Updated September 29, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Coinkite Coldcard vs Tangem
Coinkite Coldcard
Higher score in this comparison
Tangem
Where Coinkite Coldcard and Tangem differ
| Compare | Coinkite ColdcardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | TangemReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219 to $319 | $59.90 to $180Lower |
| Coins supported | 1 | 14,100Higher |
| Secure element | dual secure elements: Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B | EAL6+ certified Samsung Semiconductor secure element |
| Connectivity | USB c, NFCCovers more | NFC |
Same on both: Wallet type (Hardware), Custody (Self custody), Open source (Yes), Backup options (Seed).
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Key differences
- Founded is lower at Coinkite Coldcard: 2012 vs 2017.
- Price is lower at Tangem: $59.90 to $180 vs $219 to $319.
- Coins supported is higher at Tangem: 14,100 vs 1.
- Connectivity: only Coinkite Coldcard offers USB c.
- Support channels: only Tangem offers Chat.
Our verdict on each
Coinkite Coldcard
Coinkite Coldcard is a hardware wallet for readers who want their own keys and inspectable firmware, sold at a device price of $219 to $319. It suits a focused, self-custody setup rather than a long asset list, and buyers willing to pay for hardware up front.
Tangem
Tangem suits anyone who wants a physical card that keeps spending and saving in their own hands, at $59.90 to $180. It serves long-term holders who want a wide coin list inside self-custody, and suits less well people who need exchange features or phone support.
Score breakdown
| Area | Coinkite Coldcard | Tangem |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.4Cost is a single purchase at $219 to $319, set at the high end of the hardware range rather than tracked as a fee. | 8.9Higher$59.90 to $180 sits under the €69.28 hardware median at the low end. |
| Offer | 8.9A seed backup and a narrow asset focus keep the offer tight at 1 coin. | 9.2Higher14,100 coins supported, open source software and a EAL6+ certified Samsung Semiconductor secure element give breadth and chip security in one card. |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 9.0 |
From lowest to highest
| Fact | Coinkite Coldcard | Tangem |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219 to $319 | $59.90 to $180 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Coinkite Coldcard | Tangem |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto wallets | 65 of 156 | 70 of 156 |
| Hardware and cold wallets | 13 of 58 | 15 of 58 |
A third option
Cypherock has coins supported at 19,000, against 1 for Coinkite Coldcard and 14,100 for Tangem.
Cypherock reviewWhat we checked
Coinkite Coldcard
- coldcard.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- coinkite.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- linkedin.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- store.coinkite.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Tangem
- tangem.com: 13 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Coinkite Coldcard | Tangem |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Self custody | Self custody |
| Legal entity | Coinkite Inc. | Tangem AG |
| Headquarters | Canada | Switzerland |
| Founded | 2012Lower | 2017 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Coinkite Coldcard | Tangem | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $219 to $319highest quarter | $59.90 to $180above the median | $0 |
| Coins supported | 1lowest quarter | 14,100highest quarter | 75 |
Median across 85 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Coinkite Coldcard
Pros
- Custody is self custody, so the holder keeps control rather than a provider.
- Open source is listed, so the code behind the device can be reviewed by others.
- Dual secure elements, dual secure elements: Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B, add a second layer around signing.
Cons
- A device price of $219 to $319 makes it one of the costliest options in its group.
- Coin support of 1 rules out readers holding a long asset list.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, with no phone line among them.
Tangem
Pros
- Tangem guards keys with a EAL6+ certified Samsung Semiconductor secure element, putting the important part in dedicated hardware rather than phone software.
- The coin list of 14,100 puts the card at position 7 of 108 on coins supported.
- Custody sits with the holder through self custody, and the software is published as open source for anyone to read.
Cons
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, so there is no phone line in the list.
- Recovery runs on a seed phrase, listed as seed, which means the phrase itself carries the full balance.
- Connectivity is nfc only, so a phone has to be on hand for every use.
Who each suits
Coinkite Coldcard
Who it suits
- Holders who want self-custody on open source hardware and hold a narrow set of assets.
- Security-minded readers who value dual secure elements and a seed backup they control.
- Buyers comfortable with a single purchase of $219 to $319 rather than an ongoing account.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers on a budget, since Trezor is listed at $79.
- Multi-coin holders, because Bit2Me runs as a mobile wallet instead.
- Anyone who wants a provider rather than a device: bynex is custodial.
Tangem
Who it suits
- Long-term holders who want to keep rather than trade, with self custody leaving the keys with you and 14,100 covering the long tail of assets.
- People who want card-style access to crypto without handing over a seed, since connectivity is nfc and a tap is the whole routine.
- Readers who care about chip level security, because the EAL6+ certified Samsung Semiconductor secure element is the part that does the guarding.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting an app first account: Bit2Me is a mobile wallet, where Tangem is a card held in hand.
- Holders who prefer a provider to look after the assets: bynex runs on custodial, the opposite of the self custody model here.
- Buyers chasing the cheapest hardware device: Trezor lists at $79, under the upper end of the $59.90 to $180 range.
Current offers
Coinkite Coldcard
Current offer
Discount code
Save 10% with Bitcoin at checkout: CKBTC
On-chain payments only
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Tangem
Current offer
Bonus
Tangem Wallet BTC Reward: Up to $20 in Bitcoin
Every wallet ordered includes BTC Reward credited to your own self-custody wallet within 14 days of activation; offer banner states ends Oct 5
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Leave an email, get 10% discount: 10% off
Leave an email address on the site, promo code is sent to that address
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Save your discount: SAVE10: 10% off
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Flash sale - we drop prices for 20%: 20% off
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Coinkite Coldcard
What does a Coinkite Coldcard cost?+
The hardware is listed at $219 to $319, a range covering the models sold in the store. It is a one-time purchase rather than a recurring charge, and on price the brand ranks 110 out of 120 in the group compared.
Who holds the keys on a Coldcard?+
You do. Custody is self custody, so the holder keeps control of the keys rather than a provider. That suits readers who want their coins outside any exchange or custodial account.
Tangem
How much does a Tangem cost?+
Prices run $59.90 to $180 across the card range, and the purchase is a device rather than a plan tied to a platform balance. The entry card sits under the €69.28 median of the hardware wallets we rank, while the upper end of the range goes past the €159.76 mark most of them sit under.
Do I hold my own crypto?+
Tangem runs on self custody, so keys are created and kept on the card rather than on an account that someone else controls. Nothing needs to be held on your behalf, and the card never becomes a claim on a platform balance. Software is published as open source, so the app and firmware can be read rather than trusted.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Coinkite Coldcard
Tangem