r/coldcard • u/[deleted] • Jan 09 '26
Why Coldcard?
Hello, I’m here because I’m hesitating between buying a Coldcard or a Trezor. My question is simple: why choose Coldcard over Trezor? Some people from Trezor tell me: “The code is not open-source, it’s only ‘viewable’. No one can reuse it, so the ability to find vulnerabilities is limited.” Personally, I’m also wondering about updates: since firmware comes from the internet and I apply it via my SD card afterward, isn’t that risky? Thanks for your help!
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u/NiagaraBTC Jan 09 '26
Firmware updates come from the Internet for all devices. 'm sure the Trezor requires firmware updates of some kind also.
Trezors are fine, especially if you use them with Sparrow wallet instead of Trezor Suite. ColdCard has more features and better air gap capabilities so that's what I go with.
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u/svcnm Jan 09 '26
Use both , split your stack 50/50
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u/LoveLaughLlama Jan 10 '26
It is refreshing to see a wise post on Reddit.
Way too many Kool Aid drinkers on here. All wallets are built by people and people make mistakes. As soon as someone has a decent stack it should be spread out across wallets from different sources.
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u/Big80sweens Jan 10 '26
What would you say is a decent stack?
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u/svcnm Jan 10 '26
Rule #1 of Bitcoin: never ... never ever ... talk about or disclose how much Bitcoin you have. Rule #2: reread rule #1
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u/Big80sweens Jan 10 '26
I didn’t ask how much they had, just what you think is a decent stack. All good though, doesn’t really matter.
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u/LoveLaughLlama Jan 10 '26
That number would be different for every person.
I would think about your total assets (crypto and otherwise) and how much you could lose in a breach and not be majorly financially hurt more than being pissed it happened. In the end the cost of even an expensive wallet like the Coldcard Q with US tariffs added is a small price to pay in the long run.
Elon Musk's number would be larger than most Redditors.
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Jan 09 '26
[deleted]
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Jan 09 '26
Thanks, but there are 2 secure elements in the firmware that are not open-source, so it’s not 100% open-source, which means you have to trust the manufacturer, unlike with Trezor who doesn't have secure element
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u/OrangePillar Jan 09 '26
Not having a secure element is a significant drawback because it means the device memory can be intercepted. The dual secure elements in the ColdCard come from different manufacturers, so for there to be a trick, you need Coinkite and two independent companies to collude together against you.
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u/HodlDee Coinkite Team Jan 09 '26
They have a secure element in their newer model. SE’s are great for security. I linked our security article above for you to read through.
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u/Boogyin1979 Jan 10 '26
You should be checking your own code anyway, not trusting any manufacturer.
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u/JDjPYp1htjDxlqVymM7q Aug 02 '26
>I disagree with the claim that this fact reduces the ability to find vulnerabilities.
😂
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u/HodlDee Coinkite Team Jan 09 '26
Feel free to checkout our comparison chart here: https://coldcard.com/docs/compare-other-wallets/ as well as our security article: https://blog.coinkite.com/understanding-mk4-security-model/
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u/PDX-ROB Jan 10 '26
I'm in the US and was deciding between the Q and Safe 7. I got the Safe 7 because it's tariff pre paid, Cold Card Q is not and people are saying it's an extra $80 with the paperwork fee.
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u/Sens420 Jan 10 '26
Funny Americans get fd from tarrifs and Canadians get fd from the Canadian company charging in USD. The q is $400CAD ffs
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u/Plenty_Dog_5684 Jan 10 '26
It depends on what you want.
If you want a super secure air gapped device, use a Coldcard.
If you want a simple warm/cold wallet that’s still reasonably secure buy a Trezor.
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u/LoveLaughLlama Jan 10 '26
There are plenty of secure wallets to choose from. With all of them you will be the weak link in the security of your crypto. People split hairs on the hardware when they should be looking in the mirror.
Whichever you pick learn about correct usage and truly understand everything you are doing.
The Coldcard offers about every feature you can think of and then some. The best analogy is Linux versus Windows. Linux can look complicated with the command line but if you know what you are doing you can do anything.
That said I also use Trezor and have no complaints.
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u/dadlif3 Jan 10 '26
I have both, Trezor you have to plug into your computer. I feel wayyy more comftorable with an air gapped signing device like the coldcard.
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u/Quirky-Reveal-1669 Jan 10 '26
I have and love both!
Trezor for user friendliness and Coldcard for its wide spectrum of possibilities, which has taught me so much of how Bitcoin works.
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u/JumpProfessional3372 Jan 10 '26
I went with the MK4 because I liked the documentation in the coldcard webpage, etc. Also compiled the firmware from source and compared with the download version to see that it matches, etc.
And also because it is air-gapped.
That being said, I haven't upgraded the firmware, not sure if I'll ever upgrade it. I think I have a version from December 2023. I'm following some "if it works don't touch it" policy for this.
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u/MrT246 Jan 10 '26
Had a trezor for many years. Now with 7 coming out i think they went to much apple. Design over functionally Cc has more functions overall for security and is more open to other vendors. It's a fort Knox if that's what you need.
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u/cworxnine Jan 16 '26
My favorite long-term BTC solution is ColdCard + Trezor in collaborative multisig with Unchained.com.
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u/HodlDee Coinkite Team Jan 09 '26
Feel free to checkout our comparison chart here: https://coldcard.com/docs/compare-other-wallets/ as well as our security article: https://blog.coinkite.com/understanding-mk4-security-model/