Coinkite Coldcard review
Updated September 28, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
Coinkite Coldcard is a hardware wallet for people who want to hold a small number of coins under their own keys rather than on an exchange. It costs $219 to $319 once, and the trade-off is range: it is built for a single coin at 1.
Key facts
- Best for
- Holding one or two coins offline with your own keys
- Wallet type
- Hardware↗
- Price
- $219 to $319↗
- Custody
- Self custody↗
- Coins supported
- 1↗
- Secure element
- dual secure elements: Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B↗
- Open source
- Yes↗
- Connectivity
- USB-c, NFC↗
- Backup options
- Seed↗
- Legal entity
- Coinkite Inc.↗
- Headquarters
- Canada↗
- Founded
- 2012↗
- Support channels
- Email, Help-centre, Community↗
- Features
- Self-custody
- Official website
- coinkite.com
Facts checked September 26, 2026, 6 sources
Apps and profiles
- Elsewhere
- LinkedInXXgithub.com
Pros and cons
Pros
- Keys never leave the device: self custody self-custody, so no account to hold funds for you
- Signing runs on dual secure elements: Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B, so the private key stays in hardware
- The firmware is open source, so the code can be checked by others
- A one-off $219 to $319 purchase with no account to fund or top up
Cons
- Range is the limit: 1 coins supported, so it suits a single coin rather than a long list
- Recovery rests on seed seed backup alone, with one key to guard
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, so there is no phone or live chat route
Who it suits
- Holders of a single main coin who want it stored offline
- People who already manage their own keys and understand seed backups
- Anyone who values open source hardware over a long coin list
Who should look elsewhere
- Coin collectors who need mobile and mobile mobile wallets for a wide list of assets
- Trezor buyers who want a lower outlay at $79
- Anyone wanting a phone or live chat channel, since support covers email, help centre and community
Safety of your money
Custody is self-custody: the keys sit on the device and no third party holds funds for you. Signing happens inside dual secure elements: Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B, a pair of secure elements that keep the private key away from the computer. The firmware is open source, so others can read how the device behaves before you trust it with coins.
Who runs it
The device is made by Coinkite Inc., a Canadian company founded in 2012 and based in Canada. Support runs on email, help centre and community, so questions are handled by email, through the help centre or in the community rather than by phone.
How Coinkite Coldcard compares
8.9 vs 9.1
8.9 vs 9.4
8.9 vs 9.4
8.9 vs 8.5
8.9 vs 9.4
8.9 vs 8.7
8.9 vs 9.2Pairs an exchange with a mobile wallet at mobile, useful if you want to buy and hold in one place.
8.9 vs 8.7
8.9 vs 9.3
8.9 vs 9.0
8.9 vs 9.5
8.9 vs 9.0Another hardware wallet with a lower entry price at $79, for buyers who want cold storage on a smaller budget.
8.9 vs 8.6
8.9 vs 8.5
8.9 vs 8.3
8.9 vs 9.6
8.9 vs 9.5
8.9 vs 9.4
8.9 vs 9.4
8.9 vs 9.3
8.9 vs 9.3
8.9 vs 9.3
8.9 vs 9.3
8.9 vs 9.3
8.9 vs 9.3
8.9 vs 9.2
8.9 vs 9.2
8.9 vs 9.0
8.9 vs 9.0
8.9 vs 9.0
8.9 vs 9.0
8.9 vs 8.9
8.9 vs 8.8
8.9 vs 8.7
8.9 vs 8.6
8.9 vs 8.5
8.9 vs 8.4- 8.9 vs 8.0
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Coldcard cost?+
A one-off purchase of $219 to $319 covers the hardware. There is no account balance to fund, no deposit and no monthly charge, since the device holds your own keys under self custody.
Which coins can the Coldcard hold?+
It is built for a narrow set, with 1 coins supported. That suits a single main coin held for the long term, but it is not a wallet for a long token list.
Who holds my coins?+
You do. Custody is self custody, so no exchange or provider holds funds on your behalf, and there is no account balance that can be frozen or drained.
How is the coin stored safely?+
Signing runs on dual secure elements: Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B, which keeps the private key inside the hardware instead of the connected computer. The firmware is open source, so the code can be inspected by others.
How do I recover my coins if the device is lost?+
Recovery rests on seed seed backup, so the written seed is the only route back in. Keep it offline and treat it as the wallet itself.
How do I connect it?+
It links over usb c and nfc, so a USB-C cable or a tap with a phone works. The device signs transactions rather than holding a balance.
Who do I contact for help?+
Support runs on email, help centre and community, so help comes by email, through the help centre or in the community. There is no phone or live chat option listed.
Which company makes it?+
The device comes from Coinkite Inc., a Canadian firm founded in 2012 and based in Canada. It is a hardware maker rather than a broker or exchange.
Sources
- coinkite.com checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Custody, Features, Founded
“It makes tools for self-custody: COLDCARD signing devices, OPENDIME physical Bitcoin bearer devices”
- coinkite.com/terms-of-use checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Headquarters, Legal entity
“Coinkite Inc., 3219 Yonge St., Unit 376, Toronto, ON M4N 3S1 CANADA”
- coldcard.com checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Backup options, Connectivity, Open source, Secure element, Wallet type
“Write the seed clearly. Add metal or encrypted MicroSD backup. Test recovery before the stack.”
- coldcard.com/faq checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Coins supported
“Bitcoin and Bitcoin Testnet are supported. COLDCARD does not support altcoins.”
- store.coinkite.com/store checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Price
“Shop Q $369 $319 USD; Shop Mk5 $269 $219 USD”
- linkedin.com/company/coinkite checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Support channels
“It's best to reach out via support@coinkite.com or Twitter.”
Compiled from 6 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.