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Best Credit Card-Sized Hardware Wallets in 2025

Written by
Lukas Bauer
Last Update
May 29, 2025
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Ultra-portable crypto security that fits in your wallet

As cryptocurrency ownership continues to grow in 2025, so does the demand for secure, portable, and discreet ways to manage digital assets. Enter the credit card-sized hardware wallet, a powerful tool that fits in your actual wallet, combining cold storage security with mobile-friendly convenience. These slim devices offer everything from biometric authentication to Bluetooth connectivity, enabling seamless transaction signing on the go.

This compact hardware wallet category is split into two broad types:

  1. Screen-equipped card-sized hardware wallets that allow for transaction detail verification directly on the device, preserving the gold standard of cold storage security.

  2. Screenless NFC signing cards, which rely on smartphones or other trusted screens for transaction verification, offer minimalism, speed, and flexibility at a lower cost and power footprint.

This guide explores the best options in both categories, starting with screen-equipped card wallets, followed by leading NFC-based signing cards built for convenience and composability.

Credit Card-Sized Wallets with Built-In Screens

These wallets offer the ideal balance of portability and secure user interaction. Because the screen is built into the device, users can verify transaction details before signing, providing protection against malware or blind signing. They’re ideal for mobile-first users who still want the assurance of a fully air-gapped security experience.

SecuX Shield BIO 

Biometric Authentication Meets Cold Storage in Card Format

Price: $149 

The SecuX Shield BIO is a new entrant in the cold storage market for 2025, and it sets itself apart by integrating fingerprint biometrics into a credit card-sized cold wallet. Designed for both form and function, the Shield BIO offers a built-in screen for transaction verification, a secure element chip, and multiple connectivity options.

Key Features:

  • Fingerprint biometric access (capacitive sensor) adds an extra layer of user authentication.

  • Built-in display ensures all transaction details are verified on the device.

  • Secure Element (CC EAL5+) provides hardened protection for private keys.

  • Supports a broad range of coins, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, ERC-20s, BNB Chain, Polygon, and Solana.

  • Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity for mobile and desktop use.

  • Works with the SecuX Mobile App for Android and iOS.

Why it Stands Out:
Shield BIO is ideal for users who want a discreet and travel-friendly cold wallet that doesn’t sacrifice security. The biometric feature is especially attractive for those seeking faster access without PINs or passwords, though it remains optional. The screen allows direct verification of sensitive actions like withdrawals or smart contract interactions, making it much safer than screenless options.

Limitations:

  • No open-source firmware (as of mid-2025)

  • It may be overkill for users who prefer simpler, non-biometric security models

CoolWallet Pro and CoolWallet S

Pioneers of the Card-Sized Hardware Wallet Category

Price: CoolWallet S - $149 & CoolWallet Pro $149

CoolWallet has been a dominant name in ultra-thin hardware wallets since 2018. Their two flagship devices—CoolWallet S and CoolWallet Pro—continue to offer a solid balance of portability, security, and mobile-first design. Both models feature an e-paper display and a tactile physical button for transaction confirmation.

CoolWallet Pro Highlights:

  • Secure Element (CC EAL6+) certified for high-end cryptographic protection.

  • Supports staking for Polkadot, Cosmos, and Tron directly via the CoolBitX app.

  • Compatible with DeFi and NFT platforms, including WalletConnect support.

  • Pairs over encrypted Bluetooth with iOS and Android apps.

  • Supports BTC, ETH, BNB, LTC, XRP, TRX, XTZ, ADA, and all ERC-20 tokens.

CoolWallet S Highlights:

  • More affordable alternative with the same slim design.

  • Focused support for major coins: BTC, ETH, LTC, XRP, and ERC-20.

  • Basic cold storage without staking or DeFi integrations.

