Bitcoin Wiki - User contributions [en]

Hardware wallet

2013-01-13T06:41:25Z

Paybitcoin: Adding images, some POV cleanup

A hardware wallet is a device that stores a part of a user's [[wallet]] securely in mostly-offline hardware. They have major advantages over other wallet types:

* the key is often stored in a protected area of a microcontroller, and cannot be transferred out of the device in plaintext
* immune to computer viruses that steal from software wallets
* can be used securely and interactively, as opposed to a [[paper wallet]] which must be imported to software at some point
* much of the time, the software is open source, allowing a user to validate the entire operation of the device

This page is an attempt to summarize all the known developments of hardware wallets that can use Bitcoin as part of their operation.

== Hardware Wallets ==
Some of the more feasible (prototype stage or better) wallets are:

=== BitcoinCard Megion Technologies-Card based wallet ===
[[File:Bitcoincard-medley-large.jpg|400px|thumb|left|Bitcoin Card]]
[http://www.bitcoincard.org/ Bitcoincard Home Page]

[http://blog.bitinstant.com/blog/2012/6/19/our-discovery-in-vienna-the-bitcoin-card.html Excellent review by evoorhees]

Incorporates a e-paper display, keypad, and radio (custom ISM band protocol.) Unfortunately it is fairly limited in terms of transaction I/O, requiring a radio gateway or another bitcoincard wherever funds need to be transferred.

 
=== Trezor - slush/stick hardware wallet ===
[[File:Trezor-wallet-casing.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Trezor Wallet (case)]]

[https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=122438.0 Hardware wallet project]

A simple transaction-signing device, requires software on the receiving side to send and receive transactions. Talks over USB, OLED display, confirm/cancel buttons.
 
=== BitSafe - allten/someone42's hardware wallet ===
[[File:Bitsafe-wallet-sizecompare.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Bitsafe wallet]]
[https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=127587.0 BitSafe Hardware Wallet Development - BOM Ready - 50 kits being prepared]

Signing transactions only, requires USB host software for transactions & USB power. Has a OLED display and Confirm/Cancel buttons. Evolved out of someone42's prototype below, and has significant contributions from someone42 as well.
 
=== someone42's original prototype ===
[[File:Someone42-wallet-prototype.jpg|300px|thumb|left|someone42's original prototype]]
[https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=78614.0 Hardware Bitcoin wallet - a minimal Bitcoin wallet for embedded devices]

Signing transactions only, requires USB host software for transactions & USB power. All work is rolled into the above BitSafe wallet currently.
 
=== BTChip btchip USB based transaction signer and private key holder ===
[[File:Btchip-wallet.jpg|300px|thumb|left|BTChip]]
[https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=134999.0 ANN Smartcard wallet project + btchip implementation (no reader required)]

[http://www.btchip.com www.btchip.com]

USB smartcard dedicated to bitcoins, no keypad or display so trust in the host device is required. An improvement has been implemented that uses a secret value known to the user during the transaction for additional security.
 
=== Other/Defunct but with good discussion: ===
* natman3400's BitClip Jun 2011 [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=24852.0 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=24852.0]
:Seems to have gone defunct around Dec 2011. Some good ideas though and seemed to have started on execution.
* jim618 hardware wallet proposal Apr 2012 [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=77553.0 Dedicated bitcoin devices - dealing with untrusted networks]
:Great discussion and good ideas from jim618. Also linked the following video:
* Prof. Clemens Cap's hardware wallet? (video:)[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IavQ-Wc8S1U Clemens Cap about electronic bitcoin wallet at EuroBit]
:Clemens Cap of Uni Rostock explains the Electronic Bitcoin wallet device he's working on. It's based on adafruit microtouch device.
* ripper234's discussion based on Yubikeys Aug 2012 [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=99492 Having a YUBIKEY as one of the parties for m-of-n signatures]
:The use of Yubikeys. They only support symmetric crypto, so you'd have to trust the host device.
* kalleguld's hardware wallet proposal Oct 2012 [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=115294.0 Proposal: Hardware wallet (Win 3 BTC)]
* Vaporware: Matthew N Wright's ellet [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=85931.0 ANN The world's first handheld Bitcoin device, the Ellet!] (Vaporware)

== Smart Card based wallets ==
This type of device requires complete trust in the host device, as there is no method for user input.
See [[Smart card wallet]]

== Related Resources ==
* slush's Hardware wallet wire protocol discussion: [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=125383.0 Hardware wallet wire protocol]
* kjj's Todo List discussion for client protocol requirements: [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=19080.msg272348#msg272348 in topic Re: Split private keys]
* paybitcoin's original post: [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=134277.0 Hardware Wallet Roundup]
* [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=135090.0 This thread] about editing this very wiki entry.

[[Category:Security]]
[[Category:Wallets]]

File:Btchip-wallet.jpg

2013-01-13T06:31:39Z

Paybitcoin: btchip wallet, from http://www.btchip.com

== Summary ==
btchip wallet, from http://www.btchip.com
== Licensing ==
{{Fair use}}

File:Someone42-wallet-prototype.jpg

2013-01-13T06:29:16Z

Paybitcoin: someone42's prototype wallet. From https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=78614.msg1327630#msg1327630

== Summary ==
someone42's prototype wallet.

From https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=78614.msg1327630#msg1327630
== Licensing ==
{{Fair use}}

File:Bitsafe-wallet-sizecompare.jpg

2013-01-13T06:25:42Z

Paybitcoin: A picture of the Bitsafe wallet, compared to a Casascius 25 BTC coin. From https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=135737.0

== Summary ==
A picture of the Bitsafe wallet, compared to a Casascius 25 BTC coin.

