Intro
The BitBox02, created by Swiss wallet maker Shift Cryptosecurity, is a hardware wallet designed to be as minimal and trustless as possible. It plugs directly into most devices compatible with USB-C, and all software used, from the firmware to the native app, is open source. This makes it easy to verify and audit the software used. A notable cofounder is Jonas Schnelli, one of the developers of Bitcoin Core.
The BitBox02 comes in 2 variants - a "multi" version, which contains support for Litecoin, Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens - it also includes U2F support, for convenient use as a Security Key. The other option is a "Bitcoin-only" version, with drastically minimized firmware and reduced attack surface for people who know they'd only be stacking sats.
I would recommend this product if you're looking for a hardware wallet to hold a small-to-medium size stash and don't mind being limited to Android and desktop apps. Recommend the BTC-only edition for new BTC Maxis who don't have much interest in other coins and don’t have massive stashes yet. The multi is great for ETH and ERC20 enthusiasts, and people who would like more token options than just bitcoin, or are looking for U2F support in their wallet.
Things we love
💚 This wallet is great for holding small to medium crypto stashes.
💚 Open-source code means the code is easily verifiable and audited.
💚 Integrates directly into your full node.
💚 Able to transact directly through Tor for enhanced privacy protection.
💚 Direct support for vetted projects.
Things we'd improve
💔 Has no native iOS or iPadOS app. Users with these devices need a computer to use BitBox.
💔 Needs to be connected to the internet for use - impossible to airgap.
💔 Small selection of natively-supported tokens and currencies.
Dimension | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
🚀🚀🚀 | As simple as can be expected. On-wallet passcode is set, mnemonic is generated and an initial microSD backup is generated. | |
🚀🚀🚀 | No native iOS app so a portion of users may not be able to use the wallet on the go. | |
🚀🚀🚀🚀 | This thing is stunning - Very well-designed, with 3 main gestures for interfacing with the wallet - tap, swipe and squeeze. They are implemented in a consistent and intuitive way, so after a while you get an idea of what gestures do what actions. | |
🚀🚀🚀 | Example: The iPhone app seems to be updated much more frequently than the Android app. The last update included new features and bug fixes. | |
🚀🚀🚀 | Has a dedicated Telegram channel for answering questions, giving support and discussing products with the devs and community. | |
🚀🚀🚀 | Available in EU, and most of the remainder of the world through various resellers (like BitLift!) | |
🚀🚀🚀 | No sensitive data ever leaves the device - this includes your mnemonic, private keys and anything else you wouldn't want falling into the wrong hands. Receiving addresses are shown both in-app and verified on the OLED screen on the BitBox02 itself. The microSD backup is a potential attack vector if not stored securely enough. | |
🚀🚀🚀🚀 | Telegram channel for interacting with other BixBoxers around the world. Some high-profile bitcoiners present. Available on social networks with frequent retweets of BitBox users. | |
🚀🚀🚀 | Many innovative features, like bluetooth connectivity, have been stifled in the name of reducing attack vector and keeping your crypto safe. Integrates directly into many trustworthy third-party apps for better functionality, like multisig through Electrum. | |
🚀🚀🚀🚀 | Tor proxy and full node integration available in the native app. |
Rating definitions
🚀 - Terrible. Dimension ignored.
🚀🚀 - Okay. Needs love.
🚀🚀🚀 - Great! Nice job.
🚀🚀🚀🚀 - Excellent! Above & beyond!
Specification | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
iPhone App | 🚫 | |
Android App | ✅ | https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ch.shiftcrypto.bitboxapp |
Web / Desktop App | ✅ | |
Bitcoin | ✅ | |
Ethereum | ✅ | "Multi" version only. |
Alt Coins | ✅ | "Multi" version only. Natively supports LTC, TUSD, USDC, LINK, BAT, Maker, 0x, Sai, and Dai |
Crypto Trading | 🚫 | |
Website | ✅ | |
Twitter | ✅ | |
Reddit | 🚫 | |
Podcast Interviews | ✅ |
My Step by Step Experience
- My BitBox02 showed up in the mail. Yay!
- I then ventured to their website and downloaded BitBoxApp onto my Windows PC. Installed quickly and painlessly.
- I plug in my new crypto partner and set up my wallet. I generated a brand-new mnemonic, set a passcode I would enter whenever I plugged in my device, and created my first backup on its included microSD card.
- All done! The app opens, I enter my passcode for the first time, and I gain access to the full features of the app and start stacking sats!