Securing your cryptocurrency means more than just using a hardware wallet. Your recovery phrase—the 12, 18, or 24-word seed that unlocks your funds—is the ultimate key to your assets. If you lose it, you lose everything. Writing it on paper is a start, but paper burns, fades, and disintegrates. That’s where metal seed storage devices come in.

These indestructible backups ensure your recovery phrase survives fire, flood, corrosion, and time itself. Whether you're a long-term HODLer, a privacy advocate, or simply want peace of mind, investing in a quality metal seed backup is a must. Below are the top metal seed phrase storage options available in 2025, each offering unique benefits in form, function, and durability.

Why Material Matters: Fire and Corrosion Resistance

House fires often reach temperatures between 1,100°F and 1,500°F (593°C to 815°C)—more than enough to destroy paper backups and even melt some household safes. That’s why material choice is critical when selecting a seed phrase backup.

• 316 stainless steel (often called marine-grade) can withstand temperatures up to 1,400°C (2,552°F) and resists rust, oxidation, and chemical corrosion, making it a reliable and cost-effective choice.
  
  
• Titanium offers even greater protection, with a melting point of 1,668°C (3,034°F). It’s not only heatproof but also impervious to saltwater, industrial chemicals, and long-term corrosion. If you want maximum durability, titanium is the premium option.
  
  
• Avoid aluminum. While it may appear strong, aluminum melts at just 660°C (1,220°F)—well below the temperatures reached in a typical house fire. It also corrodes faster and lacks the structural resilience of steel or titanium.

If you're securing life-changing amounts of crypto or planning for long-term inheritance, choosing the right metal is as important as using a backup at all.

‍

Metal Seed Backup Seed Formats

Some Devices Use Only Four Letters Per Seed Word
BIP39 seed phrases are based on a list of 2,048 words. Since no two BIP39 words share the same first four letters, recording just those four characters is enough for full recovery. This saves space and simplifies recording without sacrificing accuracy.

Some Devices Use Numbers Instead of Words
SLIP39 and some advanced wallets convert each word into a unique 4-digit number or encoded value. This enables techniques like Shamir Secret Sharing, which splits a seed into multiple shares for enhanced security. Punching numbers into titanium plates is also often easier and more uniform than etching full words.

‍

Best Metal Seed Phrase Backup for Crypto

‍

1. SafePal Cypher

Price: $44.99

The SafePal Cypher is a no-fuss, stainless steel solution for securing your seed phrase. With a wallet-sized design and support for all standard BIP39 lengths, it’s perfect for everyday users who want something that’s fireproof and corrosion-resistant but easy to store and assemble.

Highlights:

• Supports 12/18/24-word BIP39 phrases
• Made of 304-grade stainless steel
• Fireproof, waterproof, corrosion-resistant
• Compact, wallet-sized form factor

‍

2. Cryptotag Loki, Zeus, Thor

Price: Loki - €99, Zeus - €149, Thor - €415

Forged from titanium, Cryptotag products aren't just a backup—they’re a fortress for your recovery phrase. Loki and Zeus can each record one 24-word seed phrase or two 12-word phrases, encoded as four-digit BIP39 numbers. Using the included punching tool, you mark each number on a precision-milled grid. 

The Thor model works a bit differently—rather than numbers, it uses a stamping system to imprint the first four letters of each word directly onto the titanium plate. All models are engineered for extreme durability and tested against fire, impact, and even bullets.

Highlights:

• Laser-cut titanium construction
• Loki & Zeus: punch grid for BIP39 4-digit codes
• Thor: stamps first 4 letters of each word
• Punch or stamping tools included
• Tested against fire, bullet impact, and corrosion
• Backed by partnerships with Trezor and Ledger

‍

2.1 Cryptotag Odin

Price: €240

The Cryptotag Odin offers top-tier seed phrase security using the Shamir Secret Sharing (SLIP39) protocol. It splits your recovery phrase into multiple shares, each stored on a durable titanium hexagon. You decide the total shares and the minimum needed for recovery.

Each hexagon stores up to 20 SLIP39 words as 4-digit numbers (conversion sheets included). Punch these numbers into the titanium. One side has fields for Total Shares, Threshold, Share Number, and Wallet Number. Distributing these shares provides ultimate backup redundancy. Odin works with SLIP39-compatible wallets like Trezor and Keystone.

