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When you’re serious about self-custody and demand the highest level of sovereignty, Foundation Passport Core stands out. This isn’t a wallet for beginners dipping their toes into Bitcoin. It’s for users who want total control, full transparency, and air-gapped security—without sacrificing elegance. With a beautiful industrial design, intuitive UX, and fully open-source firmware and hardware, the Passport is arguably the most cypherpunk-friendly Bitcoin hardware wallet in 2025.

In this review, we’ll explore why Passport has become the go-to cold storage device for Bitcoin maximalists. From its QR-based signing to support for advanced features like coin control, inheritance planning, and multisig, Passport gives you the tools to secure your BTC without compromise. We’ll also break down how it compares to newer wallets like Bitkey, and whether it deserves a place in your personal security stack.

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Pros & Cons

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Foundation Passport Quickspecs

• Manufacturer: Foundation Devices (USA)
• Type: Bitcoin-only, air-gapped hardware wallet
• Release Year: 2024 (latest revision)
• Price: $199
• Connectivity: QR codes, micro SD, and USB-C for firmware updates
• Display: 2.4-inch color IPS display
• Security: Secure element + fully open-source verifiable firmware
• Backup/Recovery: 12- or 24-word BIP39 seed phrase; supports passphrases
• Mobile/Desktop Integration: Works seamlessly with BlueWallet, Sparrow Wallet, Specter, and Nunchuk
• Firmware: FOSS (fully open-source, auditable)
• Supported Assets: Bitcoin (BTC) only
• Special Features:
  
  • Air-gapped transaction signing via QR
  • Full PSBT support
  • Multisig-compatible
  • Coin control + labeling
  • Taproot, SegWit, and legacy address support

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How I Used the Foundation Passport

I incorporated the Foundation Passport into my cold storage setup as one of the primary devices for long-term, high-security Bitcoin self-custody. While many hardware wallets prioritize ease of use or mobile convenience, the Passport is designed with a different philosophy—maximal security, full transparency, and air-gapped operation. It’s not something I interact with daily, and that’s the point. This is the kind of wallet you reach for when safeguarding serious holdings, not when buying a coffee.

Setup took more time than most plug-and-play devices, but it was worth the extra effort. From generating the seed phrase entirely offline to configuring multisig with full control over derivation paths and address types, Passport gives users the tools to take ownership seriously. I backed up my seed on a metal plate and added a passphrase stored separately, enhancing my security model significantly. Not all wallets offer this level of flexibility or control.

In my case, I used Passport in a multisig configuration alongside a Coldcard Q, coordinated through Sparrow Wallet. Signing transactions via QR code was quick and efficient, but Passport also supports microSD card signing—a method I tested and appreciated for its simplicity and reliability in fully offline environments. This kind of dual-mode air-gapped operation is essential when tailoring setups for varying threat models.

Before sending my first deposit, I used Passport to verify the addresses I had imported into Nunchuk. This step may seem minor, but it’s critical: confirming address ownership directly on an offline device eliminates reliance on potentially compromised software or interfaces. Like with the Coldcard Q and other robust Bitcoin-only devices, this extra layer of verification gave me confidence that my coins would land exactly where they should.

One of the standout advantages of air-gapped wallets like the Passport is the ability to verify every transaction detail—amounts, addresses, change outputs—directly on the device before signing. It’s a major safeguard against malware, phishing attempts, and fat-finger mistakes. When you’re managing larger balances or coordinating inheritance planning, you need this level of clarity and trust.

Although my involvement in the broader crypto space includes monitoring new crypto projects, exploring the best coins to buy now, and even speculating on the btc price in 2030, when it comes to long-term storage of Bitcoin—the best performing crypto asset over the past decade—I don’t cut corners. Passport isn’t my everyday wallet, and it’s not meant to be. I still use mobile hot wallets like Phoenix or BlueWallet for small, daily interactions. But for vault-tier security, Passport has earned its place in my cold storage stack.

It’s not just a wallet—it’s a cornerstone for serious self-custody. And when paired with other Bitcoin-only tools like Coldcard Q in a multisig setup, the Foundation Passport delivers one of the most secure and transparent user experiences available today.

