Tangem

Tangem's card design changes the physical routine of a hardware wallet: the phone powers the NFC tap, so the card needs no battery or cable. A free Mobile Wallet also works without buying a device. Its quick setup stores the keys on the phone, making the backup decision especially important.

In the app, choose Start with Mobile Wallet, then Create wallet. That initial wallet is not yet backed up. Open wallet settings and finish the backup before relying on it: the recovery-phrase option reveals the original 12 words for you to record and verify. Without a backup, losing the phone or deleting the app can mean losing access to the money.

Moving to hardware gives two routes. Create new wallet generates fresh keys in the card or ring, after which you transfer funds and pay network fees. Upgrade current wallet moves the existing keys into the hardware and erases them from the phone. This distinction matters if you want a new set of keys rather than continuing the original wallet.

For a card-based setup, linked backup cards can replace a lost card. Keep them separately. Losing every card in a seedless setup means losing access; an optional recovery phrase creates a different recovery arrangement. The hardware requires a compatible phone with full NFC support. Tangem lists iOS 15 or later and Android 6 or later, but some older phones cannot activate cards even when they have NFC.

The three-card set is listed at USD 69.90, excluding taxes and customs duties. Select the delivery country for shipping costs. Hardware is a one-time purchase and the app has no subscription. Tangem does not require wallet registration or identity verification; integrated crypto transaction providers have their own conditions.