We had the pleasure of meeting Tangem Wallet at PlanB 2025 in Lugano, a crucial event for those working in the Bitcoin and Web3 industry. Tangem presented itself with a clear vision: to redefine self-storage by making it accessible to everyone, transforming the challenging concept of cold storage into an everyday, simple gesture.
We had a chat with the team to find out more details about this product, which stands out as a hardware wallet in the form of a physical card, eliminating the need for cables, batteries or bulky devices.
Below is the full analysis of the questions and answers that emerged during our exclusive conversation.
The Exclusive Interview: A Vision for the Future of Self Storage
Welcome to Lugano. Let’s start with the concept that makes Tangem unique: a hardware wallet that is a card. What is the philosophy behind this design choice and how does it translate into a tangible benefit for the end user?
Our vision is clear: to make self-storage as easy and intuitive as using a credit card. Friction and complexity are the main enemies of secure mass adoption. Tangem Wallet is a physical card that uses NFC technology to communicate with the smartphone. This eliminates the need for complex interfaces, cables, or the worry about charging. The benefit for the user is immediate and portable management of their assets, drastically reducing the points of failure and easing the transition from the centralised model to complete control over their funds. It is the hardware wallet that integrates seamlessly into everyday life.
Simplicity must necessarily go hand in hand with security. How do you assure users that a card, despite its minimalist appearance, offers a level of security equal or superior to other, more voluminous hardware wallets? What are the key certifications?
Security is at the heart of our product and resides in the integrated cryptographic chip. Despite its small size, this chip is a state-of-the-art component, developed by Samsung Semiconductors. It holds Common Criteria EAL6+ certification, which is one of the highest security standards for hardware of this type, typically used for biometric passports and banking components. The private key is exclusively generated and securely stored within this chip and can never be extracted, even by us or through sophisticated attacks. Our platform is also subjected to rigorous third-party security audits, ensuring the transparency and integrity of the system.
A common obstacle for new users is the management of the seed phrase, the loss or compromise of which can be catastrophic. How does Tangem address this problem and offer a simpler and more secure backup solution?
We have revolutionised the concept of backup. Tangem Wallet does not require a seed phrase. The user can link up to three physical cards to the same wallet. This creates a distributed, physical backup mechanism. If one card is lost or damaged, the other two act as immediate access keys to the funds. This system makes seed phrase an option, not a requirement, alleviating the anxiety associated with its safekeeping or potential inadvertent digitisation. The user has full control over his or her cryptographic destiny, without having to deal with the complexity of seed.
Let’s talk about usability and versatility. What are the key functionalities of the Tangem application and how does it interact with the DeFi ecosystem?
The mobile application, available on iOS and Android, is our interface to the crypto world. Interaction is instantaneous: just bring your card close to your smartphone (NFC) to authenticate transactions. The App supports thousands of cryptocurrencies on over a hundred blockchains, including BTC, ETH, SOL, and many others. Most importantly, the App offers full support for the Wallet Connect protocol, allowing users to interact with the entire DeFi ecosystem: decentralised exchanges (DEX), lending platforms, NFT markets, all while signing transactions with the security of the EAL6+ chip. The goal is to offer maximum DeFi functionality with maximum hardware security.
The physical durability of the product is a key issue. How durable is the Tangem card and what are its specifications for resistance to the external environment?
We have designed the card to withstand the test of time and everyday accidents. Our cards are IP68 and IP69K certified, which means they are fully resistant to dust, water, extreme temperatures, and are also protected from interference and electrostatic discharge. They are designed to be carried in your pocket, exposed to splashes or even dropped in water without the functionality of the chip being affected. We test the cards far beyond standard requirements, and our confidence in this product is such that we offer a replacement guarantee for over 25 years. Physical reliability is a critical aspect of self-storage.
Finally, what is the future of Tangem? Are there any developments planned for the App or new features coming that will position your technology for the next wave of Web3 adoption?
Our development path is continuous. We are constantly working to integrate new blockchains and improve the user experience within the App, focusing in particular on optimising the interaction with the Layer 2 ecosystem and on-chain staking systems. We want to make the crypto-native experience more and more seamless. In addition, we are introducing Tangem Pay, a non-custodial spending account integrated into the wallet that allows you to keep USDC on-chain and pay via a virtual Visa card, without giving up control of your keys. Looking ahead, Tangem Wallet becomes not just a cryptocurrency deposit, but a self-custody payment hub for everyday use in Web3.
This article provides an interesting insight into this development.
The analysis conducted at PlanB 2025 in Lugano revealed a mature product and an extremely lucid corporate vision. Tangem is answering the call for cold storage solutions that combine institutional level security (EAL6+) with consumer usability (NFC and optional multi-card backup). The minimalist approach, without sacrificing robustness, makes Tangem a strong contender in the hardware wallet arena.
An article will follow in which we will present a practical test of the product and an in-depth analysis of the user experience, testing the durability and smoothness of the app.
We sincerely thank TANGEM for their cooperation and for sharing their vision with Blockworld.it readers.
