SafePal

SafePal vs Ellipal Titan (2020) | Which Air-Gapped Hardware Wallet Is Better?

SafePal vs Ellipal Titan! In this comparison, we are going to do a head-to-head of two of the most competitive and popular new cryptocurrency hardware wallets in this edition of the hardware wallet roundups.

I am going to dive into which of these hardware wallets is better and more secure. How big is your portfolio? Do you need mobile AND desktop support? Do you use any 3rd party wallets for integration? Do you need web-based access instead of a required download? 

These are all questions you will need to consider when deciding which of these wallets will be best for you. At the end of the day, the coin support is one of the most important factors (besides security) when deciding which hardware wallet is best for you. 

Ultimately, if it doesn’t support the coins you want to store offline, it won’t work for your particular situation. So keep that in mind as we dive into what I consider to be the most important factors when making such an important decision, such as choosing a cryptocurrency hardware wallet.

 

SafePal: Overview

 

This device was originally created by Binance Labs division and wanted to have a unique approach to a hardware wallet that was cheap enough for the average user, but also supported the Binance chain and added support for their internal projects. This really is a unique entry level hardware wallet, that greatly differs in terms of design, functionality, and overall user experience.

SafePal: Security

 

 

This can be considered one of the most attractive features of the device as it’s only $39.99 for this hardware wallet. Yes, you read that right. But why is it so cheap? Well, even though it looks like a very sleek and expensive device, its is made of plastic coating and a very small camera module that is used to transact at a very low resolution.l It’s obvious that they built this as cheaply as they could, while still remaining secure.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, but you also get what you pay for. One of the key features that sets this device apart from most other competing hardware wallets is the fact that there is NO:

  • NFC
  • BLUETOOTH
  • USB
  • CELLULAR
  • EXTERNAL DEVICE CONNECTIONS

This gives it extra security, but it also makes it easier to use, as there are no extra devices necessary for this to operate, other than your smartphone. All you need right out of the box is a charger that supports USB-A to charge the device and a smartphone to download the SafePal App to setup and initialize the device.

 

SafePal: User Experience (UX)

 

This is the cheapest completely wireless hardware wallet on the market. It interacts only with your smartphone and the camera embedded into the device that allows you to transmit encrypted data via the QR code. This is truly a unique device.

This is a pretty solid introductory hardware wallet. It’s unique from it’s direct competitors and its simple and easy to use. As mentioned above, it has no connection weaknesses and cannot be hacked by any radio frequency or directly connected internet device. 

It’s truly a unique wireless hardware wallet that can be used on the go and is one of only a few hardware wallets that are “truly wireless” with no dependence on other devices. Oh, and did I mentioned it’s under $40?

 

SafePal: Coin Support

 

 

This is the one weak point of this product is the lack of coin support, as it only supports: Bitcoin, Ether (and ERC-20 Tokens), BNB, Litecoin, Dash, and Bitcoin Cash. However, they have mentioned that there is Ripple (XRP) and Tron (TRX) coming very shortly. They truly are attempting to add more coins, and over time, if they don’t raise their price, this option will be a slam dunk for most users.

Additionally, I will add that the Binance Chain Coins (BEP2) tokens are also supported as this is a Binance hardware wallet after all. Below Is a full list of coins currently supported.

Ellipal Titan: Overview

 

This is a really unique device and has a very robust form factor that has ratings that rival that of some high-end smartphones. What separates this hardware wallet from the majority of other popular wallets is its communication method. So, what do I mean by that? This device has NO: USB Connection, NFC Connection, WiFi Connection, Bluetooth Connection, or Cellular Connection. So, how do you use it? The short answer is: QR Codes.

 

Ellipal Titan: Security

 

 

This is a 100% air-gapped device, so ultimately it is more secure than any other way to interact with a hardware wallet. Period. The device has a tamper-resistant enclosure that includes a self-destruct mechanism for any potential way to access the internals of the device. 

It is built in such a way that if anyone tries to break the screen or drill a hole through to device in an attempt to open its internal layout, the private keys will be erased. This is extremely powerful and will ultimately deter people from trying to hack this completely wireless device.

Ellipal Titan: User Experience (UX)

 

This hardware wallet has a camera, a 4-inch full color display, and does not display any balances on the device itself. The portfolio management and execution of the device is managed via a companion iOS and Android app that is used to initiate transactions and allows you to utilize the camera from your smartphone to transfer funds securely to the cold wallet, and vice versa.

I have been using this device for several weeks now, and in my personal opinion, it has been super easy to use and also very secure. I like knowing that my device is essentially indestructible and does not require any other 3rd party connection in order for it to function. This not only makes it very convenient, but it also very secure and eliminates room for error when typing or copying pasting wallet addresses that you are trying to transact with.

 

Ellipal Titan: Coin Support

 

 

This is always the section I check the most when reviewing hardware wallets, because although functionality and security are important, none of that matters unless it supports the coins you want to store offline. So here is the current list of supported coins and the one that are currently in development listed in the above picture.

