BitBox02 vs Foundation Passport — Head-to-Head Custody Comparison

An independent, data-driven comparison of BitBox02 and Foundation Passport across security, insurance, fees, regulatory compliance, and more.

Verdict

Quick Verdict

BitBox02 scores 5.9 vs Foundation Passport's 5.6. BitBox02 leads in 4 of 8 categories.

BitBox02 is better suited for Privacy-focused users, Swiss quality seekers, Bitcoin-only users. Foundation Passport is better suited for Design-conscious Bitcoiners, Air-gap enthusiasts, Open-source advocates.

5.9

Below AverageCustody Score

BitBox02

5.6

Below AverageCustody Score

Foundation Passport

Scores

Score Comparison

Weighted scores across all 8 custody criteria.

Criterion	Weight	BitBox02	Foundation Passport	Winner
Security	20%	9.0	9.0	Tie
Insurance	15%	1.0	1.0	Tie
Regulatory	15%	2.0	1.0	BitBox02
Fee Transparency	10%	9.5	9.0	BitBox02
Track Record	15%	7.0	6.5	BitBox02
Withdrawal Flexibility	10%	9.5	9.0	BitBox02
Reporting & Audit	10%	2.0	2.0	Tie
Counterparty Diversification	5%	9.0	9.5	Foundation Passport
Overall Score	100%	5.9	5.6	BitBox02

Visual

Score Radar

Visual overlay of BitBox02 and Foundation Passport across all categories.

BitBox02Foundation Passport

Deep Dive

Category-by-Category Analysis

A deeper look at how each provider performs in every scoring criterion.

Security (9.0 vs 9.0)

BitBox02 uses Dual-chip hardware wallet key management with 100% in cold storage and regular penetration testing. Compliance: Open-source audited. Incident history: No known compromises.

Foundation Passport uses Air-gapped hardware wallet with camera key management with 100% in cold storage and regular penetration testing. Compliance: Open-source audited. Incident history: No known compromises.

Insurance (1.0 vs 1.0)

BitBox02 offers None — self-custody hardware via N/A. Hardware wallet. Full user responsibility.

Foundation Passport offers None — self-custody hardware via N/A. Hardware wallet. Full user responsibility.

Regulatory (2.0 vs 1.0)

BitBox02 holds N/A — hardware manufacturer and is not a qualified custodian operating in Switzerland. Shift Crypto AG — Swiss-registered company.

Foundation Passport holds N/A — hardware manufacturer and is not a qualified custodian operating in United States. Foundation Devices Inc. US-based open-source hardware company.

Fee Transparency (9.5 vs 9.0)

BitBox02 charges None in annual custody fees with Network fees only per transaction. Swiss quality. Bitcoin-only edition available for maximalists.

Foundation Passport charges None in annual custody fees with Network fees only per transaction. Premium device. Air-gapped via QR codes and microSD.

Track Record (7.0 vs 6.5)

BitBox02 was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. AUM: N/A (hardware manufacturer). Incident history: No known compromises.

Foundation Passport was founded in 2020 and is headquartered in Boston, MA. AUM: N/A (hardware manufacturer). Incident history: No known compromises.

Withdrawal Flexibility (9.5 vs 9.0)

BitBox02 withdrawal fees: Network fees only. Minimum account: ~$149 (Multi) / ~$129 (Bitcoin-only). Supported assets: Bitcoin, Ethereum, 1,500+ (Multi edition).

Foundation Passport withdrawal fees: Network fees only. Minimum account: ~$199 (Passport). Supported assets: Bitcoin only.

Reporting & Audit (2.0 vs 2.0)

BitBox02: SOC compliance is Open-source audited. Not classified as a qualified custodian.

Foundation Passport: SOC compliance is Open-source audited. Not classified as a qualified custodian.

Counterparty Diversification (9.0 vs 9.5)

BitBox02 is a cold storage / hardware provider. Key management: Dual-chip hardware wallet. Open-source. Swiss-made. Touch slider interface..

Foundation Passport is a cold storage / hardware provider. Key management: Air-gapped Bitcoin wallet with camera for QR code scanning. Open-source hardware..

Fees

Fee Comparison

Side-by-side fee breakdown for BitBox02 and Foundation Passport.

Fee Type	BitBox02	Foundation Passport
Setup Fee	$129-$149 (device purchase)	$199 (device purchase)
Annual Custody	None	None
Transaction	Network fees only	Network fees only
Withdrawal	Network fees only	Network fees only

BitBox02: Swiss quality. Bitcoin-only edition available for maximalists.

Foundation Passport: Premium device. Air-gapped via QR codes and microSD.

Features

Feature Comparison

Checklist of features across both providers.

Feature	BitBox02	Foundation Passport
Air-gapped QR scanning	✗	✓
Bitcoin-only edition	✓	✗
Camera-based signing	✗	✓
Dual-chip architecture	✓	✗
Envoy companion app	✗	✓
MicroSD backup	✓	✓
Open-source firmware	✓	✗
Open-source hardware + firmware	✗	✓
Premium build quality	✗	✓
Tor support via BitBoxApp	✓	✗
Touch sliders	✓	✗

Recommendation

Who Should Choose Which?

BitBox02 is better if you…

✓Are a privacy-focused users
✓Are a swiss quality seekers
✓Are a bitcoin-only users
✓Are a minimalists
✓Want: Swiss-made quality and security
✓Want: Dual-chip architecture
✓Want: Fully open-source

Foundation Passport is better if you…

✓Are a design-conscious bitcoiners
✓Are a air-gap enthusiasts
✓Are a open-source advocates
✓Are a us-made seekers
✓Want: Beautiful premium design
✓Want: Truly air-gapped with QR camera
✓Want: Open-source hardware AND firmware

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BitBox02 or Foundation Passport better for Bitcoin custody?

BitBox02 scores 5.9 vs 5.6 in our weighted Custody Score. BitBox02 leads in 4 of 8 scoring categories. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs: BitBox02 is best for Privacy-focused users and Swiss quality seekers, while Foundation Passport suits Design-conscious Bitcoiners and Air-gap enthusiasts.

What is the difference between BitBox02 and Foundation Passport?

BitBox02 is a cold storage / hardware provider, while Foundation Passport is a cold storage / hardware provider. BitBox02 excels in Fee Transparency, whereas Foundation Passport is strongest in Counterparty Diversification.

How do BitBox02 and Foundation Passport fees compare?

BitBox02 charges None annual custody fees with Network fees only transaction fees. Foundation Passport charges None annual custody fees with Network fees only transaction fees.

Which is more secure, BitBox02 or Foundation Passport?

BitBox02 scores 9.0/10 for security while Foundation Passport scores 9.0/10. BitBox02 uses Dual-chip hardware wallet key management, and Foundation Passport uses Air-gapped hardware wallet with camera.