The Keycard and Keycard Shell provide hardware-level security for your crypto wallet's private keys. These private keys are the fundamental cryptographic component necessary for accessing and controlling your crypto funds.
Keycard is a secure hardware wallet in the form of a contactless smart card. It stores your private keys on a dedicated secure chip, keeping your crypto safe even when used with internet-connected devices.
Key features:
- Secure chip: Your private keys never leave the card
- NFC support: Communicate wirelessly with mobile devices
- Open source: Adapt Keycard to your own projects ↗
Keycard works with iOS and Android mobile phones through NFC and with desktop computers using a USB smartcard reader.
Keycard Shell is a companion device that adds extra functionality to Keycard, enabling interaction with more wallet apps and signing transactions via QR codes.
Keycard Shell must work together with Keycard. You can share your Keycard Shell with friends and family to use with their own Keycards, because it doesn't store any private keys or sensitive information.
Key features:
- Display: See transaction details clearly on the screen
- Wider wallet support: Works with MetaMask, BlueWallet, Rabby, imToken, and more
Keycard and Keycard Shell must work together with a wallet app to manage your crypto assets. They each perform different functions in the overall process.
| Functionality | Keycard | Keycard Shell | Wallet app |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secure private keys | ✅ (Secure element) | 🔗 (Only with inserted Keycard) | ❌ (Keys stay on Keycard) |
| Create transactions | — | — | ✅ |
| Sign transactions | ✅ (With Status app ↗) | 🔗 (Via QR code; requires Keycard) | Use Status app ↗ if you don't use Keycard Shell |
| Air-gapped operation | ✅ (NFC contactless) | 🔗 (QR code; requires Keycard) | — |
| Manage Keycard | ✅ (Via Status app) | 🔗 (On-device screen; requires Keycard) | Use Status app ↗ if you don't use Keycard Shell |
✅ Works standalone
🔗 Works only when paired with Keycard
— Not possible
❌ Prevented when using Keycard and Keycard Shell