 

 

SafePal vs Ellipal Titan: Conclusion

 

Overall, these are very similar devices in many ways. They both are air-gapped. They both utilize encrypted QR codes for transmission, and they both are completely mobile and wireless. 

Having said that, these are at two opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of overall build and quality. The form factor of the SafePal is slim and nice, however it is plastic and can easily be broken and/or pried open if someone really wanted access to the internals.

The Ellipal Titan is the clear winner here, as its form factor is designed to withstand most elements and has an “anti-tampering” design that makes it almost impossible to break open. That level of quality and security against attacks (and it breaking when being dropped), is no where to be found in this class of hardware wallets. You really can’t go wrong with the Ellipal Titan, as it’s become my “go to” wallet for 2020 (so far).

 

 

 

What do you think? Would you choose the BC VAULT over the D’CENT Wallet? Let us know down below in the comments!

 

Cheers,

 

The Crypto Renegade

 

NOTE: This post may contain affiliate links. This adds no cost to you but it helps me focus on giving as much value as possible in every single post by being compensated for recommending products that help people succeed.

SafePal vs KeepKey (2020) | Which One Would Is Better?

SafePal vs KeepKey! In this comparison, we are going to do a head-to-head of two of the most competitive and popular new cryptocurrency hardware wallets in this edition of the hardware wallet roundups.

I am going to dive into which of these hardware wallets is better and more secure. How big is your portfolio? Do you need mobile AND desktop support? Do you use any 3rd party wallets for integration? Do you need web-based access instead of a required download? 

These are all questions you will need to consider when deciding which of these wallets will be best for you. At the end of the day, the coin support is one of the most important factors (besides security) when deciding which hardware wallet is best for you. 

Ultimately, if it doesn’t support the coins you want to store offline, it won’t work for your particular situation. So keep that in mind as we dive into what I consider to be the most important factors when making such an important decision, such as choosing a cryptocurrency hardware wallet.

KeepKey: Overview

 

 

KeepKey has been one of my absolute favorite hardware wallets to use in 2019. I was asked to test and report back issues with the ShapeShift beta that was a complete overhaul and utilized the KeepKey as it’s cornerstone of promoting keeping possession of your private keys under your control while you conduct trades, which has never been done before.

It was an ambitious goal, but they pulled it off in spades, and as a result it resulted in one of the best user experiences while using a hardware wallet I’ve ever encountered. It was quick, safe, and makes it easier than ever to manage your assets, portfolio, and trades all while keeping all your keys on a hardware wallet and never forfeiting custody. This is truly a game-changer and will pave the way for future hardware wallets moving into the next decade.

Let’s find out why below!

 

KeepKey: Security

 

KeepKey has a true random number generator (TRNG) for it’s PIN interface for extra physical security. In addition to offline storage, KeepKey’s PIN code and number randomization makes sure that

1) Your wallet is secure from physical theft.

2) That a hacker couldn’t steal bitcoins from your wallet with malware.

KeepKey is an HD wallet, meaning your entire wallet can be backed up with the 12 words generated on setup. 12 words is the default setting, although KeepKey supports seed lengths of 18 and 24.

The seed is generated using entropy from both the device itself and the computer used for setup. The seed is generated offline on the KeepKey and displayed on the device’s screen. The device’s offline screen makes sure the seed is never displayed on an internet-connected device.

KeepKey: User Experience (UX)

 

 

This is a complete overhaul that includes all of their services including: Instant Trades, Real-Time Market Data via CoinCap, In-App Crypto Purchases, and KeepKey Integration. That last part is of particular interest to me because I’ve wanted to find a way to execute purchases and trades while having my KeepKey connected, while ensuring that my private keys are protected throughout the entire process.

This is a very important detail, especially if you want to make purchases online with that extra protection and also ensure that my private keys are never compromised in a trade. This truly is the ultimate non-custodial hardware wallet solution. Here’s a few screenshots and user flows based on my experience using this web app.

 

KeepKey: Coin Support

 

Natively, this wallet in the current beta form supports over 40 assets with more on the way! Here is a current list of assets that are supported right now.  Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty. For years, KeepKey only supported: Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Namecoin, Dogecoin, and Dash. For a hardware wallet that needs to compete in this market place, that needed a serious upgrade.

Luckily, they have been making some AMAZING changes and not only added a ton of ERC-20 Support, but more importantly, they are revamping their entire platform to have one fluid, seamless application that integrates all of their core services (See my previous post for details on this). This is extremely powerful, and a decision that I believe will catapult them ahead of the competition. They are currently in a closed beta, and it is expected that they will be releasing this later in 2019. Stay tuned for news on this.

Some of the notable coins that have been added are:

-Chainlink (LINK)

-DigixDAO (DGD)

-Binance Coin (BNB)

-Dai (DAI)

-Maker (MKR)

-TrueUSD (TUSD)

SafePal: Overview

 

This device was originally created by Binance Labs division and wanted to have a unique approach to a hardware wallet that was cheap enough for the average user, but also supported the Binance chain and added support for their internal projects. This really is a unique entry level hardware wallet, that greatly differs in terms of design, functionality, and overall user experience.