Highlights:

• Uses SLIP39 for multi-share backups.
• Stores up to 20 SLIP39 words per hexagon as 4-digit numbers.
• Punch-and-hammer imprinting on titanium.
• Features fields for SLIP39 configuration.
• Extremely durable titanium construction.
• Compatible with SLIP39 wallets (Trezor, Keystone).

‍

3. Trezor Keep Metal 24-word

Price: $99

Designed by the makers of one of the first hardware wallets, Trezor Keep Metal delivers a robust and beginner-friendly stainless steel solution for safeguarding your recovery seed. It stores 24 words total—either one 24-word phrase or two 12-word phrases—by physically punching the first four letters of each BIP39 word into the plate. 

Highlights:

• Stores 24 words (1×24 or 2×12 BIP39 phrases)
• Uses 316-grade stainless steel
• Corrosion and water-resistant
• Beginner-friendly tile system for punching 4-letter word prefixes
• Available in both 20-word and 24-word variants
• BIP39-compatible

‍

4. Cryptosteel Capsule & Cassette

Price: Capsule €70, Cassette - €159

Cryptosteel offers rugged elegance with their two flagship models: the Cassette and the Capsule. Both use high-grade steel and clever design to let you securely encode your seed with zero electronics.

Highlights:

• Grade-60 stainless steel (industrial-level)
• Designed for harsh environments
• No third-party tools needed
• Compatible with all BIP39 wallets

‍

5. Billfodl

Price: $99

Billfodl by Privacy Pros is known for simplicity and reliability. Using pre-engraved stainless steel tiles, you can manually assemble your phrase with zero etching or stamping—ideal for those who value convenience.

Highlights:

• High-grade stainless steel
• Fire, water, and electric shock resistant
• Easy to use and assemble
• Discreet shipping

‍

6. Seedor Safe

Price: Seedor Safe - €70, Seedor Safe Starter Pack - €152

Seedor takes a sleek approach to seed phrase protection. The Seedor Safe consists of a 316 stainless steel capsule with internal fasteners to securely hold your engraved seed. The Starter Pack includes the capsule plus the stamping tools needed to engrave your phrase, making it a complete out-of-the-box solution. With polished metal construction and customizable engraving options, it combines aesthetic appeal with durability.

Highlights:

• 316 stainless steel capsule and fasteners
• Acid, corrosion, and fire-resistant
• Can store up to 24 words
• Starter Pack includes stamping tools for engraving

‍

7. BitBox Steelwallet & Steelwallet Pro

Price: Steelwallet - $73, Steelwallet Pro - $224 

Engineered by the Swiss crypto specialists Shift Crypto, the BitBox offers two robust solutions for safeguarding your seed phrase.

The BitBox Steelwallet is a durable stainless steel plate where users can stamp the first four letters of each BIP39 seed word using an optional stamping kit (not included). Its straightforward design offers a secure and compact way to back up your recovery phrase.

The BitBox Steelwallet Pro takes durability and discretion to the next level. This premium option features a dual-plate, folding design made from high-quality stainless steel. Users stamp the first four letters of their seed phrase onto the individual sections, which then fold together for enhanced protection and portability.

Highlights (for both models):

• Designed for maximum durability, crafted from stainless steel.
• Employs a system of recording the first four letters of each BIP39 seed word.
• Compact and travel-ready form factor.
• Resistant to fire and flood.
• The Steelwallet Pro features a unique, discreet folding design and a dual-plate system for added protection.

‍

8. SecuX XSEED Series

Price: XSEED - $39, XSEED Plus - $59, XSEED Pro - $89

The SecuX XSEED series offers a range of durable metal solutions for backing up your seed phrase, with different models utilizing either stainless steel or aluminum alloy, catering to various preferences for setup and material properties:

SecuX XSEED: This standard edition allows for engraving your seed phrase letters directly onto the aluminum alloy plates. It provides a lightweight yet secure way to record your recovery words using an engraving tool.

SecuX XSEED Plus: This edition is designed for stamping your seed phrase letters onto the stainless steel plates. It enables a clear and lasting impression of your recovery words using a stamping kit, offering enhanced durability.

