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 classic 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 appearing alongside historical players: Tangem. With its radically different approach — a smart card or a ring, without a battery, without a cable, and without a 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 nicknamed "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, screens, and seed phrases 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 funding rounds, notably from SBI Digital Asset Holdings (the crypto arm of the Japanese financial group SBI) and Shima Capital, sold over 2.5 million cards in more than 170 countries, forged 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 uniqueness lies in its 100% air-gapped approach via NFC: no Bluetooth, no USB, no Wi-Fi. The card or ring communicates only by simple contact with the Tangem application installed on a compatible smartphone.
Specifically, 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 typically 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 seed phrase of 12 or 24 words to write down and carefully keep, Tangem offers a backup system by duplicating the key between several cards (usually 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 also optionally available for advanced users who prefer this traditional backup method.
Security at the heart of the product
Every Tangem product incorporates a secure chip designed by Samsung Semiconductor, EAL6+ certified 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 backdoors or vulnerabilities identified to date, water and shock resistance (IP69K certification on some models), and a total absence of vulnerable wired or wireless connections — no Bluetooth, no USB.
Tangem product range
Tangem Wallet (cards)
The brand's historic product: a credit card-sized card (85.6 × 54 mm, about 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 holding the card near a smartphone via NFC. It provides access to thousands of cryptocurrencies and tokens, as well as DeFi, NFTs, and staking via the Tangem app, and is available in several colors and designs.
Tangem Ring
The brand's latest innovation: a hardware wallet in a ring format, made of hypoallergenic zirconia ceramic, scratch-resistant, waterproof, and resistant to extreme temperatures. It offers the same security as the card — the same EAL6+ chip — in an even more discreet format that can be worn permanently, without ever 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.
Tangem's advantages and limitations
Among its strengths: unparalleled ease of use, even for beginners, the absence of a classic seed phrase to manage daily, an EAL6+ chip audited by recognized independent laboratories, a compact design, without 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.
Comparative technical specifications
| Feature | Tangem Wallet (card) | Tangem Ring |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Tangem (Switzerland, founded in 2017) | |
| Format | Credit 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, check out our comparison Tangem vs Keystone 3 Pro, our complete comparison of the best hardware wallets 2026, discover our presentation of SafePal, or directly test our hardware wallet comparator.
Tangem hardware wallets — both card and ring — are part of the product selection available at Neowalt, official French distributor of hardware wallets. Each model is sourced directly from the manufacturer, with authenticity guarantee, confidential 24-hour locker delivery, 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 helm of the company today.
Does Tangem require a seed phrase?
No, not by default. Tangem relies on a backup system by duplicating the key between several cards. A classic seed phrase is still optionally available for users who wish.
What is the difference between the Tangem Wallet and the Tangem Ring?
Both products rely on the same technology and level of security (EAL6+ chip). The Tangem Wallet comes in card format, 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 belief: securing your cryptocurrencies shouldn't require you to be 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
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