Why it Stands Out:
The CoolWallet Pro and S remain the most battle-tested wallets in this form factor. The small screen and physical button ensure all actions are user-authorized on-device. The bend-resistant waterproof build makes them ideal for frequent travelers, and the encrypted Bluetooth connection ensures compatibility with the latest mobile wallets and DeFi apps.

Limitations:

  • Reliant on the CoolBitX app for many advanced features.

  • The display, while functional, is small and not ideal for reading long smart contract data.

OneKey Classic 1S & 1S Pure

A Slim, Screened Wallet from OneKey’s Expanding Ecosystem

Price: OneKey Classic 1S - $99 & OneKey Classic 1S Pure - $79

The OneKey 1S brings the well-regarded OneKey security architecture into a minimalist card format. With a thin body, touchscreen interface, and support for QR-based air-gapped signing, this wallet is designed for users who want screen-level verification without bulky hardware.

Key Features:

  • Secure Element ensures hardware-isolated private key storage.

  • Capacitive touchscreen for PIN input and transaction approvals.

  • Bluetooth, USB-C, and air-gap QR code workflows.

  • Supports a wide range of coins: BTC, ETH, Solana, Polkadot, Cosmos, and more.

  • Integrates into the OneKey desktop and mobile apps with active community development.

Why it Stands Out:
The OneKey 1S is excellent for multi-chain users who want security and sleek design. It’s thin enough to fit in a wallet or card sleeve, yet robust enough to function as a primary hardware wallet. Its compatibility with QR-code-based workflows also makes it useful in air-gapped operational setups, a rare feature at this size.

The 1S Pure version offers the same security and functionality but omits the integrated battery. This design choice makes it slightly more affordable at $79, while still supporting USB-C and air-gapped QR workflows — ideal for users who prefer to power their wallet only when needed.

Limitations:

  • As of 2025, OneKey has partial open-source firmware, but not every component is verifiable.

  • The touchscreen is small, so it may not be ideal for blind users or those with dexterity challenges.

NFC Card-Sized Hardware Wallets & Signing Cards (No On-Device Screen)

Stepping away from traditional hardware wallets with built-in displays, this category introduces a minimalist yet powerful approach to cold storage. These ultra-portable, NFC-enabled cards aren’t just “signing accessories” — they’re full-fledged hardware wallets in their own right. Instead of using an onboard screen for verification, they rely on a secure element embedded within the card, capable of signing transactions offline and keeping your private keys safely isolated.

The user experience is refreshingly straightforward: transactions are prepared and reviewed on your smartphone or tablet, then signed with a secure NFC tap. This "tap-to-sign" mechanism eliminates the need for batteries or charging, and reduces the wallet’s physical footprint to something thinner than a credit card. The result is an elegant blend of simplicity, security, and mobility.

While they lack on-card visual verification — a deliberate trade-off — they excel in portability, discretion, and ease of integration into mobile-first workflows. These wallets are ideal for quick everyday use, as secure components within multi-signature setups, or as key backups that are easy to import into a new hardware wallet if needed. Their battery-free, tamper-resistant design also makes them excellent choices for recovery or inheritance planning, offering streamlined access without compromising security.

CoolWallet Go

Minimalism Meets Security in NFC Format

Price: $60

The CoolWallet Go is a stripped-down, screenless sibling to the CoolWallet Pro, designed purely for mobile NFC tap-to-sign workflows. Unlike the Pro or S, it does not include a screen or battery. It’s powered by the mobile device during signing and remains cold when not in use.

Key Features:

  • No display – signs via NFC with transaction details shown in the CoolBitX app.

  • Secure Element stores private keys offline.

  • Waterproof, bend-resistant card ideal for EDC.

  • Supports major coins and most ERC-20 tokens.

Why it Stands Out:
The Go is ideal for users who are comfortable using their smartphone app as the trusted screen. It’s also perfect for travel or as a backup device, where you want the security of a hardware wallet without a full-sized form factor.

Limitations:

  • No standalone functionality without the app.

  • Blind signing risk if mobile device is compromised.

