Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Coldcard vs ELLIPAL
ELLIPAL
Coldcard
Higher score in this comparison
Where Coldcard and ELLIPAL differ
| Compare | ColdcardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | ELLIPALReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219 to $319 | €54 to €149 |
| Coins supported | 1 | from 10,000 |
| Secure element | Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B | CC EAL5+ Secure Chip |
| Connectivity | USB c, NFCCovers more | NFC |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Wallet type (Hardware), Custody (Self custody), Backup options (Seed).
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Key differences
- Coldcard scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.7.
- Founded is lower at Coldcard: 2012 vs 2018.
- Connectivity: only Coldcard offers USB c.
Our verdict on each
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.
ELLIPAL
ELLIPAL is a self-custody hardware wallet for people who want coins held on a device rather than by an exchange. It suits broad token coverage and tap to sign handling, with a coin list of from 10,000 and connection over nfc alone, so no cable is needed.
Score breakdown
| Area | Coldcard | ELLIPAL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.4$219 to $319 is a single buy, ranking 110 on price out of 120 brands, against Trezor at $79. | 8.8HigherPrice of €54 to €149 sits above the hardware wallet median of €69.28, in the dearer part of the field. |
| Offer | 8.9A narrow offer: 1 coins, seed backup, and help through email, help centre and community. | 9.0Higher |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 8.4 |
How they place
| Ranking | Coldcard | ELLIPAL |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto wallets | 64 of 156 | 15 of 156 |
| Hardware and cold wallets | 12 of 58 | 5 of 58 |
Side by side, item by item
| Connectivity | Coldcard | ELLIPAL |
|---|---|---|
| USB c | Yes | No |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Backup options | Coldcard | ELLIPAL |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | Yes | Yes |
Sources behind this comparison
Coldcard
- coldcard.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- store.coinkite.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
ELLIPAL
- ellipal.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Coldcard | ELLIPAL |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Self custody | Self custody |
| Legal entity | Coinkite Inc. | ELLIPAL Limited |
| Headquarters | Canada | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2012Lower | 2018 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre, Community |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Coldcard | ELLIPAL | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coins supported | 1lowest quarter | from 10,000highest quarter | 75 |
Median across 85 listed providers.
Pros and cons
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.
ELLIPAL
Pros
- Coin list of from 10,000 covers a long tail of tokens beyond the majors.
- self custody keeps the keys on the device, so the holder stays in control of the balance.
- Signing over nfc alone means there is no cable to carry or mis-seat.
Cons
- Recovery rests on a single seed phrase, so one lost sheet costs the whole balance.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, with no live chat or phone line listed.
- One link, nfc, means phone compatibility decides whether the device works at all.
Who each suits
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.
ELLIPAL
Who it suits
- Holders who keep their own keys, since the wallet is self custody.
- People holding a long tail of tokens, with a coin list of from 10,000.
- Buyers who want to work without cables, since connection runs over nfc.
Who should look elsewhere
- Bit2Me, which is a mobile wallet, for anyone who wants keys on a phone rather than a hardware device.
- bynex, which is custodial, for anyone happy to let a provider hold the coins.
- Trezor, listed at $79, if you want to weigh a differently priced hardware unit before buying.
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
ELLIPAL
Current offer
Discount code
Own This Run - Up to 50% Off ELLIPAL X Card: Up to 50% off
Site banner offer on the ELLIPAL X Card cold wallet; X Card sets shown from EUR 67 (was EUR 125)
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
ELLIPAL Titan 2.0 price reduction: EUR 149 (was EUR 155), up to $59 off bundles
Product page sale on Titan 2.0, Titan 2.0 & Steel EUR 169 (was EUR 210) and Titan 2.0 & X Card EUR 189 (was EUR 225)
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
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.
ELLIPAL
What does the ELLIPAL Titan cost?+
The device is priced at €54 to €149. On price it sits 102 of 120 brands compared, which puts it towards the dearer end of the set. The money is spent when you buy the unit rather than added over time.
Does ELLIPAL hold my coins for me?+
The wallet is self custody, so keys are created and kept on the hardware and no provider holds them. That position is set out in the product terms and repeated in the feature list, which makes the trade-off plain: recovery planning stays with the holder.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
ELLIPAL
Coldcard