 

SafePal: Security

 

 

This can be considered one of the most attractive features of the device as it’s only $39.99 for this hardware wallet. Yes, you read that right. But why is it so cheap? Well, even though it looks like a very sleek and expensive device, its is made of plastic coating and a very small camera module that is used to transact at a very low resolution.l It’s obvious that they built this as cheaply as they could, while still remaining secure.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, but you also get what you pay for. One of the key features that sets this device apart from most other competing hardware wallets is the fact that there is NO:

  • NFC
  • BLUETOOTH
  • USB
  • CELLULAR
  • EXTERNAL DEVICE CONNECTIONS

This gives it extra security, but it also makes it easier to use, as there are no extra devices necessary for this to operate, other than your smartphone. All you need right out of the box is a charger that supports USB-A to charge the device and a smartphone to download the Safepal App to setup and initialize the device.

SafePal: User Experience (UX)

 

This is the cheapest completely wireless hardware wallet on the market. It interacts only with your smartphone and the camera embedded into the device that allows you to transmit encrypted data via the QR code. This is truly a unique device.

This is a pretty solid introductory hardware wallet. It’s unique from it’s direct competitors and its simple and easy to use. As mentioned above, it has no connection weaknesses and cannot be hacked by any radio frequency or directly connected internet device. It’s truly a unique wireless hardware wallet that can be used on the go and is one of only a few hardware wallets that are “truly wireless” with no dependence on other devices. Oh, and did I mentioned it’s under $40?

 

SafePal: Coin Support

 

 

This is the one weak point of this product is the lack of coin support, as it only supports: Bitcoin, Ether (and ERC-20 Tokens), BNB, Litecoin, Dash, and Bitcoin Cash. However, they have mentioned that there is Ripple (XRP) and Tron (TRX) coming very shortly. They truly are attempting to add more coins, and over time, if they don’t raise their price, this option will be a slam dunk for most users.

Additionally, I will add that the Binance Chain Coins (BEP2) tokens are also supported as this is a Binance hardware wallet after all. Below Is a full list of coins currently supported.

 

SafePal vs KeepKey: Conclusion

 

Overall, these are two of the cheapest (as of this writing) hardware wallets you can get right now, with quality security propositions. With the KeepKey, you can for the first time trade your crypto non-custodially and manage your portfolio without ever handing over your private keys. This is the first of its kind.

With the SafePal, you are 100% air-gapped and there is no way to intercept the transmission, because there are no signals. Because everything is transmitted through QR codes, you know that you’re completely off the grid.

In the end, it really depends on what your crypto goals are. If you are someone who likes to trade, I would go with the KeepKey, hands down. Being able to trade and manage your portfolio while maintaining full possession of your private keys is extremely compelling. 

If you only want to hold, say, BTC, LTC, and ETH, I would go with the SafePal. It’s simple to use with a mobile device and you don’t have to worry about ever mistyping a wallet address, as the QR code ensures that you never miss a beat when transacting. If I had to choose, I’d still go with KeepKey. Even though it’s not wireless, it provides a full portfolio management platform that covers all the bases for any seasoned or new crypto user.

 

 

 

What do you think? Would you choose the BC VAULT over the D’CENT Wallet? Let us know down below in the comments!

 

Cheers,

 

The Crypto Renegade

 

NOTE: This post may contain affiliate links. This adds no cost to you but it helps me focus on giving as much value as possible in every single post by being compensated for recommending products that help people succeed.

SafePal vs BC VAULT (2020) | Which Wallet Is More Secure?

SafePal vs BC VAULT! In this comparison, we are going to do a head-to-head of two of the most competitive and popular new cryptocurrency hardware wallets in this edition of the hardware wallet roundups.

I am going to dive into which of these hardware wallets is better and more secure. How big is your portfolio? Do you need mobile AND desktop support? Do you use any 3rd party wallets for integration? Do you need web-based access instead of a required download? 

These are all questions you will need to consider when deciding which of these wallets will be best for you. At the end of the day, the coin support is one of the most important factors (besides security) when deciding which hardware wallet is best for you. 

Ultimately, if it doesn’t support the coins you want to store offline, it won’t work for your particular situation. So keep that in mind as we dive into what I consider to be the most important factors when making such an important decision, such as choosing a cryptocurrency hardware wallet.

BC VAULT: Overview

 

 

Unlike most other popular cryptocurrency hardware wallets, like Ledger Nano X and Trezor Model T, you do not set up a recovery seed card before you initialize the device. In fact, there is a gyro sensor for you to randomly generate private keys by physically shaking the device (seriously).

You can also hold more than 2000 unique wallets within the web app, and can granularly set specific passwords for each one and setup multiple PIN’s to not only make it more secure, but also allows for an easy way to share the device and use Multi-Sig. In fact, this is the first device that natively allows you to use Multi-Sig on a per wallet basis and set multiple PIN’s.

