the seed phrase like a million-dollar password.

All reputable wallets, including MetaMask, Rainbow, and Coinbase Wallet, will prompt you to back up these words. Some might even quiz you by asking you to tap the words in the correct order to confirm you saved them. Follow the instructions and store the written phrase in a safe place (not just on a screenshot or email, which could be hacked – physical paper in a secure location is best practice). As WalletConnect and others are just protocols, this mainly applies to the actual wallet apps.

Step 4: Add PRC Coin to Your Wallet (if necessary)
Now you have a wallet – great! But by default, wallets like MetaMask or Rainbow might only show the main cryptocurrency (like ETH for Ethereum) until you add custom tokens. PRC Coin is likely an ERC-20 token on Ethereum (or another chain). You will need the contract address of PRC Coin to add it to your wallet so it displays your PRC balance. This address is a long string of letters/numbers (something like 0x1234…ABCD). You can get it from PRC’s official site or documentation. In your wallet app, look for an option like “Add Token” or “Add Custom Asset.” Paste the PRC Coin contract address there. The wallet should auto-fill the token name (PRC) and decimals. Confirm to add it. After this, your wallet will explicitly show “PRC” in the list of assets alongside any other crypto you have.

MetaMask, for example, has an “Import tokens” feature at the bottom of the asset list. Coinbase Wallet might have a “+” to add token by address. Rainbow has many tokens pre-listed, but if PRC isn’t automatically recognized yet, you’d do a custom token addition similarly. This step ensures that when you receive PRC Coins, they’ll be visible in your wallet app.

Step 5: Fund Your Wallet (Get PRC Coin)
A wallet with nothing in it isn’t much fun – you’ll need to acquire some PRC Coins. There are a few ways this could happen:

• From the PRC Platform: Easiest for many will be using PRC’s own app or website. As mentioned earlier, PRC likely allows you to purchase PRC Coin via credit card or bank transfer. Essentially, you’d pay dollars and the platform would send PRC Coins to your wallet. If you’re a parent funding a student, you might do this through the platform’s interface while specifying your student’s wallet address.
• Transfers from Others: If someone you know already has PRC Coins (say the university or a friend), they can send coins to your wallet address. Every wallet has a public address (a long hex string) which you can share for receiving funds. Copy your wallet’s address and give it to the sender. For example, MetaMask’s address starts with “0x…” and you can copy it by clicking on the account name.
• Crypto Exchange (if available): In the future, PRC Coin might be listed on popular exchanges. If so, one could buy PRC on an exchange and withdraw to their wallet. This is more advanced and not necessary if the platform offers direct purchase.

Either way, once you have PRC Coins coming your way, you’ll see them appear in your wallet. If using PRC’s app to buy, they might even handle the wallet creation and funding in one go for newcomers, crediting an internal wallet that you then connect via WalletConnect. But having your own self-custody wallet gives you more control (you hold the keys).

Step 6: Practice a Transaction (Optional)
To build confidence, you might try a small test transaction. For instance, if you are a parent who just got PRC Coins, you might send a tiny amount (like 1 PRC Coin) to your student’s wallet to make sure everything is working. Or a student might send 0.5 PRC to a friend just to see how it works (maybe to split a lunch bill). Open the “Send” function in your wallet, enter the recipient’s wallet address (double-check it; wallets often let you scan a QR code of the address to avoid errors), enter a small amount and hit send. You’ll likely be asked to confirm a network fee (if on Ethereum mainnet, there might be a gas fee in ETH, but PRC’s platform might utilize a side-chain or provide gas in the app for you – details may vary). Once sent, the transaction typically finalizes within seconds to a minute. Congratulations – you’ve transacted in PRC Coin!

