TL;DR
Follow these five steps to get started with Valora and the world of crypto:
- Download the Valora app to your smartphone like you would any other app.
- Complete an account setup that includes your name, phone number, and a PIN.
- Set up your wallet’s recovery phrase and store it somewhere safe.
- Add funds to your wallet directly through the Valora app or from another wallet.
- Begin exploring dapps in Valora.
Valora is an all-in-one smartphone app designed to make getting started in crypto as easy as possible.
With Valora you get a unique self-custody crypto wallet that allows you to hold, send, receive, and trade cryptocurrencies, as well as participate in decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and much more. You are in control of all your crypto assets unlike a centralized exchange where you don’t actually hold custody of your crypto.
If you’re ready to join the next technology revolution, here’s how to easily start with Valora.
5 steps to start using Valora
1. Download and install the Valora app on iOS or Android
Getting started with Valora is just like any other app on your smartphone. Just download and install it from either the iOS App Store or Google Play.
2. Valora account setup
After you’ve downloaded and opened the app, complete your wallet setup by doing the following:
- Fill in your name and phone number.
- Create a PIN. Make your PIN both memorable and not easy to guess. You’ll need your PIN each time you make a transaction. Also note that Valora’s default setting allows you to open the app without entering your PIN or any other password. If you’d like to change this, click the side menu, then “Settings”, and select “Require PIN on App Open”.
- Connect your phone number, and sync your contact information. By connecting your phone number, you’ll be able to send funds to friends and family via their phone numbers.
3. Set up and secure your recovery phrase (critical).
Next, you’ll want to set up and secure your wallet’s recovery phrase. This is important, so don’t skip this step.
Your recovery phrase is the master password that controls your entire wallet. With the recovery phrase, you can recover your wallet in the event that you lose your phone or PIN. But this also means that you must keep your recovery phrase in a secure and private location, because your funds can be stolen if your phrase falls into the wrong hands.
To set up your recovery phrase, click the side menu and then select “Recovery Phrase”. The app will then produce your wallet’s unique 12 word recovery phrase. Write this phrase down on paper exactly as you see it, and then store the paper in a safe place. Do not save your phrase in any digital format, like on your phone, computer, or email.
We’ve shared 8 ways to keep your recovery phrase safe before, please read this and use it to your benefit.
4. Depositing funds into your Valora wallet directly through the app or with another wallet
Now that your wallet is set up and secure, it’s time to add funds to it. There’s a few ways you can do this.
1 - The first option is funding directly through the Valora app. On the home screen, click the “Add” button. Then select the asset you want to add, the amount, and payment method. From there, Valora will redirect you to an external webpage where you can complete the purchase.
2 - The second option is with another crypto wallet. This might be a stand-alone crypto wallet that you already own, or an account you have with a centralized crypto exchange like Binance or Coinbase. To get started, click the “Receive” button on your Valora app’s home screen. Copy the deposit address, and then send funds from your other wallet or account to your Valora deposit address.
Pro Tip: To make sure your transaction is valid it is advised to send a small test amount first and then a larger amount once the test is confirmed successful.
5. How to explore and use dapps in Valora
Now it’s time for the fun part!
After your account is funded, you’re ready to begin exploring all the decentralized applications (dapps) available to you on Valora. This means that DeFi, retail purchases, trading, NFTs, and more are all easily accessible to you.
You can find all the dapps in one place on the Valora app by opening the side menu and selecting “Dapps”. From there, you can search for specific dapps, explore via categories, or browse the entire availability list.
When you find a dapp you want to try out, just tap on it, and you’ll be redirected to an external webpage to use the dapp. From there, dapps have a button that allows you to connect your Valora wallet to begin transacting. Once you connect your Valora wallet, you’re ready to begin using the dapp.
If you want to know how to use a specific dapp within our wallet, feel free to browse through our blog articles about our dapps where we cover some of the most popular ones!
Conclusion
As you can see, Valora makes getting started with crypto easy.
With just a few steps you can go from a complete crypto beginner to having your own wallet that’s connected to a wide range of the best dapps within the Celo ecosystem. That’s quite an accomplishment that anyone can do in just five steps!
And if you need any other introductory resources, you can find simple crypto explainers here.
Download Valora and start exploring today!
