Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
BitBox02 vs Coldcard
BitBox02
Higher score in this comparison
Coldcard
Where BitBox02 and Coldcard differ
| Compare | BitBox02ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | ColdcardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Coins supported | from 1,500 | 1 |
| Secure element | ATECC608B | Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B |
| Connectivity | USB c | USB c, NFCCovers more |
| Price | Not confirmed | $219 to $319 |
Same on both: Wallet type (Hardware), Custody (Self custody), Open source (Yes), Backup options (Seed).
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Key differences
- BitBox02 scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- Founded is lower at Coldcard: 2012 vs 2015.
- Connectivity: only Coldcard offers NFC.
Our verdict on each
BitBox02
BitBox02 is a USB-C hardware wallet from Shift Crypto AG that keeps your keys in self-custody, which suits anyone holding coins for years rather than trading daily. It is open source, sits near the €69.28 price for this category, and backs up with a plain seed.
Coldcard
Coldcard is a hardware wallet from Coinkite Inc. that suits holders who want their keys on a device they keep rather than with a provider. It scores 1.6 here, and 1 coin support makes it a Bitcoin choice rather than a broad one.
Score breakdown
| Area | BitBox02 | Coldcard |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 8.4$219 to $319 is a single buy, ranking 110 on price out of 120 brands, against Trezor at $79. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 8.9A narrow offer: 1 coins, seed backup, and help through email, help centre and community. |
| Trust | 9.3 | 9.5Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | BitBox02 | Coldcard |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto wallets | 47 of 156 | 64 of 156 |
| Hardware and cold wallets | 7 of 58 | 12 of 58 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BitBox02 | Coldcard |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Self custody | Self custody |
| Legal entity | Shift Crypto AG | Coinkite Inc. |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Canada |
| Founded | 2015 | 2012Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre, Community |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BitBox02 | Coldcard | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Not confirmed | $219 to $319highest quarter | $0 |
| Coins supported | from 1,500highest quarter | 1lowest quarter | 75 |
Median across 85 listed providers.
Pros and cons
BitBox02
Pros
- Keys stay in self custody with you rather than with an exchange or provider.
- Open source firmware built around an ATECC608B secure element.
- Coin support of from 1,500, well above the 345 across hardware wallets.
Cons
- Connection is usb c, so there is no wireless option and the device needs a computer.
- Recovery rests on a single seed backup rather than a split scheme, so one written copy carries the risk.
- Help runs on email, help centre and community, with no phone line among them.
Coldcard
Pros
- Keys stay in self custody, and Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B handles the signing.
- Open source, so the firmware can be read rather than trusted.
- Connects over usb c and nfc, so a cable or a tap is enough.
Cons
- Coin support is 1, far below what the hardware wallet ranking usually covers at 345.
- Price of $219 to $319 sits at 110 on price out of 120 brands, with Trezor lower at $79.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, so a phone line is not part of the offer.
Who each suits
BitBox02
Who it suits
- Long-term holders who want their coins in self-custody rather than sitting on an exchange.
- You who read firmware and want to check the code behind the wallet.
- Desktop users with a usb c port who hold a manageable set of coins.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants someone else to hold the keys: bynex is custodial.
- Phone-only users: Bit2Me is a mobile wallet rather than a hardware device.
- Long-tail coin hunters: Trezor lists 8,000 coins.
Coldcard
Who it suits
- A Bitcoin holder who keeps a single chain and wants signing done on hardware.
- Security-minded buyers who read the code, since Coldcard is open source and signs on Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B.
- Anyone comfortable guarding a seed phrase, since recovery rests on those words.
Who should look elsewhere
- Trezor buyers on a tighter budget, since Trezor sits at $79 against $219 to $319 here.
- Bit2Me users who want a mobile wallet for everyday use rather than a device that signs for you.
- bynex users who prefer custodial keys handled by the provider instead of kept in their own hands.
Current offers
Coldcard
Current offer
Discount code
Save 10% with Bitcoin at checkout: 10% with promo code CKBTC
On-chain payments only
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | BitBox02 | Coldcard |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Yes | No |
| Liechtenstein | Yes | No |
| Switzerland | Yes | No |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
BitBox02
How much does a BitBox02 cost compared with other hardware wallets?+
It is a one-time device purchase, not a subscription. Across hardware wallets on HodlCue the median price is €69.28, with the middle of the group starting around €52.24. Coins stay in self-custody, so the device is the main outlay you make.
Who holds the coins in a BitBox02?+
You do. Custody is self custody, so the keys never sit with Shift Crypto AG, the company behind the device, which is based in Switzerland and founded in 2015. The firmware is open source, and key handling happens on an ATECC608B secure element inside the device.
Coldcard
What kind of wallet is Coldcard?+
Coldcard is a hardware wallet, so transactions are signed on a small device rather than on a phone screen. Keys are held in self custody, which means no provider holds them. It comes from Coinkite Inc., a company founded in 2012 and based in Canada.
What does a Coldcard cost, and how does that compare?+
Coldcard is a single purchase: $219 to $319 is the listed device price range. The median price across hardware wallets is €69.28, so Coldcard sits at the dearer end of that shelf. Trezor is lower at $79, and that gap shows up at the till.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
BitBox02
Coldcard