Tangem: The Company and Its Hardware Wallets Explained
Tangem is a Swiss company founded in 2017 in Zug, which designs 100% NFC hardware wallets — without battery, cable, or traditional seed phrase — in the form of a card (Tangem Wallet) or a ring (Tangem Ring). Its secure EAL6+ chip, designed by Samsung Semiconductor and audited by Kudelski Security and Riscure, makes it one of the most accessible hardware wallets on the market for beginners.
In the world of hardware wallets, one name is increasingly mentioned alongside historical players: Tangem. With its radically different approach — a smart card or a ring, without battery, cable, and no seed phrase to remember — the Swiss company has carved out a solid place for itself in the cryptocurrency security market.
Tangem, a Swiss company born in Crypto Valley
Tangem was founded in 2017 in Zug, Switzerland, a region dubbed "Crypto Valley" due to its high concentration of blockchain-specialized companies, attracted by local regulations favorable to innovation. The company is led by its co-founders, Andrey Kurennykh (CEO) and Andrey Lazutkin (CTO), who are still at the helm today.
The founders' initial observation was simple: traditional hardware wallets, with their buttons, screen, and seed phrase to write down, remained intimidating for the general public. Tangem therefore took the opposite approach: designing a crypto wallet as simple to use as a bank card, without sacrificing security.
Since its creation, the company has raised several rounds of funding, notably from SBI Digital Asset Holdings (the crypto arm of Japanese financial group SBI) and Shima Capital, sold more than 2.5 million cards in over 170 countries, formed technological partnerships with players like Samsung Semiconductor (manufacturer of the secure chip) and crypto ecosystem players like Cardano or Stellar, and had its firmware and architecture audited by recognized independent security laboratories, Kudelski Security and Riscure.
How does a Tangem hardware wallet work?
Tangem's peculiarity lies in a 100% air-gapped approach via NFC: no Bluetooth, no USB, no Wi-Fi. The card or ring only communicates, by simple contact, with the Tangem application installed on a compatible smartphone.
Concretely, private keys are generated directly on the secure chip during activation, and never leave it. No internet connection is needed to sign a transaction: simply bring the card or ring close to the phone, and activation generally takes less than 3 minutes. The wallet is entirely non-custodial: neither Tangem, nor any third party, can access, freeze, or restrict your assets.
A different approach to the classic seed phrase
This is undoubtedly Tangem's most distinctive feature: unlike traditional hardware wallets that rely on a 12 or 24-word seed phrase to be carefully written down and kept, Tangem offers a backup system by key duplication between several cards (generally 2 or 3, depending on the chosen pack).
In short, each card in the set contains a secure copy of the same private key: if one is lost or damaged, the others allow continued access to your funds. A classic recovery phrase is nevertheless available as an option for advanced users who prefer this traditional backup method.
Security at the heart of the product
Each Tangem product incorporates a secure chip designed by Samsung Semiconductor, certified EAL6+ according to the international Common Criteria standard, one of the highest cybersecurity standards accessible to the general public — comparable to the technology used in bank cards and biometric passports.
Other notable security features include: firmware and architecture audited by independent laboratories (Kudelski Security, Riscure), with no identified backdoor or vulnerability to date, water and shock resistance (IP69K certification on some models), as well as a complete absence of vulnerable wired or wireless connections — no Bluetooth, no USB.
The Tangem product range
Tangem Wallet (cards)
The brand's historic product: a card in bank card format (85.6 × 54 mm, approximately 1 mm thick), sold in sets of 2 or 3 cards to allow backup by duplication. Without battery, screen, or buttons, it is used by simply bringing the card close to the smartphone via NFC. It provides access to thousands of cryptocurrencies and tokens, as well as DeFi, NFTs, and staking via the Tangem application, and comes in several colors and designs.
Tangem Ring
The brand's latest innovation: a hardware wallet in ring format, made of hypoallergenic zirconia ceramic, scratch-resistant, water-resistant, and resistant to extreme temperatures. It offers the same security as the card — same EAL6+ chip — in an even more discreet format worn permanently, never leaving your finger. It's impossible to guess that it's a hardware wallet, making it an ideal choice for mobile use and instant access to your cryptos.
Advantages and limitations of Tangem
Key strengths include: unparalleled ease of use, even for beginners, no need to manage a classic seed phrase daily, an EAL6+ chip audited by recognized independent laboratories, a compact design, no battery or maintenance, and an accessible entry price compared to other premium hardware wallets.
Two points of caution to be aware of: the code is only partially open source (some parts of the SDK are published, but not the entire firmware), and the device requires an NFC-compatible smartphone to function, unlike models with a standalone screen.
Compared technical specifications
| Feature | Tangem Wallet (card) | Tangem Ring |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Tangem (Switzerland, founded in 2017) | |
| Format | Bank card, 85.6 × 54 mm | Zirconia ceramic ring |
| Security | EAL6+ chip (Samsung Semiconductor) | EAL6+ chip (Samsung Semiconductor) |
| Connection | NFC | NFC |
| Backup | Set of 2 or 3 cards | Ring + 2 backup cards included |
| Resistance | Waterproof, shock-resistant | IP69K, scratch and heat resistant |
| Warranty | — | 25 years |
| Ideal for | Beginners, classic use | Mobile use, maximum discretion |
| Available at Neowalt | Yes | Yes |
To compare Tangem with other models in our selection, consult our comparisons Tangem vs Keystone, Tangem vs CoolWallet, and Tangem Ring vs Ledger Nano, or directly try our hardware wallet comparator.
Tangem hardware wallets — both card and ring — are part of the product selection available at Neowalt, an official French distributor of hardware wallets. Each model is sourced directly from the manufacturer, with an authenticity guarantee, confidential delivery to a locker within 24 hours, and French-speaking customer support.
FAQ: Tangem, the company and its products
Who founded Tangem?
Tangem was founded in 2017 in Zug, Switzerland, by Andrey Kurennykh (CEO) and Andrey Lazutkin (CTO), who are still at the head of the company today.
Does Tangem require a seed phrase?
No, not by default. Tangem relies on a key duplication backup system between several cards. However, a classic seed phrase remains available as an option for users who wish it.
What is the difference between the Tangem Wallet and the Tangem Ring?
Both products are based on the same technology and the same level of security (EAL6+ chip). The Tangem Wallet comes in card form, while the Tangem Ring adopts a ring format, worn permanently on the finger.
Is Tangem a custodial wallet?
No, Tangem is entirely non-custodial: private keys are generated and stored only on the device, and no third party, including Tangem, has access to them.
In summary
Behind the Tangem Wallet and Tangem Ring is a Swiss company founded in 2017, driven by a simple conviction: securing one's cryptocurrencies should not require being a technical expert. Thanks to its NFC technology, its EAL6+ certified chip, and its approach without a classic seed phrase, Tangem offers an accessible and seriously audited alternative to traditional hardware wallets.
Discover the Tangem range at Neowalt
Official French distributor, authenticity guaranteed, and use our comparator to check if this model suits your profile.
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