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# Account types

WalletChan separates *account identity* from *how an action is authorized*.
That is why the same dapp request can look identical at first but finish through
a different signing path. Bankr is an optional remote-signing account, not a
requirement for using WalletChan.

| Account | Where signing happens | Can sign? | Recovery responsibility |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Private key | Locally inside WalletChan | Yes | The imported private key |
| Seed phrase | Locally from the selected derived account | Yes | The seed phrase |
| Ledger | On the connected hardware device | Yes | Ledger device and Ledger recovery phrase |
| View-only | Nowhere | No | No signing secret is stored |
| Safe multisig | Through Safe proposal/owner approvals | Yes, after the Safe threshold is met | Safe owners and Safe configuration |
| Bankr | Bankr API | Yes, on supported networks/actions | Bankr account access and WalletChan password |

## Private key

Best for importing one existing EVM account. The encrypted key is stored
locally and decrypted only within an authorized session. See
[Private-key accounts](/accounts/private-key).

## Seed phrase

Best for a group of related HD wallet addresses. You can generate or import a
phrase, preview addresses, select multiple derivations, and derive more later.
See [Seed-phrase accounts](/accounts/seed-phrase).

## Ledger

Best when you want hardware-enforced signing. WalletChan stores public account
metadata and derivation information; the private key stays on the Ledger. See
[Ledger accounts](/accounts/ledger).

## View-only

Best for watching a treasury, public figure, contract, or another wallet you do
not control. It can receive prompts so you can inspect what a transaction would
do, but it must not reach a real signing/submission path. See
[View-only accounts](/accounts/view-only).

## Safe multisig

Best for shared control. WalletChan verifies Safe ownership on supported
networks, imports the Safe, shows proposals, and lets eligible owner accounts
propose, approve, or execute according to threshold. See
[Safe multisig accounts](/accounts/safe).

## Bankr

Best if you already use Bankr and want an optional remote-signing account plus
Bankr chat. Network and feature availability follows the Bankr API. See
[Bankr accounts](/accounts/bankr).

## Features vary by account

Signing, batching, swaps, fee tokens, nonce editing, replacement transactions,
and agent-password authorization can vary. Use [Wallet behavior by
account](/reference/account-behavior) before assuming a feature works the same
way for every signer.