> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cantonfoundation-external-snippet-helper-copy.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How Canton Wallets Differ from Web3 Wallets

> Understanding the key differences between Canton and traditional crypto wallets

Canton wallets work differently from Web3 wallets like MetaMask. This page explains the key differences and what they mean for users and developers.

## Fundamental Differences

| Aspect                  | Web3 Wallets            | Canton Wallets                                         |
| ----------------------- | ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Data visibility**     | Balances public         | Balances private                                       |
| **Transaction privacy** | All transactions public | Only you see your transactions                         |
| **Network model**       | Connect to any RPC      | Connect to the validator with your party               |
| **Identity**            | Pseudonymous address    | Party identifier                                       |
| **Transfer model**      | Single-step send        | Single-step or multi-step (pre-approvals, allocations) |

## Privacy Model

### Web3: Public by Default

On Ethereum, your wallet:

* Has a public address anyone can see
* Shows balance to anyone who queries
* All transactions visible on block explorers
* Transaction patterns analyzable

```
Anyone can query: 0x123...abc has 45.67 ETH
Anyone can see: 0x123...abc sent 5 ETH to 0x456...def
```

### Canton: Private by Default

On Canton, your wallet:

* Has a party identifier visible only to you
* Balance visible only to you (and entitled parties)
* Transactions visible only to participants
* No public transaction history

```
Only you can see: Your party has 100 CC
Only participants see: You transferred 20 CC to another party
```

## Transfer Capabilities

Canton wallets support transfer patterns not possible in traditional wallets.

### Multi-Step Transfers

Traditional transfer: Send X now.

Canton supports complex workflows:

| Pattern           | Description                              |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| **Pre-approvals** | Authorize future transfers up to a limit |
| **Allocations**   | Reserve tokens for specific purposes     |
| **DvP**           | Atomic delivery-vs-payment exchanges     |
| **Conditional**   | Transfers triggered by conditions        |

### Pre-Approvals

Allow another party to withdraw up to a certain amount:

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
    A[Alice] --> |pre-approve 100 CC| B[Bob]
    B --> |withdraw 50 CC when needed| A

    Note[Bob can withdraw up to 100 CC<br>without Alice's per-transaction approval]
```

**Use cases:**

* Subscription payments
* Recurring transfers
* Automated application flows

### Allocations

Reserve tokens for a specific purpose:

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart TB
    WALLET[Your Wallet<br>100 CC]
    ALLOC[Allocated<br>30 CC for Trade]
    FREE[Available<br>70 CC]

    WALLET --> ALLOC
    WALLET --> FREE
```

**Use cases:**

* Trade settlement
* Escrow arrangements
* Multi-step workflows

### Delivery vs. Payment (DvP)

Atomic exchange of different assets:

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
    subgraph Atomic[Single Atomic Transaction]
        A1[Alice sends CC] --> |atomic| B1[Bob sends Asset]
    end

    Note[Either both happen or neither happens]
```

**Why this matters:**

* No settlement risk
* No trust required between parties
* Complex exchanges in single transaction

## Connection Model

### Web3: Any RPC

Web3 wallets connect to any compatible RPC endpoint:

* Infura, Alchemy, or self-hosted
* Can switch providers freely
* Any node can answer queries

### Canton: Your Validator

Canton wallets connect to a specific validator:

* The validator hosting your party
* Can't freely switch (party is hosted somewhere specific)
* Only your validator has your data

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart TB
    subgraph Web3[Web3 Model]
        W1[Wallet] --> RPC1[RPC 1]
        W1 --> RPC2[RPC 2]
        W1 --> RPC3[Any RPC]
    end

    subgraph Canton[Canton Model]
        W2[Wallet] --> VAL[Your Validator]
        VAL --> |hosts| PARTY[Your Party]
    end
```

## Identity Model

### Web3: Address-Based

* Address derived from public key
* Anyone can generate addresses
* Pseudonymous (address is identity)

### Canton: Party-Based

* Party identifier tied to validator hosting
* Party creation involves validator
* Not pseudonymous in the same way

<Note>
  For local parties (where the validator holds the keys), the validator signs on behalf of the party. For external parties, keys are held externally and require explicit signing.
</Note>

| Web3 Address                                 | Canton Party                                                                  |
| -------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc454e4438f44e` | `alice::1220f2fe29866fd6a0009ecc8a64ccdc09f1958bd0f801166baaee469d1251b2eb72` |

## Explorer Differences

### Web3: Global Explorer

Block explorers show all network activity:

* Any transaction
* Any address balance
* Any contract state

### Canton: Personal Explorer

Canton explorers show your activity:

* Your transactions only
* Your balances
* Your contracts

<Note>
  There's no equivalent of Etherscan showing all network transactions. This is by design—privacy is fundamental.
</Note>

## Implications for Users

| If you're used to...         | On Canton...                   |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| Checking any address balance | You can only check your own    |
| Viewing all transactions     | You see only your transactions |
| Connecting to any RPC        | You connect to your validator  |
| Simple send transactions     | You have more transfer options |

## Implications for Developers

| If you're building... | Consider...                            |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Wallet integration    | Use Wallet SDK for Canton patterns     |
| Transaction display   | Show only user's transactions          |
| Balance queries       | Query user's party only                |
| Multi-step workflows  | Leverage pre-approvals and allocations |

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Wallet for Developers" icon="code" href="/integrations/overview">
    Integrate wallet functionality into your app.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Token Standard" icon="coins" href="/overview/understand/cips-introduction">
    Understand the Canton Token Standard.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>