This wallet does not use HD wallets, so each wallet has its own unique backup. This does make it more secure, however, if you lose or forget the global PIN and global password for the device, your funds are locked inside forever. They do have an encrypted QR code backup for each individual wallet, or you can create a backup on the included micro SD card that comes in the box.

 

BC VAULT: Security

 

The storage is reliable. The BC Vault’s private keys have complete encryption and they are stored in the FRAM device. The FRAM is fully tamper-resistant and thanks to the reversible USB 3.0 Type-C connector any damage occurring from mechanical error is fully prevented.

In addition to the secure FeRAM that is securely encrypted, and the large display which is useful when confirming transactions, you have peace of mind not having to worry about anyone locating or using a recovery seed phrase to render your funds useless.

You can also import any private keys you have elsewhere via the SD card as well, so you can easily interchange private keys from other wallets if you have them in the correct format.

BC VAULT: User Experience (UX)

 

 

This wallet has some pretty unique features I will admit, and it’s pretty refreshing. For example, you can use multiple cryptocurrencies at once. There are no “apps” you need to install or fear or worry of running out of space that most wallets have when upgrading the firmware.

Additionally, the amount of coins and wallets that can be used/stored simultaneously is astounding. As mentioned above, you can have up to 2000 unique wallets and can interchange multiple cryptos in multiple wallets.

 

BC VAULT: Coin Support

 

This is usually one of the most important factors when deciding on a hardware wallet (with the exception of security). If the wallet doesn’t currently support the coins you need to store offline, you can’t really take it too seriously as a deciding factor for purchase. Regardless of whether or not they claim to add more coins in the future.

 Needless to say, they have some unique choices for coin support HERE.

SafePal: Overview

 

This device was originally created by Binance Labs division and wanted to have a unique approach to a hardware wallet that was cheap enough for the average user, but also supported the Binance chain and added support for their internal projects. This really is a unique entry level hardware wallet, that greatly differs in terms of design, functionality, and overall user experience.

 

SafePal: Security

 

 

This can be considered one of the most attractive features of the device as it’s only $39.99 for this hardware wallet. Yes, you read that right. But why is it so cheap? Well, even though it looks like a very sleek and expensive device, its is made of plastic coating and a very small camera module that is used to transact at a very low resolution.l It’s obvious that they built this as cheaply as they could, while still remaining secure.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, but you also get what you pay for. One of the key features that sets this device apart from most other competing hardware wallets is the fact that there is NO:

  • NFC
  • BLUETOOTH
  • USB
  • CELLULAR
  • EXTERNAL DEVICE CONNECTIONS

This gives it extra security, but it also makes it easier to use, as there are no extra devices necessary for this to operate, other than your smartphone. All you need right out of the box is a charger that supports USB-A to charge the device and a smartphone to download the Safepal App to setup and initialize the device.

SafePal: User Experience (UX)

 

This is the cheapest completely wireless hardware wallet on the market. It interacts only with your smartphone and the camera embedded into the device that allows you to transmit encrypted data via the QR code. This is truly a unique device.

This is a pretty solid introductory hardware wallet. It’s unique from it’s direct competitors and its simple and easy to use. As mentioned above, it has no connection weaknesses and cannot be hacked by any radio frequency or directly connected internet device. It’s truly a unique wireless hardware wallet that can be used on the go and is one of only a few hardware wallets that are “truly wireless” with no dependence on other devices. Oh, and did I mentioned it’s under $40?

 

SafePal: Coin Support

 

 

This is the one weak point of this product is the lack of coin support, as it only supports: Bitcoin, Ether (and ERC-20 Tokens), BNB, Litecoin, Dash, and Bitcoin Cash. However, they have mentioned that there is Ripple (XRP) and Tron (TRX) coming very shortly. They truly are attempting to add more coins, and over time, if they don’t raise their price, this option will be a slam dunk for most users.

Additionally, I will add that the Binance Chain Coins (BEP2) tokens are also supported as this is a Binance hardware wallet after all. Below Is a full list of coins currently supported.

 

SafePal vs BC VAULT: Conclusion

 

Overall, these are two very unique wallets at two ends of the spectrum in terms of quality, price, and overall usability. On the one hand, the SafePal is an entry level device which you can get for under $40 and is completely air-gapped and wireless. It doesn’t hold that many coins yet, but it will slowly add more coin support over time.

The BC VAULT is more of an advanced user wallet, that not only supports multiple wallets, but can securely share wallets with multi-sig and also securely share it among family and friends. This is a very robust wallet offering and the easiest one to use with multi-sig, which is inherently more secure.

You can’t really go wrong with either of these wallets, but I would have to say the BC VAULT is going to be my choice here. It holds hundreds of more coins and have a very easy to use UI. Yes, this is NOT a wireless device, but its robust security features and vast coin support easily make up for its usability factor. I absolutely feel that this device is going to allow me to securely store all of my private keys offline, especially with shared wallets.

 

 

What do you think? Would you choose the BC VAULT over the D’CENT Wallet? Let us know down below in the comments!