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Rating (overall 4.6/5)

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Foundation Passport: Cold Storage for True Bitcoiners

The Foundation Passport isn’t chasing mass-market appeal—it’s built for Bitcoiners who take long-term custody seriously. While many hardware wallets prioritize mobile convenience or broad coin support, Passport leans into a different ethos: air-gapped security, full transparency, and Bitcoin-only precision.

Its minimalist design hides a lot of thoughtful engineering. There’s no USB or Bluetooth—Passport communicates via QR codes or microSD card transfers, making it one of the most secure and self-contained devices available. Setup includes offline seed generation, optional passphrase support, and full control over derivation paths and address formats, including taproot. I backed up my seed on metal, stored the passphrase separately, and verified receiving addresses directly on-device before making any deposits—an essential security step I appreciated, especially when using Passport in a multisig setup alongside a Coldcard through Nunchuk or Sparrow Wallet.

Transaction signing was smooth via both QR and microSD. Every output, address, and amount is clearly displayed on the Passport’s high-resolution screen, allowing me to verify details offline, without relying on any desktop or mobile interface. That’s the kind of assurance you want when securing long-term savings or setting up inheritance protocols.

While Passport isn’t suited for daily use or impulse trading, that’s by design. This is a vault, not a spending wallet. In a crypto world filled with hype—new crypto projects, influencers touting the best coins to buy now, and endless predictions like BTC price 2030—Passport stands apart as a sober tool for those focused on Bitcoin and self-sovereignty. If your strategy involves securing wealth rather than speculating on the next best-performing crypto, this wallet fits squarely at the cold end of the spectrum.

Want to build a stronger cold storage strategy? Explore these next:

• Best Bitcoin-Only Hardware Wallets of 2025 – For maximalists who value simplicity and sovereignty.
• Best Metal Seed Phrase Backups in 2025 – The only way to protect your seed words from fire, water, and time.
• Top 20 Hardware Wallets for Crypto Cold Storage – A complete guide to the most secure and trusted devices available today.
  Best Biometric Hardware Wallets in 2025 – Because privacy and convenience don’t have to be opposites.
• Best Credit Card-Sized Hardware Wallets in 2025 – Perfect for semi-cold storage and covert carry.
• Top 6 Hardware Wallets for NFTs in 2025 – Yes, even your digital collectibles deserve cold storage.

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FAQs

• What is the Foundation Passport Core?

The Foundation Passport Core is a Bitcoin-only, air-gapped hardware wallet designed for users who prioritize maximum security and self-sovereignty. It communicates via QR codes and microSD, ensuring your private keys remain offline.

• What does "air-gapped" mean? 

"Air-gapped" means the device does not connect to the internet or other devices via wireless or physical connections like USB or Bluetooth. The Foundation Passport Core achieves this through QR code-based transaction signing and microSD card data transfer.

• Is the Foundation Passport Core suitable for beginners? 

No, the Foundation Passport Core is not designed for beginners. It requires a higher level of technical understanding and is intended for users who are serious about Bitcoin self-custody.

• How do I sign transactions with the Foundation Passport Core? 

Transactions are signed offline by scanning QR codes or using a microSD card to transfer Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions (PSBTs) between the Passport and your computer or mobile wallet.

• What cryptocurrencies does the Foundation Passport Core support? 

The Foundation Passport Core is a Bitcoin-only hardware wallet. It does not support any other cryptocurrencies.

• What are the advantages of using a QR code for transaction signing? 

Using QR codes ensures that the device remains fully air-gapped, reducing the risk of online attacks and malware compromising your private keys.

• What is PSBT support? 

PSBT (Partially Signed Bitcoin Transaction) support allows for more complex transaction setups, such as multisignature wallets, where multiple parties need to sign a transaction before it can be broadcast to the network.

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Testimonials

Special thanks to BTC Sessions and Foundation Devices for their in-depth tutorials. Their content was invaluable in helping me confidently set up and use my Passport Core the right way:

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