SecuX XSEED Pro: This advanced edition features a pre-stamped stainless steel letter tile system. You simply select the appropriate tiles and assemble them within the provided secure frame to represent your 12, 18, or 24-word seed phrase.

Highlights (for the entire series):

• Compatible with 12, 18, and 24-word seed phrase setups.
• Utilizes durable stainless steel (Plus & Pro) and aluminum alloy (Standard) construction for resilience.
• Offers budget-friendly options across the range.

‍

9. Keystone Tablet & Tablet Plus

Price: Keystone Tablet - $49 & Keystone Tablet Plus - $69 

Keystone offers robust stainless steel solutions for securing your recovery phrase. The Keystone Tablet and the redesigned Keystone Tablet Plus are designed to hold pre-stamped letter tiles, offering a durable and organized way to safeguard your seed words. These tablets are built to pair seamlessly with Keystone hardware wallets but also serve as strong standalone options.

Highlights:

• Designed to securely hold pre-stamped letter tiles for 12 or 24-word seed phrases.
• Constructed from durable 304-grade stainless steel.
• Features a modular grid layout for organized tile placement.
• The Tablet Plus model features individual slots for each letter tile and a more robust screw system for enhanced security.

‍

10. CoolWallet CoolKey

Price: $99

CoolKey is CoolWallet's durable and discreet cold-storage backup for your seed phrase. Made from stainless steel, this device is slightly larger than a credit card and functions similarly to a Billfodl. It features channels designed to hold pre-stamped stainless steel letter tiles (not included) to represent your 12, 18, or 24-word BIP39 seed phrase.

Highlights:

• Durable stainless steel construction.
• Fireproof and rustproof.
• Slightly larger than a credit card, designed to hold pre-stamped letter tiles.
• Compatible with 12, 18, or 24-word seed phrases.
• Compatible with all CoolWallet products.

‍

11. Coinkite Seedplate Kit

Price: Seedplate Kit - $149.99, Single Seedplate - $49.97

From the makers of the Coldcard comes the Coinkite Seedplate, a robust and secure way to back up your cryptocurrency seed phrase. The Seedplate Kit includes three marine-grade stainless steel plates and one punch tool, allowing you to physically engrave your recovery words. Each individual plate is designed to hold either two 12-word seed phrases or one 24-word seed phrase, making it highly versatile. 

Highlights:

• Kit includes 3 Seedplates and 1 Punch Tool.
• Each plate holds two 12-word seeds or one 24-word seed.
• Constructed from corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel.
• Uses a punch tool for permanent, DIY engraving.
• Discreet and highly durable.

‍

12. ELLIPAL Seed Phrase Steel

Price: $49

ELLIPAL offers a simple but tough seed storage plate made of aerospace-grade metal. It’s ideal for users who want to complement their ELLIPAL hardware wallet with strong physical protection.

Highlights:

• 316 stainless steel
• Compatible with 12/24-word phrases
• Resistant to corrosion, fire, and impact

‍

13. OneKey KeyTag

Price: $59

The OneKey KeyTag offers a robust and highly portable solution for backing up your seed phrase, designed with precision and a minimalist aesthetic. Each kit includes two KeyTags and a punch tool, allowing you to create duplicate backups or store different seed phrases. Crafted from durable aircraft-grade titanium alloy, these keytags are built to withstand extreme conditions.

Highlights:

• Kit includes two KeyTags and one punch tool.
• Made from aircraft-grade titanium alloy.
• Seed words are recorded as 4-digit numbers.
• Each side accommodates 13 words (e.g., 12 words + 1 passphrase).
• Compact, minimalist design for stealthy and durable storage.

‍

14. NGRAVE Graphene

Price: €148 + €28 for additional Lower Plates 

The NGRAVE Graphene is a groundbreaking recoverable metallic wallet backup system, built from robust multi-layer stainless steel. It's designed specifically for NGRAVE's "Perfect Key" which is not a traditional 12 or 24-word seed phrase. Instead, the Graphene secures 8 strings of 8 alphanumeric characters that form your unique cryptographic key.

The system features two interconnected plates. The upper plate has strategically placed holes for each character. The user then, guided by these holes, punches the characters onto the lower plate. Crucially, the information on the lower plate is unreadable without the upper plate as a guide. This innovative design means that if you lose the upper plate, a replacement can be securely ordered directly from NGRAVE, allowing for recovery.

