In this article, I will talk about the best card-based hardware wallets such as Tangem and will discuss their security, card-based design, private-key security, connectivity, supported cryptocurrencies, recovery options, and usability.
Key Points & Top Card-Based Hardware Wallets Like Tangem
- Cypherock X1 — Keyless hardware wallet using multiple secure cards to distribute private-key backups.
- CoolWallet (Pro / S) — Credit-card-sized wallet offering Bluetooth connectivity, secure storage, and mobile management.
- Arculus Wallet — NFC-enabled metal card wallet using biometric authentication and offline key storage.
- Ballet Crypto Wallet — Non-electronic physical wallet designed for simple, offline cryptocurrency private-key management.
- Cryptnox Wallet — Smart-card hardware wallet providing secure cryptocurrency storage with strong authentication features.
- Anybit Card — Compact hardware wallet card designed for convenient, secure digital-asset storage and access.
- HASHWallet — Physical smart-card wallet combining secure key storage with straightforward cryptocurrency management.
- D’CENT Card-Type Wallet — Card-style hardware wallet supporting secure key management and convenient cryptocurrency transactions.
- Serenity Shield sAxess — Secure access solution designed to protect and manage sensitive digital assets and credentials.
- SafePal S1 / S1 Pro — Air-gapped hardware wallets supporting QR transactions and broad cryptocurrency asset compatibility.
- BC Vault — Robust hardware wallet featuring encrypted storage, PIN protection, and customizable security controls.
- Ledger Flex — Touchscreen hardware wallet providing secure cryptocurrency management with convenient device interaction.
- Keystone 3 Pro — Air-gapped hardware wallet using QR communication and multiple security protections for assets.
- Ellipal X Card — Secure card-based solution designed for convenient cryptocurrency storage and offline transaction workflows.
14 Top Card-Based Hardware Wallets Like Tangem
1. Cypherock X1
Cypherock X1’s decentralized private-key architecture, which differentiates it from traditional hardware wallets. Describe how the private key is divided into 5 crypto parts via Shamir’s Secret Sharing, with parts stored in the X1 Vault and 4 X1 Cards. This way , any two parts are enough to spend the funds .
If you lose one device , you can still spend your funds and not lose them forever . Also cover its seed-phrase-free backup approach, EAL6+ secure elements, open source architecture, multiple wallet-account support, supported assets and transaction process. Briefly describe its use in estate planning and long-term storage. Don’t make unspecific statements about being “the safest” unless clearly attributed
Cypherock X1 Features
| Features | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Key Backup | Splits private-key information across multiple physical components for redundancy. |
| Security | Uses secure elements and cryptographic protection for private-key management. |
| Recovery | Multiple components help reduce dependence on one physical device. |
| Asset Support | Designed to manage multiple cryptocurrencies through its supported wallet ecosystem. |
2. CoolWallet (Pro / S)
CoolWallet’s card-shaped design, connectivity, security architecture, and mobile usability. Specify whether you are talking about the CoolWallet Pro or the CoolWallet S, as the specifications and supported assets may differ between the two models. Discuss how the wallet interacts with smartphones . Bluetooth communication . Secure element security .
Signing transactions . Physical card form factor . Only verified cryptocurrencies and major blockchain compatibility for the specific model should be included. Talk about mobile app functionality, staking or DeFi features where applicable, and recovery or backup procedures.
The paragraph should focus on portability and everyday usability, not generic hardware wallet benefits. Do not claim to be the most secure, do not claim to support all assets and do not work completely offline.
CoolWallet (Pro / S) Features
| Features | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Card Design | Credit-card-sized hardware wallet designed for convenient portable use. |
| Connectivity | Uses wireless connectivity to interact with compatible mobile devices. |
| Security | Secure-element technology protects private keys during wallet operations. |
| Mobile Management | Companion application provides cryptocurrency management and transaction functionality. |
3. Arculus Wallet
Arculus: metal card, NFC, 3-factor authentication, mobile app. Describe how users tap the card to a compatible smartphone to authorize access to their wallet or transactions. Its security model revolves around the secure element, passcode and biometric authentication.
