Building a Wallet Like Phantom: What You Need to Know

The rise of self-custody wallets has reshaped how users interact with decentralized ecosystems. Among them, Phantom has gained significant traction—especially within the Solana ecosystem—for its clean UX, instant transaction confirmations, and native support for dApps and NFTs. As the demand for user-centric, secure, and scalable wallets continues to rise, more enterprises and startups are exploring the creation of similar solutions tailored to specific blockchain ecosystems.
Phantom's Appeal: More Than Just a Wallet
Phantom’s success isn’t only about being a Solana-native product. Its design solves common pain points for users:
Speed: Lightweight and swift onboarding process, even for crypto newcomers.
In-Wallet Experience: Seamless dApp integration and staking functionalities.
Security: Non-custodial with biometric access and private key encryption.
Multi-Platform Access: Available as a browser extension and mobile app.
These characteristics establish a new standard for what users now expect from next-gen crypto wallets.
Core Features to Consider
If you're exploring a similar build, here are the elements that have proven essential for modern wallet architecture:
Non-Custodial Architecture: Users retain control of their private keys—an industry must.
dApp Browser Integration: Simplified interactions with decentralized apps.
NFT Visualization: Built-in NFT display with metadata fetching.
Token Swapping: Native token swaps without leaving the wallet interface.
Multi-Chain Support: Even if Phantom began with Solana, wallet expansion across EVM and other chains is the emerging norm.
These features are not limited to user experience alone—they significantly influence retention and wallet-based transaction volumes.
Choosing the Right Blockchain Stack
The underlying blockchain will shape your wallet’s capabilities. While Phantom initially thrived on Solana, a growing number of Phantom-inspired wallets now support Ethereum, Polygon, and even Layer 2s like Arbitrum and Optimism.
The blockchain choice should align with:
Use Case (DeFi, NFTs, payments, etc.)
Transaction Speed & Cost
Ecosystem Compatibility
Developer Support & Documentation
A multi-chain roadmap from the start allows more flexibility and audience reach in the long run.
UI/UX Matters—Now More Than Ever
In the Web3 space, intuitive design can make or break a wallet product. Phantom succeeded by streamlining every action: from wallet creation to NFT transfers. Creating frictionless onboarding and in-app flows should be a non-negotiable design priority. Components such as biometric logins, clean token layouts, and real-time feedback on gas fees improve trust and usability.
AI Integration in Wallet Infrastructure
Modern wallets are moving beyond static interfaces. With the rise of AI Integration Services, crypto wallets can now embed smart assistants for helpdesk queries, transaction analysis, and fraud detection. Predictive analytics can also guide users in identifying high-risk dApps or alert them about suspicious wallet activity.
AI is becoming a silent enabler of smoother, more secure Web3 experiences.
Compliance and Security Layers
Any wallet handling digital assets must prioritize security. This includes:
End-to-End Encryption
MPC or Shamir’s Secret Sharing
Biometric or 2FA options
Regular audits of smart contracts and extensions
For regulated markets, integration of KYC/AML features without affecting UX is increasingly essential.
The Role of Development Partners
Bringing a Phantom-like wallet to life requires tight collaboration between product, design, blockchain engineering, and compliance teams. Working with a specialized Cryptocurrency Wallet Development Company can significantly reduce time-to-market and help meet complex security and scalability requirements.
Platforms like SoluLab’s Crypto Wallet Services exemplify how full-stack capabilities can streamline wallet development without compromising on features or security.
Cost, Timeline, and Scalability Considerations
While MVPs can be launched within 8–12 weeks, timelines expand with complexity. Integrating cross-chain swaps, staking, fiat onramps, or AI assistants adds additional layers to scope and budget. Future scalability—like multi-chain rollout or enterprise APIs—should be baked into the architectural blueprint from day one.
Use Cases: Who Should Build a Phantom-Like Wallet?
While Phantom served the Solana community, the model is highly adaptable:
DeFi Protocols: Native wallet to keep users within their ecosystem.
Gaming Platforms: One-click login and asset management for NFTs.
Fintech Startups: Offering crypto-native experiences through secure, branded wallets.
Enterprise Blockchain Solutions: Custom wallets for employee or customer asset management.
These verticals are just beginning to unlock wallet-led innovation.
Final Thoughts
Phantom has influenced what the modern crypto wallet should be—secure, easy to use, fast, and feature-rich. For businesses exploring wallet development, the opportunity lies in customizing this blueprint for their audience, use case, and growth goals.
With the right architecture, UI/UX, and blockchain foundation, building a wallet like Phantom can drive user adoption, ecosystem stickiness, and long-term brand equity.
Subscribe to my newsletter
Read articles from RJ directly inside your inbox. Subscribe to the newsletter, and don't miss out.
Written by