 

Cheers,

 

The Crypto Renegade

 

NOTE: This post may contain affiliate links. This adds no cost to you but it helps me focus on giving as much value as possible in every single post by being compensated for recommending products that help people succeed.

D’CENT vs SafePal (2020) | Which Wireless Hardware Wallet Is Better?

D’CENT vs SafePal! In this comparison, we are going to do a head-to-head of two of the most competitive and popular new cryptocurrency hardware wallets in this edition of the hardware wallet roundups.

I am going to dive into which of these bluetooth hardware wallets is better and more secure. How big is your portfolio? Do you need mobile AND desktop support? Do you use any 3rd party wallets for integration? Do you need web-based access instead of a required download? 

These are all questions you will need to consider when deciding which of these wallets will be best for you. At the end of the day, the coin support is one of the most important factors (besides security) when deciding which hardware wallet is best for you. 

Ultimately, if it doesn’t support the coins you want to store offline, it won’t work for your particular situation. So keep that in mind as we dive into what I consider to be the most important factors when making a such an important decision, such as choosing a cryptocurrency hardware wallet.

 

SafePal: Overview

 

This device was originally created by Binance Labs division and wanted to have a unique approach to a hardware wallet that was cheap enough for the average user, but also supported the Binance chain and added support for their internal projects. This really is a unique entry level hardware wallet, that greatly differs in terms of design, functionality, and overall user experience.

 

 

SafePal: Security

 

 

This can be considered one of the most attractive features of the device as it’s only $39.99 for this hardware wallet. Yes, you read that right. But why is it so cheap? Well, even though it looks like a very sleek and expensive device, its is made of plastic coating and a very small camera module that is used to transact at a very low resolution.l It’s obvious that they built this as cheaply as they could, while still remaining secure.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, but you also get what you pay for. One of the key features that sets this device apart from most other competing hardware wallets is the fact that there is NO:

  • NFC
  • BLUETOOTH
  • USB
  • CELLULAR
  • EXTERNAL DEVICE CONNECTIONS

This gives it extra security, but it also makes it easier to use, as there are no extra devices necessary for this to operate, other than your smartphone. All you need right out of the box is a charger that supports USB-A to charge the device and a smartphone to download the Safepal App to setup and initialize the device.

SafePal: User Experience (UX)

 

This is the cheapest completely wireless hardware wallet on the market. It interacts only with your smartphone and the camera embedded into the device that allows you to transmit encrypted data via the QR code. This is truly a unique device.

This is a pretty solid introductory hardware wallet. It’s unique from it’s direct competitors and its simple and easy to use. As mentioned above, it has no connection weaknesses and cannot be hacked by any radio frequency or directly connected internet device. It’s truly a unique wireless hardware wallet that can be used on the go and is one of only a few hardware wallets that are “truly wireless” with no dependence on other devices. Oh, and did I mentioned it’s under $40?

 

SafePal: Coin Support

 

 

This is the one weak point of this product is the lack of coin support, as it only supports: Bitcoin, Ether (and ERC-20 Tokens), BNB, Litecoin, Dash, and Bitcoin Cash, DigiByte (DGB), NEO, and Zcash (ZEC) . However, they have mentioned that there is Ripple (XRP) and Tron (TRX) coming very shortly. They truly are attempting to add more coins, and over time, if they don’t raise their price, this option will be a slam dunk for most users.

Additionally, I will add that the Binance Chain Coins (BEP2) tokens are also supported as this is a Binance hardware wallet after all. Below Is a full list of coins currently supported.

D’CENT: Overview

 

The D’CENT is a mobile and bluetooth connected wireless hardware wallet device. With additional biometric security and the ease of use, this is a contender for the easiest to use mobile and wireless wallet. So how is it different than Ledger Nano X or other bluetooth devices? The Biometric security is a large differentiator here. It’s super convenient and makes it easy to sign and authenticate transactions on the go.

This means if you want to move your crypto from cold storage to a hot wallet, it can be done quickly and easily. A common scenario here would be if you are trying to pay a friend or you’re shopping and want to pay for a product in store very seamlessly. Let’s take a look at the security, features, and price below to go into a little more detail.

 

D’CENT: Security

 

 

The flagship feature of D’CENT is hands down the biometric security feature of the fingerprint sensor. There are some other hardware wallets that communicate with mobile, and can utilize Face ID or Touch ID for extra authentication with their mobile app, but this gives your authentication on the physical device as well. This is a unique and very secure feature that is not used by any other hardware wallet currently on the market.

The hardware wallet features a built-in fingerprint scanner that manages access to the hardware wallet. This security process improves the convenience for the users and enhances the security during access control. It also provides the wallet with fast transaction signing.

 

  • Multi-IC architecture design
  • Bank grade EAL 5+ Secure Element (This is the same security chip used in the Ledger Nano X)
  • Secure OS embedded on microprocessor

 

D’CENT: User Experience (UX)

 

 

One of the main features I like here is the option to generate a valid QR code on the large OLED screen of this device as a way to send funds directly from your smartphone to your D’CENT wallet. This is super convenient and truly makes this a wireless and independent device that can be used on the go via the D’CENT app, which also includes a market price section and of course all of your wallets and current fiat amount stored within each one.