Only mention supported cryptocurrencies, blockchain networks, staking, WalletConnect, NFTs and other relevant ecosystem functions where applicable to the current software version.
Arculus Wallet Features
| Features | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Card Format | Metal card design provides a compact and portable hardware-wallet experience. |
| NFC | Uses NFC communication for card-based wallet authentication and transactions. |
| Authentication | Combines card possession, passcode, and biometric authentication for access. |
| Mobile App | Smartphone application manages supported assets and wallet transactions. |
4. Ballet Crypto Wallet
The paragraph should focus on Ballet’s physical cold-storage card, non-electronic design, private-key protection, and companion mobile application. Detail how the physical wallet holds the required key components and how users connect the physical wallet to the Ballet Crypto App for their portfolio management.
Mention supported cryptocurrencies, blockchain networks, NFTs, asset swapping, buy and sell features, and WalletConnect integration if relevant. If you are talking about security, describe its air-gapped signing ability.
This is important because Ballet specifically calls your attention to this during the setup process — check the physical product for tampering before you activate it. Don’t say things like “military-grade security” unless it’s something that’s actually been written down.
Ballet Crypto Wallet Features
| Features | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Physical Design | Non-electronic physical wallet provides offline cryptocurrency key storage. |
| Self-Custody | Users maintain direct control over their cryptocurrency private keys. |
| Mobile App | Ballet application provides portfolio and cryptocurrency management functionality. |
| Asset Support | Supports multiple cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based digital assets. |
5. Cryptnox Wallet
Cryptnox: smart-card cold storage architecture and EAL6+ Common Criteria certified secure element. Clarify that private keys are created and stored inside the secure chip and never revealed to the connected device .
Note the NFC-based transaction signing, encrypted communication between card and application, seed-generation options and backup to another card where supported. Add in its support
for cryptocurrency key management, and the card’s additional FIDO2 security-key functionality, if applicable. For advanced users, it might be useful to mention BIP32, secp256k1, NIST P-256 or MuSig2 support for technical readers. Do not add unrelated smart-card specifications.
Cryptnox Wallet Features
| Features | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Smart Card | Uses smart-card technology to securely store cryptocurrency private keys. |
| Secure Element | EAL6+ secure-element technology protects sensitive cryptographic operations. |
| NFC Support | NFC enables convenient communication between the card and compatible devices. |
| Key Protection | Private keys remain protected within the secure hardware environment. |
6. Anybit Card
For Anybit Card, first define the physical card format, key storage approach, communication technology and wallet ecosystem that it supports. Users register the card, connect it with a smartphone or application and authorize transactions. Say a few words about this.
The card uses secure-element technology to store private keys and a backup or recovery process to allow access to funds in case of loss or damage of the card. It supports many cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin and is compatible with different blockchains. The card does not require battery, cable, Bluetooth or NFC to operate.
Explain how it is practically portable as compared to traditional hardware wallets in the USB style. The current publicly available technical information on Anybit Card is not as extensive as many other established brands, so do not include exact security certifications, asset counts, transaction features, or recovery claims unless verified from the manufacturer’s current documentation.
Anybit Card Features
| Features | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Card Design | Compact physical card provides portable cryptocurrency wallet functionality. |
| Key Storage | Designed to keep cryptocurrency credentials protected within dedicated hardware. |
| Accessibility | Card format enables convenient storage and everyday wallet portability. |
| Mobile Integration | Designed for interaction with compatible applications and mobile devices. |
7. HASHWallet
HASHWallet’s EAL6+ secure element, seedless key architecture, NFC operation, recovery mechanism and self-custody model. Explain private keys are created and saved on the card and are not intended to be taken out.
It has non-updatable firmware, signs transactions inside the chip, has threat-detection mechanisms, and can manage multiple keys. Include multi-seed functionality, BIP39 recovery-phrase import, backup-card recovery, inheritance options, and supported assets where appropriate.
The card’s practical features include battery-free operation and IP68 durability. Avoid using blanket statements like “unhackable” – instead, describe the specific security measures the manufacturer has detailed.
