# Keycard: Secure Crypto & Hardware Wallet Source: https://keycard.tech Kiwi News: https://news.kiwistand.com/stories/Keycard-Secure-Crypto-and-Hardware-Wallet?index=0x6a0ab028f8584deff1f65e8a8be09f264aadc0184697d4c048435d0f6fcc733ca600c802 Submitted by tim on 2026-05-18 UTC, 3 upvotes, 3 comments ## Summary Keycard is a product page for an open-source, air-gapped hardware wallet system built around swappable smart cards, with the Keycard Shell as an optional signing device. The page says each Keycard holds its own mnemonic words and can be switched in seconds, and that Shell signs by showing a QR code to the computer without connecting to it. It states that firmware and card applets are MIT licensed, that the card's software is sealed and cannot be updated, and that the Keycard works with 15+ software wallets. A Keycard Shell bundle with two Keycards is listed at €129,00, down from €149,00. ## Article Open source and air-gapped hardware wallet to use with multiple Keycards Each Keycard is a unique wallet with its own mnemonic words. Switch cards in seconds. Convenient, modular and secure. Bundled with 2 Keycards • €129,00 €149,00 Loading… Insert a Keycard. Get an air-gapped hardware wallet. Shell signs by showing your computer a QR code. It never connects to it, and it holds nothing once the card is out. Air-gapped Open source Works with 15+ software wallets Comes with two Keycards included Get Shell Or use your Keycard with your phone or computer The Keycard is a hardware wallet by itself. The secure element is in the card and your keys never leave it — no Shell needed, no battery, nothing to charge. One card is one wallet, so swapping cards switches wallets in seconds. With your phone Tap the card on the back of your phone to sign over NFC. Nothing to plug in, nothing to pair. Works with Status and Keycard Pal on mobile. With your desktop Slot the card into the USB reader and sign from your computer. Works with Status Desktop and Sparrow. Get Keycard Every hardware wallet is a black box. Ours is not. Keycard and Shell are designed to be maximally trustless. Every line of code is verifiable in the open, on our GitHub. The keys Legacy wallets Bound to one device and one only. Recovery means a paper seed. Keycard Shell Live on a swappable smartcard. Back them up on more cards, carry them in your wallet, use them with any Shell, or any compatible wallets. Your keys, your control. The code Legacy wallets At best: partly open source. Keycard Shell Maximally permissive open source: firmware and card applets are MIT licensed. Full hardware is CERN-OHL-S v2. The rules Legacy wallets The signing part of the device is remotely upgradable. How your keys can be used or extracted may change after you buy, with an update you did not choose. Keycard Shell The card's software is sealed and cannot be updated. The rules for your keys never change. Not even by us. The lock-in Legacy wallets One companion app, working the way their business model needs. Keycard Shell Works with 15+ independent wallets through open standards. Pick your wallet, change it any time. Don't take our word for it. Take theirs. Works with the software wallet you already use Keycard works with 15+ wallets for Bitcoin and Ethereum/EVM. Connect the Shell by QR code, or tap the card over NFC. See all supported wallets. Video reviews FAQ What is the difference between Keycard and Keycard Shell? Keycard is the secure smart card that stores your private keys. You can use it directly with compatible software wallets on mobile (NFC), on desktop (with a USB smart card reader), or together with Keycard Shell as an air-gapped hardware wallet with a secure display. Keycard Shell is the companion signing device with a screen and keypad. It works with 15+ software wallets (mobile, desktop, and browser extensions) and uses Keycard as the secure element. When you purchase a Shell, two Keycards are included. Which blockchains do Keycard and Keycard Shell support? Keycard and Keycard Shell support Ethereum, all EVM-based blockchains, and Bitcoin. Can Keycard and Keycard Shell be used independently? Yes, Keycard can be used without Shell with mobile wallets (through NFC contactless taps) or desktop wallets (with a USB reader). You can check the list of compatible wallets on the dedicated page (filter wallets with the “Keycard” compatibility filter). No, Keycard Shell cannot be used without a Keycard. How many wallets can I use on one Keycard? One Keycard holds one master key (which is the equivalent of your list of mnemonic words) and generates as many Ethereum and Bitcoin wallet addresses as you need, according to the BIP32 standard. Keycard A card shaped hardware wallet Store your crypto in a simple, secure and slim hardware wallet. From €25 Keycard Shell A modular air-gapped hardware wallet The only open source hardware wallet for Bitcoin and Ethereum with fully open design. Bundled with 2 Keycards • €129,00 €149,00 About Keycard Keycard builds open-source, air-gapped hardware wallets for self-custody of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and EVM-compatible chains. The modular Keycard and Keycard Shell use a non-upgradable EAL6+ secure element with NFC and QR (ERC-4527) signing, and work with MetaMask, Status, Rabby, imToken, BitGet, Unisat, Specter, Sparrow, Nunchuk, BlueWallet, Bitcoin Safe, Cove, Bull Bitcoin, and Ambire. Both are MIT-licensed public goods, free to fork, audit and build on. We explain why in the Keycard manifesto. ## Comments **misha**: I have Keycards already for a couple of years; but somehow never use them, but guess the shell (which did exist previously, and I don’t have) and being able to use them w/ a regular wallet is a game changer. I’m going to have a fresh look. **tim**: Yeah it‘s interesting because it looks as if you can use them to store an encrypted seed phrase and since they anyways seem to be a bit more reliable than just eg a piece of paper **misha**: I think the card holds your master key (so the private key). And that is protected I think with a pincode. Then you use the card with your phone built-in NFC reader to sign. But each time I think you also need to put in the pin. If you forget the pin you still need to keep the seed frase to restore the card. I have to look into it again. But there was something that didn’t work for me UI wise. Anyway now you can use it on desktop with like normal wallets is a game changer for sure. (It used to only work with Status on mobile, which it seems was in permanent beta 😅) I have to look into Status also maybe again. But I gave up a bit on them I’m afraid.