Using WalletConnect with Your Wallet

If you’re using a mobile wallet like Rainbow or Coinbase Wallet and need to connect to the PRC web app on a computer, WalletConnect is your friend. Here’s how a typical WalletConnect session works:

1. On your computer, go to the PRC platform’s website (for example, a dashboard where you pay bills or manage funds). Click on “Connect Wallet” or similar. Choose the WalletConnect option (often represented by a QR code icon or the WalletConnect logo).
2. The site will display a QR code on the screen.
3. Open your mobile wallet app. Find the option for WalletConnect – on Rainbow, you might go to settings and tap “WalletConnect”; on Coinbase Wallet, there’s a QR scanner in the app; on MetaMask mobile, there’s “WalletConnect” in the menu as well.
4. Use the wallet app to scan the QR code on the computer screen. This will securely connect your mobile wallet to the web application via an encrypted linkcoingecko.com.
5. After scanning, your computer browser will typically show that the wallet is connected (it might display your wallet address partially, indicating success).
6. Now, when you initiate a transaction on the website (say, paying a campus fee through PRC Coin), your mobile wallet will prompt you to approve the transaction. This is great for security: even though you’re using the website on a computer, no transactions happen without you confirming on your phone.
7. You review the details in the wallet app and confirm. The transaction then proceeds, and you’ll see a confirmation on both the website and in your app once it’s done.

WalletConnect essentially lets you enjoy the comfort of a big-screen web interface while keeping your private keys safe on your phone. It’s widely adopted – over “6,000 dApps and 500+ wallets” use WalletConnectcoingecko.com – so you can trust its robustness. And remember, you can disconnect at any time via your wallet app (it usually shows active connections; just hit “Disconnect” when you’re done).

Best Practices and Tips for Wallet Safety

Before we wrap up, here are a few quick dos and don’ts to ensure your crypto wallet remains secure:

• DO keep your recovery phrase safe – We said it before, but it’s worth repeating. That phrase is your lifeline. Never share it with anyone, not even tech support. Legitimate support will never ask for it. Scammers might!
• DO enable extra security – If your wallet app offers two-factor authentication or biometric lock (fingerprint/Face ID), use it. MetaMask, for instance, can be set to require a password each time you open it or even integrate with hardware wallets for the ultra-cautious.
• DON’T fall for phishing – Be wary of fake websites or apps. Only download from official sources. If a website asks you to input your seed phrase for any reason (outside of initially restoring your wallet), it’s a red flag. Only enter your seed phrase inside your wallet app when you are intentionally recovering a wallet.
• DO double-check transactions – When sending coins, always double-check the recipient address. Crypto transactions are irreversible. A good practice is to verify the first 4–5 characters and last 4–5 of the address you paste, to ensure they match the intended recipient. For example: 0xABCD…WXYZ.
• DON’T panic with network fees – If you notice a small amount of ETH is needed for gas (transaction fee) and you don’t have any, PRC’s system might cover it or you might need to deposit a few dollars of ETH. Plan for this if using Ethereum main network. PRC might use an off-chain or sidechain solution for most transactions to minimize gas costs (like an internal ledger or Layer-2 network), in which case you won’t feel much of Ethereum’s fees. Pay attention to PRC’s guidance on this.
• DO keep your app updated – Wallet developers like MetaMask and Rainbow regularly update for security and new features. Update your app to the latest version when available, so you have the latest protections (for instance, MetaMask added a security feature to warn about phishing transactionsblockworks.coblockworks.co).

Ready, Set, Transact!

With your wallet set up and these tips in mind, you’re now ready to confidently manage PRC Coin. Whether you are a parent loading up coins for your college kid, a student checking your balance before heading to the bookstore, or a university administrator receiving funds, the wallet is your portal into the PRC Coin world. And thanks to the user-focused design of wallets like Rainbow and the widespread adoption of tools like MetaMask and WalletConnect, this process is smoother than ever in 2025.

If at any point you’re unsure, you can refer back to this guide, or consult the PRC Coin website’s support section. Crypto wallets might seem foreign at first, but many people find that after the first few transactions, it “clicks” and feels as easy as using a banking app. In fact, nearly 52% of Millennials and 48% of Gen Z have owned cryptocurrency, and part of that is because wallets have become much more user-friendly over time. You’re joining a growing community of folks taking control of their finances through crypto.

Now go ahead and enjoy the benefits of PRC Coin. Pay those campus fees with a tap, split dinner with friends through a quick coin transfer, and relish in the fact that you’re helping pioneer a more efficient financial system at your university. With PRC Coin and your new wallet, you’re not just adopting a new technology – you’re part of a movement to change how we fund and spend for education. Happy transacting!

Sources: blockworks.co | en.wikipedia.org | cryptovantage.com | coingecko.com