Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Coldcard vs Keystone
Coldcard
Higher score in this comparison
Keystone
Coldcard vs Keystone: the differences
| Compare | ColdcardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | KeystoneReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219 to $319 | $149Lower |
| Coins supported | 1 | 5,500Higher |
| Secure element | Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B | 3 secure element chips |
| Backup options | Seed | Seed, ShamirCovers more |
| Connectivity | USB c, NFC | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Wallet type (Hardware), Custody (Self custody), Open source (Yes).
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Key differences
- Coldcard scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.9.
- Founded is lower at Coldcard: 2012 vs 2018.
- Price is lower at Keystone: $149 vs $219 to $319.
- Coins supported is higher at Keystone: 5,500 vs 1.
- Backup options: only Keystone offers Shamir.
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.
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 | Coldcard | Keystone |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.4$219 to $319 is a single buy, ranking 110 on price out of 120 brands, against Trezor at $79. | 8.5HigherThe device costs $149, well above $79 and close to the hardware top of €159.76. |
| Offer | 8.9A narrow offer: 1 coins, seed backup, and help through email, help centre and community. | 9.5HigherA hardware wallet with 3 secure element chips, seed and shamir options, 5,500 assets and open source firmware. |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 8.8 |
Pick Coldcard if, pick Keystone if
Pick Coldcard if trust matter most.
Pick Keystone if offer, price, coins supported, and backup options matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | Coldcard | Keystone |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto wallets | 64 of 156 | 79 of 156 |
| Hardware and cold wallets | 12 of 58 | 20 of 58 |
Also worth a look
Trezor has coins supported at 8,000, against 1 for Coldcard and 5,500 for Keystone.
Trezor reviewSources behind this comparison
Coldcard
- coldcard.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- store.coinkite.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Keystone
- keyst.one: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Coldcard | Keystone |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Self custody | Self custody |
| Legal entity | Coinkite Inc. | Yanssie HK Limited |
| Headquarters | Canada | Hong Kong |
| Founded | 2012Lower | 2018 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre, Community |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Coldcard | Keystone | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $219 to $319highest quarter | $149highest quarter | $0 |
| Coins supported | 1lowest quarter | 5,500highest 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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
Other matchups
Coldcard
Keystone