Tangem is a Swiss technology company that develops and manufactures hardware wallets for cryptocurrencies and other digital assets. ^[1] The company's flagship product, the Tangem Wallet, is a self-custodial wallet in the form factor of a credit card. It is designed to simplify cryptocurrency management by using Near-Field Communication (NFC) to interact with a mobile application, removing the need for batteries, cables, or buttons. Tangem's approach to security is centered on a Common Criteria EAL6+ certified Secure Element chip embedded in each card, which generates and stores the user's private keys without ever exposing them. ^[2]​

Overview

Tangem was established to address the usability and security challenges commonly associated with cryptocurrency self-custody. Traditional hardware wallets can present a steep learning curve for new users due to complex setup procedures, the need to manage physical connections, and the critical responsibility of securing a paper seed phrase. Tangem's solution simplifies this process by embedding the wallet's core security functions into a familiar card format. ^[1]​

The system's core operational principle is "tap-to-transact." To manage funds, a user taps their Tangem card against their NFC-enabled smartphone. This action powers the card's chip and establishes a secure connection with the Tangem mobile application. The app serves as the interface for viewing balances and constructing transactions. To authorize a transaction, the user must tap the card again. This physical action prompts the card's internal chip to sign the transaction, ensuring that the private key never leaves the secure hardware environment and is not exposed to the smartphone, which could be compromised. This design aims to make secure self-custody more intuitive and accessible to a broader audience. ^[2]​

History

Tangem AG was founded in 2017 in Luzern, Switzerland, with co-founder Andrey Kurennykh playing a central role in its establishment. The company's mission was to make digital asset ownership mainstream by creating a simple and secure tangible storage solution. ^[3]​

Between 2018 and 2019, the company focused on developing its core technology and underwent its first major security evaluation with Kudelski Security to validate its firmware. In 2021, Tangem launched the Tangem Wallet 2.0, a multi-currency version of its product supported by a redesigned mobile application capable of managing a wide range of digital assets. A significant firmware update was released in 2023, which introduced the option for users to generate or import a wallet using a standard BIP39 seed phrase, providing an alternative to the company's default seedless backup system. By November 2025, the company reported it had sold over six million wallets and announced the rollout of its payment feature, Tangem Pay. ^[2]​

Technology and Security

Tangem's architecture is based on the integration of certified hardware, a distinct key management system, and independently audited firmware and software.

Hardware

The Tangem Wallet is a monolithic plastic card, similar in size and durability to a standard credit card. It has an IP68 rating, certifying its resistance to dust and water. The card's design is minimalistic, containing no battery, screen, buttons, or physical connectors, which reduces the number of potential points for physical or electronic failure. ^[1]​

The central component of each card is a Samsung S3D350A Secure Element (SE) microchip. This chip is certified at the Common Criteria EAL6+ level, one of the highest security assurance levels available for commercial microelectronics. This level of certification is typically used in applications requiring robust security, such as passports, national ID cards, and secure banking systems, and it signifies that the chip is protected against both invasive and non-invasive attacks. ^[4]​

Key Management

Tangem provides two distinct methods for private key management and backup, allowing users to choose based on their security preferences.

Seedless Backup

The default and primary backup mechanism is a seedless system. During the initial wallet setup, a true random number generator (TRNG) within the Secure Element chip of the first card generates the private key. This key is designed to be non-exportable and never leaves the chip. To create backups, the user taps the other cards in the set (typically one or two) to the smartphone. The private key is then securely cloned from the primary card to the backup cards over an encrypted NFC channel. This process is protected by an access code created by the user. The result is a set of two or three identical cards, each holding the same private key, which provides redundancy without requiring the user to write down and secure a traditional seed phrase. ^[1]​

Seed Phrase (BIP39) Backup

For users who prefer the industry-standard method of backup, Tangem's firmware also supports the generation or importation of a 12 or 24-word BIP39 seed phrase. When this option is chosen, the user is responsible for securely storing the seed phrase, which can be used to restore access to the funds on a new Tangem wallet or any other BIP39-compatible wallet. This feature allows Tangem to serve both newcomers to crypto and experienced users who are accustomed to seed phrase-based recovery. ^[2]​

Tangem App

The Tangem App, available for iOS and Android, functions as the user interface for the hardware wallet. The application itself is non-custodial and does not store any private keys or sensitive user data. Its primary roles are to read public blockchain data to display asset balances, build transaction requests, and facilitate interactions with decentralized applications (dApps) through the WalletConnect protocol. All communication between the app and the hardware wallet occurs via NFC. The Tangem App is open-source, with its source code available on GitHub for public review and verification by security researchers. ^[5]​

Security Audits

The firmware embedded in the Tangem Wallet's chip has undergone a comprehensive, independent security audit by the Swiss cybersecurity firm Kudelski Security. The audit's final report concluded that the firmware was secure and that the private keys are generated randomly and are protected from extraction. The audit found no backdoors or critical vulnerabilities in the cryptographic implementation. ^[4]​

Products

Tangem offers several products built on its core card-based hardware wallet technology.

Tangem Wallet

The company's flagship product is the Tangem Wallet, which is sold in sets of two or three cards to facilitate the built-in backup mechanism. It is designed for individuals seeking a secure and user-friendly method for the long-term storage and management of a diverse portfolio of digital assets, including cryptocurrencies, tokens, and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). ^[6]​

Tangem Pay

Announced in November 2025, Tangem Pay is a feature designed to enable real-world spending directly from a user's self-custodial wallet. The initial implementation features a virtual Visa card that can be used for online and in-store purchases wherever Visa is accepted. This service allows users to spend stablecoins, such as USDC, from their Tangem Wallet without first needing to transfer them to a centralized exchange or custodial service, thereby bridging the gap between secure self-custody and conventional payments. ^[2]​

Tangem Ring

The Tangem Ring is a wearable hardware wallet in the form of a finger ring. It incorporates the same Secure Element chip and NFC technology as the Tangem cards, allowing users to authorize transactions by tapping the ring on their smartphone. The product is designed for users who prioritize convenience and quick access to their digital assets. ^[1]​

Supported Assets

The Tangem Wallet supports thousands of cryptocurrencies and tokens across dozens of different blockchains. This includes major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and XRP, as well as a vast number of tokens built on various standards, such as ERC-20 on Ethereum, BEP-20 on BNB Chain, and SPL on Solana. The wallet also supports the storage and management of NFTs on compatible blockchains. ^[7]​