What’s also nice is you no longer need to backup and restore this device for firmware upgrades like you do with other devices (although you can, since this device can also support bluetooth and USB connectivity if you choose). This makes this a very convenient choice when considering the ease of use and security when choosing how to secure your private keys.

 

D’CENT: Coin Support

 

The coin support is varied. The D’CENT can store and support Bitcoin, Ethereum, ERC20 tokens, RSK, RRC20 (RSK tokens), Ripple (XRP), and MONACOIN. To many, this may not seem like it is very much, however, a majority of the major tokens are ERC-20 tokens and all can be supported natively on this device, which is good. I have not come across a hardware wallet yet that supports RSK and RRC20 tokens yet natively, so that definitely makes this an exclusive hardware wallet first for the D’CENT wallet!

 

 

D’CENT vs SafePal: Conclusion

 

Overall, these are two of the most interesting wallets out there. On the one hand, the SafePal is embracing the QR code level security of an entry level wallet, but is lacking in its overall coin support. I do expect this to change over time and expand their offerings as they begin to gain market share.

On the other hand, the D’CENT is the only hardware wallet that offers biometric securirty (by use of your thumbprint) as an extra layer of security for signing and authorizing transactions. This is nice in knowing that no one can process any transactions, even if they know your password and/or PIN code. 

The D’CENT is also lacking (in comparison to other mainstream hardware wallets) in terms of coin support, but supports the RSK chain (Bitcoin Side-Chain) that is unique to this wallet and will still support all the main coins you get on every other hardware wallet.

At the end of the day, I would go with the SafePal. It’s currently under $40 and has air-gapped technology and is a completely wireless device that doesn’t require you to connect to a computer to manage your crypto assets. That’s not to say the D’CENT is bad, I just would rather spend less and get what some could construe as a better security model, even though its current coin support leaves much to be desired.

 

 

 

What do you think? Would you choose the D’CENT over the SafePal? Let us know down below in the comments!

 

Cheers,

 

The Crypto Renegade

 

NOTE: This post may contain affiliate links. This adds no cost to you but it helps me focus on giving as much value as possible in every single post by being compensated for recommending products that help people succeed.

SafePal vs Ledger Nano S (2020) | Which Entry Level Hardware Wallet Is Better?

SafePal vs Ledger Nano S! In this comparison, we are going to do a head-to-head of two of the most competitive and popular new cryptocurrency hardware wallets in this edition of the hardware wallet roundups.

I am going to dive into which of these entry-level hardware wallets is better and more secure. How big is your portfolio? Do you need mobile OR desktop support? Do you use any 3rd party wallets for integration? Do you need web-based access instead of a required download? 

These are all questions you will need to consider when deciding which of these wallets will be best for you. At the end of the day, the coin support is one of the most important factors (besides security) when deciding which hardware wallet is best for you. 

Ultimately, if it doesn’t support the coins you want to store offline, it won’t work for your particular situation. So keep that in mind as we dive into what I consider to be the most important factors when making such an important decision, such as choosing a cryptocurrency hardware wallet.

 

Ledger Nano S: Overview

 

 

The Ledger Nano S is a very compact, sleek, and secure device that allows you to store over 1,100 cryptocurrencies at the time of this writing. This is crucial as more altcoins gain acceptance and you need a wide portfolio to protect longer term. Ledger takes their security very seriously and for good reason. There have been a number of exchange hacks and reports of people losing or having their wallets hacked by nefarious individuals throughout history. This is why having this device is so crucial.

Ledger Nano S is a device that is upgraded frequently with new features and firmware upgrades to ensure that it has the latest security protections and new assets being added every single month. Not to mention, it is currently the cheapest among the 3 best-known hardware wallet companies, starting at only $59 USD!

 

Ledger Nano S: Security

 

The Ledger Nano S has an A-grade security setup which sets it apart from the competition. It uses a secure element which holds and stores the private keys in a separate and secure environment from the rest of the operating system. This ensures that if for any reason the rest of the device is somehow compromised, you precious private keys are safe.

It also supports the standards BIP-39 protocol that requires you to setup a recovery seed phrase of 24 words during the initial setup, that allows you to restore your coins to any other wallet in the event you have broken, lost, or somehow cannot gain access to the device itself, so you have a fail safe.

Ledger Nano S: User Experience (UX)

 

 

I will keep this section short and sweet, as I addressed above, this is a sleek and compact device, which makes it very stable and durable. It has a small OLED screen and 2 physical buttons. This is used for navigating apps, verifying your pin to access to the device, confirming a transaction, and generating the recovery seed words upon first time setup.

When entering in your PIN on the device, the right button will function as the “Up” arrow, and the left button the “Down” arrow for scrolling through your selections, then pressing both at the same time will confirm your selection, so it’s pretty intuitive. It has a one port which is micro USB that connects to a cable to a standard USB port that can be used on a MAC or PC.