From https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=135737.0
== Licensing ==
{{Fair use}}

File:Trezor-wallet-casing.jpg

2013-01-13T06:16:01Z

Paybitcoin: The case for the Trezor wallet. From slush's post here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=122438.0

== Summary ==
The case for the Trezor wallet. From slush's post here:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=122438.0
== Licensing ==
{{Fair use}}

File:Bitcoincard-medley-large.jpg

2013-01-13T06:08:37Z

Paybitcoin: A picture of the Bitcoin card from the bitcoincard.org website.

== Summary ==
A picture of the Bitcoin card from the bitcoincard.org website.
== Licensing ==
{{Fair use}}

Hardware wallet

2013-01-07T00:03:27Z

Paybitcoin: Initial page from 'Hardware Wallet Roundup' forum post, needs cleanup

A hardware wallet is a device that stores a part of a user's [[Wallet]] securely in mostly-offline hardware. They have major advantages over other wallet types:

* the key is often stored in a protected area of a microcontroller, and cannot be transferred out of the device in plaintext
* immune to computer viruses that steal from software wallets
* can be used securely and interactively, as opposed to a [[Paper wallet]] which much be imported to software at some point
* much of the time, the software is open source, allowing a user to validate the entire operation of the device

This page is an attempt to summarize all the known developments of hardware wallets that can use Bitcoin as part of their operation.

== Hardware Wallets ==
Some of the more feasible (prototype stage or better) wallets are:
=== BitcoinCard - Megion Technologies-Card based wallet ===
[http://www.bitcoincard.org/ Bitcoincard Home Page]

[http://blog.bitinstant.com/blog/2012/6/19/our-discovery-in-vienna-the-bitcoin-card.html Excellent review by evoorhees]

[http://blog.bitinstant.com/storage/post-images/card_medley_large.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1340161076023 img]

The closest so far to a mass market solution, incorporates a display, keypad, and radio (custom ISM band protocol.) Unfortunately it is fairly limited in terms of transaction I/O, requiring a radio gateway or another bitcoincard wherever funds need to be transferred. Possibly transactions could be delivered over giant QR codes.

=== piglet? - slush/stick hardware wallet ===
[https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=122438.0 ANN Hardware wallet project]

[http://i.imgur.com/A4Ga8.jpg img]

A simple transaction-signing device, requires software on the receiving side to send and receive transactions. Talks over USB, no keypad for entering data.

=== BitSafe - allten's hardware wallet ===
[https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=127587.0 ANN BitSafe Hardware Wallet Development - BOM Ready - 50 kits being prepared]

[http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o575/mqpickens/tmp_BitSafeDevelopment.png img]

Signing transactions only, requires USB host software for transactions & USB power. Evolved out of someone42's prototype below, and has had significant contributions from someone42 as well.

=== someone42's (prototype) hardware wallet ===
[https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=78614.0 Hardware Bitcoin wallet - a minimal Bitcoin wallet for embedded devices]

[http://i.imgur.com/H0AVo.jpg img]

Signing transactions only, requires USB host software for transactions & USB power. All work is rolled into the above BitSafe wallet currently.

=== BTChip - btchip USB based transaction signer and private key holder ===
[https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=134999.0 ANN Smartcard wallet project + btchip implementation (no reader required)]

[http://www.btchip.com www.btchip.com]

[http://www.btchip.com/btchip.jpg img]

USB smartcard dedicated to bitcoins, no keypad or display so trust in the host device is required.

=== Other/Defunct but with good discussion: ===
* natman3400's BitClip Jun 2011 [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=24852.0 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=24852.0]
:Seems to have gone defunct around Dec 2011. Some good ideas though and seemed to have started on execution.
* jim618 hardware wallet proposal Apr 2012 [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=77553.0 Dedicated bitcoin devices - dealing with untrusted networks]
:Great discussion and good ideas from jim618. Also linked the following video:
* Prof. Clemens Cap's hardware wallet? (video:)[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IavQ-Wc8S1U Clemens Cap about electronic bitcoin wallet at EuroBit]
:Clemens Cap of Uni Rostock explains the Electronic Bitcoin wallet device he's working on. It's based on adafruit microtouch device.
* ripper234's discussion based on Yubikeys Aug 2012 [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=99492 Having a YUBIKEY as one of the parties for m-of-n signatures]
:The use of Yubikeys. They only support symmetric crypto, so you'd have to trust the host device.
* kalleguld's hardware wallet proposal Oct 2012 [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=115294.0 Proposal: Hardware wallet (Win 3 BTC)]
* Vaporware: Matthew N Wright's ellet [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=85931.0 ANN The world's first handheld Bitcoin device, the Ellet!] (Vaporware)

== Smart Card based wallets ==
This type of device requires complete trust in the host device, as there is no method for user input.
See [[Smart card wallet]]

== Related Resources ==
* piglet Hardware wallet wire protocol discussion: [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=125383.0 Hardware wallet wire protocol]
* kjj's Todo List discussion for client protocol requirements: [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=19080.msg272348#msg272348 in topic Re: Split private keys]
* paybitcoin's original post: [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=134277.0 Hardware Wallet Roundup]

User talk:Paybitcoin

2013-01-06T23:28:57Z

Paybitcoin: Created page with "Hello, this is my talk page. ~~~ ----"

Hello, this is my talk page. [[User:Paybitcoin|paybitcoin]] ([[User talk:Paybitcoin|talk]])
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User:Paybitcoin

2013-01-06T23:28:34Z

Paybitcoin:

Hello, this is my user page. [[User:Paybitcoin|paybitcoin]] ([[User talk:Paybitcoin|talk]])

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User:Paybitcoin

2013-01-06T23:27:37Z

Paybitcoin: initial talk page

Hello, this is my talk page. [[User:Paybitcoin|paybitcoin]] ([[User talk:Paybitcoin|talk]])

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