Coldcard
Cold Storage / HardwareColdcard is a Bitcoin-only hardware wallet designed for maximum security. Features air-gapped operation (microSD or NFC), duress PIN, secure element, and full PSBT support. Favorite of Bitcoin maximalists and security experts.
Quick Verdict
With a Custody Score of 5.9/10, Coldcard is ranked #3 of 7 among cold storage / hardware providers. Its strongest category is Security and its weakest is Insurance.
Analysis
Score Breakdown
The Custody Score is a weighted average across 8 criteria, each rated 1-10.
| Criterion | Score | Weight | Weighted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | 9.5 | 20% | 1.90 |
| Insurance | 1 | 15% | 0.15 |
| Regulatory | 1 | 15% | 0.15 |
| Fee Transparency | 9.5 | 10% | 0.95 |
| Track Record | 8 | 15% | 1.20 |
| Withdrawal Flexibility | 9 | 10% | 0.90 |
| Reporting & Audit | 2 | 10% | 0.20 |
| Counterparty Diversification | 9.5 | 5% | 0.48 |
| Total | 100% | 5.9 |
Key Features
- ✓Air-gapped operation
- ✓Duress PIN
- ✓Secure element
- ✓PSBT support
- ✓Dice roll entropy
- ✓Multisig native
Fee Breakdown
| Setup Fee | $99-$148 (device purchase) |
| Annual Custody Fee | None |
| Transaction Fee | Network fees only |
| Withdrawal Fee | Network fees only |
| Notes | Bitcoin-only by design. Air-gapped signing via microSD. |
Security Details
Key Management
Air-gapped hardware wallet with secure element
Cold Storage
100%
SOC Compliance
N/A
Penetration Testing
Yes
Incident History: No known compromises
Insurance Coverage
Coverage
None — self-custody hardware
Carrier
N/A
Details
Hardware wallet. Full user responsibility.
Regulatory Status
Licenses
- N/A — hardware manufacturer
Coinkite Inc. Bitcoin-focused hardware company.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Gold standard for Bitcoin hardware security
- True air-gapped operation
- Duress PIN and security features
- Open-source and auditable
- Dice roll for true randomness
Cons
- Bitcoin only — no altcoins
- Not beginner-friendly
- No mobile app companion
- Utilitarian design
- Requires technical knowledge
How Coldcard Compares
Top cold storage / hardware providers ranked by Custody Score.
| Provider | Custody Score | Compare |
|---|---|---|
| Ledger | 6.1 | Compare → |
| Trezor | 6.1 | Compare → |
| BitBox02 | 5.9 | Compare → |
| Foundation Passport | 5.6 | Compare → |
| Blockstream Jade | 5.4 | Compare → |