 

Ledger Nano S: Coin Support

 

Technically, this device supports over 1,000 different coins, with a few caveats below. I will also leave a link for the full list of supported coins HERE.

– You can really only hold 3 or 4 apps on the device at once. I originally only kept 3 apps on the device, as those were the only coins I needed to add at the time. However, when I went to add a 4th, it told me I needed to remove an existing app to make room. The RAM or space is on the device is very limited, so it’s good if you have only 2-3 coins you want to manage at once.

-They require you go through the process of removing and uninstalling all apps and then going in and reinstalling them for EVERY firmware update. This is tedious and really obnoxious for the serious hardware wallet user. I understand you need to have backups and be careful with every upgrade but c’mon, this is the only device I have this issue with.

SafePal: Overview

 

This device was originally created by Binance Labs division and wanted to have a unique approach to a hardware wallet that was cheap enough for the average user, but also supported the Binance chain and added support for their internal projects. This really is a unique entry level hardware wallet, that greatly differs in terms of design, functionality, and overall user experience.

 

SafePal: Security

 

 

This can be considered one of the most attractive features of the device as it’s only $39.99 for this hardware wallet. Yes, you read that right. But why is it so cheap? Well, even though it looks like a very sleek and expensive device, its is made of plastic coating and a very small camera module that is used to transact at a very low resolution.l It’s obvious that they built this as cheaply as they could, while still remaining secure.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, but you also get what you pay for. One of the key features that sets this device apart from most other competing hardware wallets is the fact that there is NO:

  • NFC
  • BLUETOOTH
  • USB
  • CELLULAR
  • EXTERNAL DEVICE CONNECTIONS

This gives it extra security, but it also makes it easier to use, as there are no extra devices necessary for this to operate, other than your smartphone. All you need right out of the box is a charger that supports USB-A to charge the device and a smartphone to download the SafePal App to setup and initialize the device.

SafePal: User Experience (UX)

 

This is the cheapest completely wireless hardware wallet on the market. It interacts only with your smartphone and the camera embedded into the device that allows you to transmit encrypted data via the QR code. This is truly a unique device.

This is a pretty solid introductory hardware wallet. It’s unique from its direct competitors and its simple and easy to use. As mentioned above, it has no connection weaknesses and cannot be hacked by any radio frequency or directly connected internet device. It’s truly a unique wireless hardware wallet that can be used on the go and is one of only a few hardware wallets that are “truly wireless” with no dependence on other devices. Oh, and did I mentioned it’s under $50?

 

SafePal: Coin Support

 

 

This is the one weal point of this product is the lack of coin support, as it only supports: Bitcoin, Ether (and ERC-20 Tokens), BNB, Litecoin, Dash, and Bitcoin Cash. However, they have mentioned that there is Ripple (XRP) and Tron (TRX) coming very shortly. They truly are attempting to add more coins, and over time, if they don’t raise their price, this option will be a slam dunk for most users.

Additionally, I will add that the Binance Chain Coins (BEP2) tokens are also supported as this is a Binance hardware wallet after all. Below Is a full list of coins currently supported.

 

 

SafePal vs Ledger Nano S: Conclusion

 

At the end of the day, these are the two most trusted entry level hardware wallets on the market today. They both have an entry point under $60 (which is very cheap considering the competition), and the SafePal is currently on sale for under $40.

On the one hand, the Ledger Nano S has a massive development team and “technically” supports over 1,000 coins, however, as I mentioned above, it really only allows you to hold 3-4 coins on the device at once. The coin selection is a very nice feature, especially if you want to expand and swap out your portfolio. However, even though the SafePal does not hold nearly as many coins (currently), it is VASTLY more secure.

Having no connection to USB, Bluetooth, or any other transmission method other than an encrypted QR code via a camera, is a very attractive selling point. Not to mention the fact that you don’t need a computer and a USB connection to use it, makes it more accessible for a much larger market.

Personally, it really just depends on your current situation. You need to ask yourself: “What coins do I need to store offline?” “Am I ok with having to use a computer to use this device?” “Do I want to hold more than 3 different coins at once on the device?”. If it were me, I would choose the SafePal. This by NO means the Ledger Nano S is a bad device, I just believe the fact that I can use the SafePal with a smartphone and also having no insecurities makes it a very compelling choice. The fact that it’s currently cheaper is just a bonus.

 

 

What do you think? Would you choose the SafePal over the Ledger Nano S? SafePal vs Ledger Nano S! Let us know down below in the comments!

 

Cheers,

 

The Crypto Renegade

 

NOTE: This post may contain affiliate links. This adds no cost to you but it helps me focus on giving as much value as possible in every single post by being compensated for recommending products that help people succeed.

CoinMama Review (2020) | The BEST Way To Buy Bitcoin With Credit Card?

In this CoinMama review we are going to do a deep dive into a CoinMama and find out if it’s the best way to buy bitcoin with credit card. Are the fees high? Is it safe? What credit cards can I use to buy bitcoin (and other cryptocurrencies)? We are going to answer all of these questions and more in this review, stay tuned for the whole review! One of the most searched phrases right now on the internet is “How to buy bitcoin with credit card”, and for good reason. It’s the easiest way to buy bitcoin without having to share a lot personal information and having to wait 3-7 business days when verifying your bank account.