Tangem Wallet (2025 Edition)

Next-Gen Self-Custody Without a Seed Phrase

Price: 2 Card Set - $54.90 & 3 Card set - $69.90 

Tangem’s latest edition in 2025 builds on its unique no-seed approach to wallet backups. You receive three identical NFC cards—one primary and two backups. Instead of memorizing or storing a seed phrase, you simply keep the backup cards physically safe.

Key Features:

  • Three-card system eliminates the need for a written recovery phrase.

  • NFC-based signing through a secure mobile app.

  • Wide coin support including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and more.

  • 25-year lifespan and highly secure (EAL6+ certified chip).

Why it Stands Out:
Tangem makes hardware wallet-level security approachable, especially for casual users or those who find traditional seed phrases intimidating. Setup is intuitive and fast, and the redundancy of multiple cards is a real plus.

Limitations:

  • Lacks a screen—must trust the mobile app for transaction data.

  • Recovery requires possession of the backup cards.

Dcent All-in-One NFC Card

Affordable NFC Cold Storage for the EVM Ecosystem

Price: $38

Designed for users of Ethereum and compatible chains, the Dcent All-in-One Card brings secure NFC signing to the table with a narrow focus on the EVM ecosystem. It’s a great option for those looking to secure DeFi and NFT assets with a basic card device.

Key Features:

  • NFC-only signing with mobile pairing.

  • Supports Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, Avalanche, and tokens.

  • Compatible with the D’Cent Wallet app.

  • Backup options include encrypted key export and optional seed phrase.

Why it Stands Out:
It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to store EVM assets offline. If you're mostly using Ethereum or DeFi on Layer 2s, this wallet can be your trusted daily signer without breaking the bank.

Limitations:

  • No Bitcoin support.

  • No screen; reliant on the app interface.

Ellipal X Card

Tap-and-Scan Wallet from the Ellipal Ecosystem

Price: $69 - Pre-order price for shipping on May 30th. 

The ELLIPAL X Card stands out in the growing field of credit card-sized hardware wallets by delivering true cold storage security without relying on an always-online smartphone. Unlike most card-style wallets that generate or recover keys through mobile apps, the ELLIPAL X Card is part of a two-piece system designed to keep your private key completely air-gapped from the internet at every stage.

How It Works:
The X Card itself contains a secure chip that stores your private key once generated, while the X Card Starter is a one-time setup device used to generate the wallet’s seed phrase, back it up offline, or recover it if the original card is lost. Once your card is initialized, the Starter is no longer needed unless you need to recover a lost card or generate a new one — making it a tool you can safely store in a drawer, not something you carry.

Key Features:

  • True air-gapped key generation via the offline Starter device — no internet, no mobile phone, no risk of cloud leaks.

  • Seed phrase recovery is completely offline — not dependent on QR codes or NFC-based smartphone apps.

  • Compatible with multiple hardware wallets and the broader ELLIPAL ecosystem.

  • Secure Element (SE) hardware chip inside the card provides tamper-proof private key storage.

  • Lightweight and portable credit card form factor for everyday carry or deep cold storage.

Why It Stands Out:
The ELLIPAL X Card is one of the few screenless hardware wallets that doesn’t rely on a connected smartphone to initialize or recover a wallet, which gives it a significant security edge over most NFC signing cards on the market. The inclusion of the X Card Starter ensures that everything from seed phrase generation to private key storage remains air-gapped — reducing the threat surface from phishing, spyware, or mobile OS vulnerabilities.

Limitations:

  • The card itself lacks a screen, so transaction details must still be verified using a connected device like another hardware wallet or the ELLIPAL app.

  • Requires the X Card Starter for setup or recovery, which may be an added step for users wanting plug-and-play simplicity.

  • Currently optimized for Bitcoin and EVM-compatible chains; advanced multisig or PSBT workflows may require integration with third-party tools.

