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Coldcard – An Advanced Bitcoin Hardware Wallet

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Coldcard - An Advanced Bitcoin Hardware Wallet

There are many different types of cryptocurrency wallets available on the market today. Some wallets are software-based, while others are hardware-based. 

Coldcard is a Bitcoin hardware wallet that offers a high level of security for your digital currency. This review will look at the features and benefits of using Coldcard.

What is Coldcard?

Coldcard is a group of hardware wallets offering exclusive support for Bitcoin. It comes with specialized chips designed to securely store your seed words. All the code for Coldcard is available for anyone to view, edit, and verify. 

You can compile it yourself if you wish. Additionally, Coldcard gives you the option of never having to connect it to a computer during its lifetime.

Consequently, from the time you generate your seed to when you sign a transaction, your Coldcard can stay offline. Plus, it natively supports PSBT (BIP174).

Set Up a Coldcard Wallet

The setup procedure of a Coldcard wallet is very simple. After you have unpacked your wallet, you will need to connect it to a computer using the USB cable provided. 

This will allow you to generate your seed words. Once you have generated your seed words, you can disconnect your wallet and store it wherever you like.

Using a Coldcard Wallet

Using your Coldcard wallet is just like using any other Bitcoin wallet. The main difference is that with Coldcard, you can keep your wallet offline at all times. 

This means that your Coldcard is generally more secure than a regular Bitcoin wallet.

Why Do People Buy Coldcard Wallets?

There are several reasons why you may find this wallet appealing to you. First, its team labels it as one of the most secure ways to store your Bitcoin. Second, it’s easy to use and set up. 

Third, it’s an offline wallet, so your coins are always safe. And finally, it supports PSBT (BIP174), which makes it easy to sign transactions.

A Coldcard wallet costs over $100, depending on the type of product you are looking for. However, the website frequently has special offers to appeal to new clients.

The battery life of a Coldcard wallet is around two years. However, this will vary depending on how often you use it.

The Advantages of Owning a Coldcard Wallet

Here are some key advantages of the Coldcard wallet:

  • The Coldcard is a bitcoin-only wallet that stores only bitcoins and no other altcoins. This makes it more secure than wallets that support multiple coins.
  • All code is open source, meaning users can compile the code themselves to check for security vulnerabilities.
  • The True Air-Gap operational feature of the Coldcard wallet makes it possible to avoid connecting the wallet to a computer. This means that it is offline and, therefore, more secure.
  • The Coldcard wallet has many features. We can mention a full-sized numeric keypad, a bright OLED screen, and a MicroSD card slot.

Generate Seed Words and Sign Transactions

Here is a list of steps you can follow to generate seed words and sign a transaction with your wallet:

  1. Plug in the Coldcard hardware wallet to a computer.
  2. Boot up the device and select the “Generate New Seed” option.
  3. Write down the seed words generated on a piece of paper.
  4. Store the seed words in a safe place so you can remember them later.
  5. To sign a transaction, input the amount of crypto you want to send and the recipient’s address into the Coldcard.
  6. Select the “Sign Transaction” option on the device.
  7. Enter the seed words when prompted.
  8. The Coldcard will then generate the signed transaction.
  9. The Coldcard can also generate new addresses and check balances of existing ones.

The Customer Service

On its website, Coldcard provides customer service information. This includes a contact form and a list of Frequently Asked Questions. 

Coldcard also encourages feedback from users and invites them to join the community forums. Finally, the site offers a troubleshooting guide for users who may encounter issues with their wallets.

Buying Bitcoin with a Coldcard Wallet

To buy Bitcoin with a Coldcard wallet, you’ll need to create a wallet on the Coldcard website. Once your wallet is live, you can select “Buy Bitcoin” from the main menu. 

You’ll then have to enter the amount of Bitcoin you want to buy and your payment method. Once you’ve entered your information, you can review and confirm your transaction. 

After your transaction is confirmed, the Bitcoin will be sent to your Coldcard wallet.

Different Ways to Connect Your Wallet

There are different ways to connect Coldcard wallets. USB-C is the standard way to send data and power through a cable. AirGap SneakerNET is a more secure way to transfer data between devices. 

NFC Tap is a short-range wireless transmission that sends data quickly to your phone. Finally, Virtual Disk technology lets your wallet emulate a USB disk drive, so sending PSBT files can be a drag-n-drop.

Security Features

The Coldcard wallet has several security features that make it a secure option for storing cryptocurrencies. Firstly, it uses a Duress PIN to protect your funds if someone forces you to reveal your password. 

Secondly, its Countdown to Brick feature blocks your device if someone enters an incorrect PIN too many times. Additionally, the wallet supports BIP39 passphrases, so your funds will still be safe even if you lose your device. 

Moreover, the Coldcard wallet has a Login Countdown feature. This functionality will lock your device after a while if you don’t use it, adding an extra layer of security.

What’s the Point of Having a MicroSD Slot on a Wallet?

The Coldcard wallet has a MicroSD slot to be able to backup the seed into an encrypted file. The feature also lets it import new transactions and write public key data. The wallet needs to be able to upgrade the firmware by copying the latest firmware file onto the card. 

Our Conclusions

If you’re looking for a secure way to store your cryptocurrencies, the Coldcard wallet is a great option.

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It has several security features that make it a safe choice for storing your funds. Additionally, there are different ways to connect your wallet and access its functions. Visit the Coldcard website and social media pages to learn more about this wallet.

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Born in Italy, Gianluca is a finance and data specialist, coming from an academic education at Sorbonne University in Paris and a career as Senior Advisor at Ernst & Young in the Banking and Blockchain sector.

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