While these 8 strings can be converted to and from standard 12 or 24-word seed phrases for use with other wallets, this conversion adds an extra step for users who don't own an NGRAVE hardware wallet. This makes the Graphene a highly specialized and secure solution, offering unparalleled resilience and a unique recovery mechanism.

Highlights:

• First recoverable metallic wallet backup: Lost upper plate can be replaced by NGRAVE for recovery.
• Secures NGRAVE's "Perfect Key" (8 strings of 8 alphanumeric characters), not standard BIP39 words directly.
• Constructed from multi-layer stainless steel.
• Unique two-plate punch system: Upper plate acts as a template for punching onto the lower plate; lower plate unreadable without upper.

‍

A Metal Seed Phrase Backup Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential

At the bare minimum, your seed storage device must be made of stainless steel—preferably 316L or 304-grade, as seen in options like the SafePal Cypher ($44.99), ELLIPAL Seed Phrase Steel ($49), or the Keystone Tablet ($49). These are the cheapest viable options that offer reliable protection against fire, water, corrosion, and physical shock. Anything less—like aluminum or plastic—is insufficient and may fail when you need it most.

If you're looking for the most exotic or advanced solution, the Cryptotag Thor (€415) sits at the top of the food chain. It's forged from titanium, tested against bullets, blowtorches, and extreme conditions, and comes with a punch tool to imprint your seed deeply. If you're using a SLIP39/Shamir configuration, the Cryptotag Odin (€240) provides a multi-share backup in titanium that’s both durable and discreet.

The NGRAVE Graphene (€148+), despite its name, is made of stainless steel and uses a clever two-layer design to obscure your seed phrase without requiring direct engraving. It offers a hybrid between security and usability but isn't made of actual graphene, as the name might suggest.

A Legitimate Decoy for Plausible Deniability

Beyond disaster recovery, metal seed backups also legitimize the existence of your decoy wallet. If you're employing a multi-wallet setup—one for plausible deniability and another for real cold storage—then having a metal backup to show in the event of coercion lends credibility to your cover story. A decoy wallet written on paper invites suspicion. One stored in stainless steel looks like your main stash.

Watch the Shipping and Import Fees

Be mindful of the country of origin and your own country’s import laws. Products like Cryptotag (Netherlands) or NGRAVE (Belgium) may incur hefty shipping costs or customs duties if you live outside the EU. Conversely, American brands may carry added costs for EU buyers. Always check shipping and import fees—sometimes a slightly more expensive item locally will be cheaper and faster than importing a lower-cost item internationally.

Author’s Recommendation

As the author, if I had to choose just one, I’d go with one of the budget-friendly stainless steel options like the SafePal Cypher ($44.99), ELLIPAL Seed Phrase Steel ($49), or the Keystone Tablet ($49). Then, I’d take the money saved and buy more Bitcoin. You can always buy fancier hardware wallets or backup devices later if your stack grows or your threat model changes.

There’s an argument to be made for DIY metal backups, but let’s be honest—finding the right materials, buying tools, learning engraving techniques, and dealing with early trial-and-error is likely more expensive in time and wasted materials than just spending $50 on a purpose-built device. And the final result will look and feel a lot more professional.

No matter which route you choose, what matters is this: protect your seed phrase like your financial future depends on it—because it does.

Build Your Cold Storage Setup—One Step at a Time

A stainless steel seed phrase backup is the first step toward a resilient cold storage setup—but it's not the last. For even more robust protection, pair your metal backup with a reliable signing device that suits your stack and security needs.

Want to build a bulletproof setup from the ground up? Start here:

• Top 20 Hardware Wallets for Crypto Cold Storage – A complete guide to the most trusted devices available today.
  
  
• Best Bitcoin-Only Hardware Wallets of 2025 – For those who keep it simple and sovereign.
  
  
• Best Biometric Hardware Wallets in 2025 – Ideal if you value both privacy and convenience.
• Best Credit Card-Sized Hardware Wallets in 2025 - For concealed carrying semi cold wallets.
  
  
• Top 6 Hardware Wallets for NFTs in 2025 – Because digital collectibles deserve real security too.

Start with the essentials. Add more when it makes sense. What's important is that you actually start.

‍