Tapsigner

Bitcoin-Only NFC Key from the Coldcard Creators

The Tapsigner from Coinkite looks like a simple NFC-enabled card, but under the hood, it’s a full-featured hardware wallet purpose-built for Bitcoin. Unlike traditional wallets with USB or Bluetooth connections and bulky screens, the Tapsigner is designed for portability, discretion, and seamless integration into modern Bitcoin software wallets — all while maintaining true hardware-level private key isolation.

The Tapsigner securely generates and stores your Bitcoin master private key (XPRV) directly on the card. It never exposes this key to your phone or any external device. When you want to send Bitcoin or sign a message, your mobile wallet — such as Nunchuk, Sparrow Wallet, or other Tapsigner-compatible apps — prepares the transaction. You simply tap the card to your phone to authorize the signature via NFC. Your phone shows you what you’re signing, but the actual signature is done securely within the Tapsigner.

Key Features:

  • True Hardware Wallet Functionality: Stores and signs with an onboard private key that never leaves the device.

  • Encrypted Backup: Comes with an encrypted backup file and printed decryption code, so you can recover funds even if the card is lost.

  • Reusable & Durable: Designed for repeated, secure use over time — not a single-use or disposable solution.

  • Bitcoin-Only: Optimized for Bitcoin users, especially those who prioritize minimalism, speed, and security.

  • Multisig Ready: Integrates smoothly into multi-signature setups, making it ideal as one of several keys in a secure collaborative wallet.

  • Message Signing & Lightning Capabilities: Supports advanced operations like message signing and potentially interacting with Lightning Network setups.

Why It Stands Out:
Tapsigner reimagines what a hardware wallet can be. It doesn’t have a screen — instead, it offloads transaction detail verification to the companion software wallet. But that’s intentional. Its genius lies in maintaining strict cryptographic boundaries (your private key never leaves the card) while offering the convenience of contactless NFC signing. 

Limitations:

  • No Onboard Screen: Verification of transaction details must be trusted to the phone and app interface, which could be a concern for high-value transfers.

  • Bitcoin-Only: Not suitable for users who need multi-chain or altcoin support.

Credit Card-Sized Wallets Are the Perfect Stealth Tools in Your Crypto Arsenal

Credit card-sized hardware wallets and NFC signing cards offer a unique blend of portability, security, and convenience. Whether tucked inside your physical wallet, disguised among your bank cards, or slipped into a minimalist phone case, these devices are designed to be inconspicuous yet powerful. They serve a range of purposes — from importing private keys into NFC-capable hardware wallets, to functioning as standalone devices for quick transactions on the go. This makes them excellent candidates for “luke warm” wallet setups: not quite hot, not entirely cold, but secure enough for everyday or mid-tier crypto use.

However, if you’re serious about long-term storage and uncompromising security, remember that real cold storage means being able to verify transaction details before signing — ideally on a fully air-gapped device with its own secure screen. These slim tools are useful and innovative, but they’re not a replacement for full-featured cold storage solutions when it comes to protecting large holdings.

Want to dive deeper into the best security options?
Check out our full breakdown in Top 20 Hardware Wallets for Crypto Cold Storage to find the right solution for your specific needs.

Prefer to keep your Bitcoin completely separate from altcoins?
We’ve got you covered with our focused guide on Best Bitcoin-Only Hardware Wallets of 2025 — designed for maximalists and security-first users.

Interested in biometric authentication for a smoother UX without compromising on safety?
Explore our guide on the Best Biometric Hardware Wallets in 2025 and find the right device for your mobile-first lifestyle.

And for NFT collectors who want to view and secure their digital art on the go,
don’t miss our Top 6 Hardware Wallets for NFTs in 2025 — combining stylish form factors with integrated NFT galleries.

These slim, versatile wallets aren’t just gadgets — they’re evolving tools that make it easier to live, spend, and secure crypto in the real world. But as always, choosing the right wallet depends on how much you hold, how often you transact, and how much control you demand.

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