HASHWallet Features
| Features | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Secure Element | EAL6+ secure-element technology protects keys inside the physical card. |
| Seedless Design | Generates and manages keys without requiring traditional seed-phrase handling. |
| NFC | NFC communication supports card interaction and transaction authorization. |
| Recovery | Backup and recovery mechanisms provide additional protection against card loss. |
8. D’CENT Card-Type Wallet
Refer to this product using the current DCENT branding. Note that D’CENT rebranded to DCENT in September 2026. Focus on the NFC operation of the DCENT S card wallet, its EAL6+ secure element, private-key protection, backup options and mobile-app integration.
It supports major cryptocurrencies and token networks, but is separate product-specific support from the broader DCENT ecosystem. The card’s design is battery-free and can be used with NFC-enabled smartphones.
If talking about the All-in-One Card Wallet, mention EVM-compatible multi-network support and its printed QR code for checking wallet addresses. Do not mix specifications from DCENT’s biometric or any other hardware model.
D’CENT Card-Type Wallet Features
| Features | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Card Format | Physical card provides a compact alternative to traditional hardware wallets. |
| NFC Communication | Uses NFC technology for smartphone connectivity and wallet operations. |
| Secure Element | Dedicated secure hardware protects sensitive private-key information. |
| Mobile App | Companion application supports cryptocurrency management and transaction activities. |
9. Serenity Shield sAxess
For sAxess, tell us what the product actually does, how it interacts with the Serenity Shield ecosystem, and how private-key/digital-access protection works. Add its physical format, authentication method, supported assets or networks, mobile/application compatibility, backup and recovery process, and whether transactions require NFC, Bluetooth, QR codes, or another connection method.
If it is mainly designed around digital-access or asset-recovery functionality rather than cold storage, make that distinction clear. Confirmed by the manufacturer are the security architecture, the certifications and the supported features: Don’t call it a straight-up Tangem replacement unless you tell us how the tech is different and what it’s meant for.
Serenity Shield sAxess Features
| Features | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Digital Access | Designed around secure access and protection of sensitive digital information. |
| Security | Uses authentication mechanisms to protect access to stored information. |
| Self-Custody | Supports user-controlled management of protected digital credentials or assets. |
| Ecosystem | Connects with Serenity Shield’s broader digital-security infrastructure and services. |
10. SafePal S1 / S1 Pro
Check out SafePal S1 and S1 Pro for their air-gapped transaction architecture, QR-code communication, offline design, security mechanisms, and asset support. Note that the S1 series is designed to operate without Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC or radio connectivity, with transactions using QR codes and the companion app.
Add the anti-tamper and self-erasing mechanisms, secure-element protection, supported cryptocurrencies and networks, DeFi/Web3 compatibility etc. If you are talking about the S1 Pro in isolation then say it has an improved aluminum body and is physically more durable, not that it is the same as the original S1. Do not discuss irrelevant SafePal products unnecessarily.
SafePal S1 / S1 Pro Features
| Features | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Air-Gapped | Designed without Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, or other wireless connections. |
| QR Transactions | Uses QR codes to transfer transaction information between devices. |
| Security | Secure-element protection and anti-tampering mechanisms strengthen device security. |
| Web3 Support | Supports cryptocurrencies, tokens, DeFi applications, and broader Web3 functionality. |
11. BC Vault
The encrypted offline storage of BC Vault, individual encrypted vaults, backup options and transaction-security features should be promoted. You can have several vaults, each password protected individually, which is great for separating assets or accounts.
Features encrypted QR-code or MicroSD backups, two-factor authentication, transaction warnings, dual-firmware protection, secure wallet deletion and browser compatibility. Clicking on the device display is a practical feature for transaction verification.
If you talk about capacity, state the number of supported vaults that the manufacturer currently supports, don’t make vague claims about unlimited storage. Don’t say things like “all hardware wallets do this”
BC Vault Features
| Features | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Encrypted Storage | Encrypts wallet information to protect stored cryptocurrency credentials. |
| Multiple Vaults | Allows users to maintain multiple separately protected cryptocurrency wallets. |
| Backup | Supports encrypted backup methods for recovering wallet information when necessary. |
| Authentication | Uses password and hardware-based security mechanisms to authorize transactions. |
12. Ledger Flex
Check out the Ledger Flex with its 2.8-inch Secure E Ink touchscreen, Secure Element, transaction verification, asset support, and Ledger Wallet ecosystem. The secure touchscreen is important because it displays transaction details using hardware designed to reduce the risk of tampered data from a compromised computer or phone.
