Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
BitBox02 vs Keystone
BitBox02
Higher score in this comparison
Keystone
BitBox02 vs Keystone: the differences
| Compare | BitBox02ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | KeystoneReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Coins supported | from 1,500 | 5,500 |
| Secure element | ATECC608B | 3 secure element chips |
| Backup options | Seed | Seed, ShamirCovers more |
| Price | Not confirmed | $149 |
| Connectivity | USB c | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Wallet type (Hardware), Custody (Self custody), Open source (Yes).
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Key differences
- BitBox02 scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 8.9.
- Founded is lower at BitBox02: 2015 vs 2018.
- Backup options: only Keystone offers Shamir.
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.
Keystone
Keystone is a hardware wallet for people who want to hold keys themselves and read the code behind the device. It suits long term holders ready to pay $149 and keep a backup. Buyers who want the cheapest box should look at $79.
Score breakdown
| Area | BitBox02 | Keystone |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 8.5The device costs $149, well above $79 and close to the hardware top of €159.76. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.5HigherA hardware wallet with 3 secure element chips, seed and shamir options, 5,500 assets and open source firmware. |
| Trust | 9.3Higher | 8.8 |
How they place
| Ranking | BitBox02 | Keystone |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto wallets | 47 of 156 | 79 of 156 |
| Hardware and cold wallets | 7 of 58 | 20 of 58 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BitBox02 | Keystone |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Self custody | Self custody |
| Legal entity | Shift Crypto AG | Yanssie HK Limited |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Hong Kong |
| Founded | 2015Lower | 2018 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre, Community |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BitBox02 | Keystone | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Not confirmed | $149highest quarter | $0 |
| Coins supported | from 1,500highest quarter | 5,500highest 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.
Keystone
Pros
- Self-custody, so keys never leave the holder.
- Open source firmware that anyone can read.
- Security handled by 3 secure element chips.
Cons
- The $149 price sits well above $79.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community, with no chat or phone listed.
- Only 100% of wallets on the site are hardware.
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.
Keystone
Who it suits
- Long term holders keeping coins offline.
- Readers who want to read the firmware themselves.
- Holders of long asset lists, 5,500 supported.
Who should look elsewhere
- Budget buyers, since Trezor costs $79.
- Anyone wanting chat or phone support.
- Readers who want to trade as well as store.
Current offers
Country by country
| Country | BitBox02 | Keystone |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Keystone
What does a Keystone hardware wallet cost?+
The device is priced at $149, a one off purchase. As a hardware wallet it keeps working offline, with no subscription attached to holding. A Trezor device sits at $79, so Keystone asks for more at the checkout.
Who holds the coins on Keystone?+
Custody is self custody, so the keys stay with the holder and never sit with a company. If the device is lost, recovery depends on the backup, and the options listed are seed and shamir. Nothing sits with a third party to claim back.
Other options to compare
BitBox02
Keystone