Everything You Need to Know About Tangem Hardware Wallets

Introduction

The Tangem hardware wallet is a credit‑card‑sized device that stores private keys offline. This article answers the most common questions about its security, usability, and how it compares to other hardware wallets like Ledger.

What Happens If Tangem Goes Out of Business?

• The wallet hardware itself is independent of Tangem’s servers, so it continues to work.
• If the Tangem app disappears from app stores, you can still use the wallet because:
• The full source code of the app is published on GitHub; anyone can compile and reinstall it.
• The community is likely to publish a rebuilt version on the store.
• In the worst case you might be unable to make transactions temporarily, but the device will remain functional.

Card Theft and Access Codes

• Six‑digit access code protects each card. Without it, a stolen card is just a piece of plastic.
• If an attacker knows the access code, they gain full control of the wallet.
• Two backup cards in the wrong hands allow an attacker to reset the access code and take over the wallet.
• Best practice: never share the access code and store backup cards in separate, secure locations.

Tangem vs. Ledger

• Both are reputable hardware wallets, but they differ in design and user experience.
• Tangem uses NFC‑enabled cards; Ledger uses a USB/BT device.
• The video suggests a dedicated comparison video for a deeper dive.

Using Multiple Cards as Separate Wallets

• Each Tangem card contains its own private key, so you can treat each as an independent wallet.
• You could give cards to family members, but they are not meant to function like a shared credit card.

Setup Methods: Default vs. Seed‑Phrase

• Default method: No seed phrase is generated; you rely on up to three backup cards for recovery. Safer for users who might lose paper notes.
• Seed‑phrase method: Generates a 24‑word recovery phrase. Offers flexibility to import the wallet into other software/hardware wallets, but requires careful storage of the phrase.
• Choose based on your confidence in handling and safeguarding a paper seed phrase.

Can Tangem Company Access My Wallet?

• An independent Swiss audit (Kadeli Security) confirmed:
• No remote access to wallets.
• The chip firmware is not updatable, preventing future backdoors.

Recovery If You Forget Everything

• With at least two backup cards, you can restore the wallet even if you forget the access code or seed phrase.

Verifying an Authentic Tangem Wallet

• Each card has a unique serial number; the app checks this during setup.
• Physical tampering is detectable.
• Never use a pre‑configured card without resetting it to factory settings, as the private key may already be known to someone else.

Where to Buy

• Purchase directly from the official Tangem website (QR code or link in the video description) to guarantee authenticity.
• Use promo code Mita for a 10 % discount.

Linking an Existing Wallet

• You can import an existing seed phrase into the Tangem app, but this does not link the Tangem cards to other wallets like MetaMask.
• Exporting private keys to software wallets reduces security; keep keys offline.

Moving a Billion Dollars Internationally

1. Do not travel with the seed phrase in plain form.
2. Split the amount across multiple wallets and possibly different hardware brands for diversification.
3. Order two sets of Tangem cards, import the same seed phrase into each set, and keep only one card from each set during travel.
4. Leave the remaining cards with trusted parties in the origin country to prevent a single point of failure.
5. After crossing the border, create a new wallet in the destination country and transfer the funds, rendering the original backup cards useless abroad.

Staking

• Tangem does not have a native staking feature yet, but it supports the W‑Connect protocol, allowing you to stake via DeFi services.

How Money Can Be Stolen

• Human factors are the main risk:
• Someone discovers your six‑digit code.
• Two backup cards are compromised, allowing a code reset.
• Seed phrase is exposed.
• Phishing or malicious DeFi contracts that trick you into signing a draining transaction.
• Technical attacks (brute force, firmware hacks) are mitigated by the audited, non‑updatable chip.

Open‑Source Status

• App: Fully open source on GitHub; anyone can audit or compile it.
• Chip firmware: Closed source, but audited by Kadeli Security with no backdoors found.

How Many Cards Should You Buy?

• Two cards are sufficient if you use the seed‑phrase setup (extra backup for emergencies).
• Three cards are recommended for the default setup to provide an additional safety net.

Seed Phrase Portability

• The seed phrase generated during Tangem setup can be imported into any other wallet (Ledger, Trezor, etc.).
• If you initially choose the no‑seed method, you cannot later export a seed phrase.

Final Thoughts

• Tangem offers a convenient, NFC‑based hardware wallet with strong offline security.
• Its resilience to company shutdowns, lack of remote access, and robust recovery options make it a solid choice for both beginners and advanced users—provided you follow best‑practice security habits.

Tangem is a secure, self‑contained hardware wallet that remains usable even if the company disappears, but its safety ultimately depends on how well you protect your access code, backup cards, and seed phrase. By understanding the recovery mechanisms and avoiding common human‑error pitfalls, you can keep your crypto safe without needing to watch the original video.