Discuss the supported cryptocurrencies and NFTs, the CC EAL6+ Secure Element, Ledger OS, USB/Bluetooth connectivity (if applicable), and recovery options. Flex isn’t a credit-card-like wallet in the same way that Tangem is, but rather a touchscreen hardware device. This is an important difference for card-based alternatives. Avoid tangential design details (except portability).
Ledger Flex Features
| Features | Explanation |
|---|---|
| E Ink Screen | Features a touchscreen designed for clear transaction verification and interaction. |
| Secure Element | Uses a CC EAL6+ certified secure element for key protection. |
| Connectivity | Supports USB and Bluetooth connections for compatible wallet management. |
| Ledger Ecosystem | Works with Ledger’s software environment for cryptocurrency and digital-asset management. |
13. Keystone 3 Pro
Key features of Keystone 3 Pro include: air-gapped architecture, QR-code transaction signing, secure elements, large touchscreen, biometric or pin security, and recovery system. The device is kept isolated from internet connected hardware during the transaction signing process and QR codes are used to transfer transaction information.
List supported blockchain networks, compatibility with popular wallet apps, DeFi/Web3 connectivity, firmware update procedures, and backup or recovery options. If you want to compare it with Tangem, be explicit about the larger dedicated hardware-device format
of Keystone 3 Pro, not a simple NFC card. We support the most relevant ecosystems, like the Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, BNB Chain and Avalanche networks and a wide range of other tokens.
Keystone 3 Pro Features
| Features | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Air-Gapped | Keeps private transaction signing separated from internet-connected environments. |
| QR Signing | Uses QR codes to transfer transaction information securely between devices. |
| Secure Elements | Incorporates multiple secure elements to protect private-key operations. |
| Touchscreen | Large touchscreen enables users to review and verify transaction details. |
14. Ellipal X Card
Emphasize the NFC card format, batteryless design, offline setup, tap-to-sign process, and self-custody approach for the Ellipal X Card. Let users know that they can authorize transactions by holding the card next to their phone, which means no charging cables or batteries.
It currently supports 10,000+ tokens on 45+ blockchains. Buying, selling, swapping, staking, and payment availability may depend on providers and regions.
Explain backup options and how multiple cold wallets can be handled if applicable. Mention its slim physical design briefly as an advantage of portability and keep the security claims tied to the documented architecture.
Ellipal X Card Features
| Features | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Card Design | Slim hardware-wallet card provides convenient portable cryptocurrency storage. |
| NFC Technology | Uses NFC communication for card interaction and transaction authorization. |
| Battery-Free | Operates without an internal battery, reducing charging requirements. |
| Multi-Chain Support | Supports thousands of tokens across numerous blockchain networks. |
Conclusion
Card-based hardware wallets provide a user-friendly method for self-custody of cryptocurrencies, combining portability with specific security features. There are different options available like the Cypherock X1 , CoolWallet , Arculus , HASHWallet
Ledger Flex , and Ellipal X Card which offer different approaches to key protection, connectivity, recovery and asset support.
Before choosing a cryptocurrency, you should compare security architecture, supported networks, backup methods, compatibility, and transaction features based on your individual cryptocurrency requirements.
FAQ
What are card-based hardware wallets like Tangem?
They are portable hardware wallets designed for secure cryptocurrency self-custody.
Which wallets are similar to Tangem?
Arculus, CoolWallet, HASHWallet, Ellipal X Card, and D’CENT offer alternatives.
Are card-based hardware wallets secure?
They use secure hardware, authentication, and protected private-key storage mechanisms.
Do card-based wallets support multiple cryptocurrencies?
Most support multiple cryptocurrencies, tokens, and blockchain networks through companion applications.