I also urge you to check out a recent article I wrote that details a handful of different ways (CoinMama included) to easily buy bitcoin if you’re new to the process and you want a no-nonsense and easy way to do this. You can find that HERE. Now, let’s get down to finding out why CoinMama was the easiest way for me to buy bitcoin with a credit card, and why I still use it today!

 

How Does It Work?

 

 

It’s a simple 3-step process to use this site and it took me less than 10 minutes to make my first purchase when I first used this service over 2 years ago. If you’re looking to purchase not only Bitcoin, but also ETH, LTC, BCH, ETC, XRP, QTUM, and ADA in a hassle-free way, then CoinMama is the way to go. First, you register your account with basic information and gain access to the account where you can customize your purchase. Second, you can choose how much information you want to add, depending how much you want to buy in one shot.

Level 1 verification allows you up to $15,000 USD worth of BTC (or any other coin) with only a government issued ID (which is required for KYC) and as soon as you upload it, you can start buying in less than 10 minutes. The 3rd and final step is purchase the coin and amounts you want after you confirm your basic verification and it’s delivered in under 10 minutes. This process is very easy and MUCH quicker than any other exchange I’ve personally used. (Don’t even get me started on Coinbase).

 

 

 

How Much Does It Cost? What Are The Fees?

 

 

You can use a bank transfer (if you choose) and it will cost you less, but it will also take longer. However, the real “instant” purchase and service you’re looking for is for debit and credit cards. The fees are as follows:

Since there is no central bank controlling the bitcoin rate, each website has its own bitcoin rate. The price you see on our website is Coinmama’s bitcoin rate and includes our fee of 5.90%.

For credit/debit card transactions, the payment processor charges 5.00% additional fee. Unlike credit/debit card transactions, if you pay by bank wire there is 0.00% processing fee. The card processing fee will be added after choosing your method of payment. Apart from our fees, your bank may incur their own. If you’re not sure, contact them before placing your order.

Don’t let this turn you off, as some of the competitors that offer a similar service as CoinMama, they charge ridiculous fees and can take up to 10 days to verify and deliver your cryptocurrency. There is a price to pay for very quick delivery and most credit card companies build that fee into the cost here to mitigate some of the risks of fraud and other factors as well.

Trust me when I say, if you want to use a debit or credit card to buy bitcoin, this is your best best. Especially if you need it now.

 

 

 

What Countries Are Supported?

 

I won’t list all supported countries here as there are over 188 countries supported. Yes, that many. That is why this is one of the most trusted services in the entire industry and has a very broad reach. If you want to verify if your country is supported, you can check it out HERE. Additionally, The US has some restrictions on states, but 45 out of the 50 states are included for support. Those specific states (if you’re concerned) can be found at the link HERE.

Again, I will say, this has a much wider reach in terms of countries supported than the likes of Paxful or Coinbase. I’ve done the research so you don’t have to!

 

 

 

What’s Their Reputation? Is It Safe To Use?

 

As mentioned above, this company has been around since 2013 and has a very well received reputation and track record. I have never once had an issue with using this service, nor have I had any indication that it was fraudulent in any way. CoinMama has been selling bitcoin via debit and credit cards longer than any other service to date and was first to market in this regard. I have used them personally about 6 or 7 times and have never once thought of using another service for using a credit or debit card to purchase my cryptocurrency.

 

What’s The Verification Process? How Long Does It Take?

 

 

There are multiple levels of verification depending on how high of a limit you need to purchase every month, but the standard Level 1 verification only takes about 10 minutes and allows up to $15,000 USD (as mentioned above). This really applies to 99% of people and I will leave a link below if you want to understand what else is required if you want to purchase more than 15k per month. Once you’ve completed verification your bitcoin is delivered to your specified address instantly!

For further verification requirements, you can refer to this link HERE

 

 

.

CoinMama Review – Conclusion

 

Overall, if you need to get bitcoin fast and time is of the essence, then you can’t go wrong with CoinMama. Yes, if you have time to kill and you’re ok with waiting up to 10 business days and you want to provide your bank account, there are other solutions you can use, which I will link to in a future review update. But for most people that are skeptical of providing all their banking information just a save a few bucks, you won’t find better service or a better deal to buy bitcoin with a credit card than CoinMama.

There’s a reason myself and many others have used this service more than once and will continue to do so. In a world where new crypto companies are coming into existing, having a long standing track record really counts in this industry and I have no qualms about CoinMama. Yes, you can say I’m a fan, and if you decide to use this service, I am confident you will be too.

 

What do you think? Is there a better place to buy bitcoin with a credit card? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

 

Cheers,

 

The Crypto Renegade

 

 

NOTE: This post may contain affiliate links. This adds no cost to you but it helps me focus on giving as much value as possible in every single post by being compensated for recommending products that help people succeed.

 

 

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