¶ Coldcard Wallet
¶ Advanced Technologies
Introduction to Coldcard Wallet: A Deep, Human-Centered Beginning to a Journey in Advanced Bitcoin Security
There is something profoundly grounding about the idea of holding your own Bitcoin. In a world that increasingly relies on digital systems we barely see and rarely understand, self-custody stands out as one of the few ways individuals can feel truly empowered. But self-custody isn’t something to take lightly. It’s not about a shiny device, clever branding, or a quick setup. It’s about trust—trust in yourself, trust in the tools you choose, and trust in the practices you build around your digital wealth. Among the many tools created to support that journey, the Coldcard wallet has earned a level of respect that isn’t handed out casually. It is respected because it is unapologetically serious about security. It doesn’t bend to trends. It isn’t built for convenience first. It’s built for people who are committed to protecting what matters.
Before you start this long and carefully designed course of 100 articles, it’s worth understanding the mindset behind Coldcard, because that mindset will shape everything you learn here. Coldcard isn’t simply a hardware wallet—it’s a philosophy. It’s a statement that Bitcoin security should be rooted in transparency, verifiable engineering, offline processes, and user empowerment. It pushes you to think like an adversary, to question assumptions, to treat your private keys as something sacred rather than something casually protected by a password and a glossy app interface. This course aims to guide you through that philosophy from the ground up, not just by teaching you how to use a Coldcard, but by helping you understand why each detail exists, what each design choice means, and how each layer of protection plays a role in real-world security.
If you’ve ever held a Coldcard in your hand, you know immediately that it doesn’t feel like a conventional Bitcoin wallet. It doesn’t present itself as a friendly gadget. It feels more like a purpose-built instrument—something designed for a person who knows that security is not a luxury but a responsibility. Coldcard doesn’t try to hide its seriousness; in fact, it embraces it. The device has a physical presence that reminds you that your Bitcoin deserves a tool engineered with intention. And once you understand the reasoning behind its approach, the seriousness begins to feel reassuring rather than intimidating.
At its core, Coldcard is a fully air-gapped Bitcoin hardware wallet. That phrase alone tells you a lot. Air-gapping means you never have to connect the device to a computer, an online system, or anything that could expose it to network-based risks. Instead of pushing data through potentially compromised channels, Coldcard uses microSD cards, QR-based communication (in newer models), and offline processes. That design choice isn’t about convenience—it’s about eliminating entire categories of attack vectors. And yet, despite being engineered with this uncompromising security philosophy, Coldcard finds ways to remain elegant, practical, and surprisingly flexible.
Throughout this course, you’ll explore the heart of what makes Coldcard different. You’ll understand its secure elements, its verifiable firmware, its transparency-driven design, and the engineering ethos that rejects unnecessary abstraction. You’ll learn why open-source firmware matters, why deterministic builds count, and why being able to verify exactly what’s running on your wallet is something that should never be overlooked. Coldcard takes these principles seriously, because it’s built for people who want more than marketing promises—they want clarity, truth, and control.
One of the first things you’ll appreciate is how deeply intertwined Bitcoin philosophy is with Coldcard’s design. Bitcoin has always been about removing intermediaries, reducing trust, and enabling personal sovereignty. But sovereignty comes with a cost: responsibility. Coldcard doesn’t try to cushion that responsibility—it respects it. Instead of hiding the technical aspects of Bitcoin security behind interfaces, it brings the fundamentals forward. You’ll see how seeds are generated, how private keys are stored, how backups work, how multisig setups add layers of resilience, and how each step can be verified by you, not by a cloud service or a closed-source application. There’s a certain empowerment in that level of clarity. It reminds you that in Bitcoin, you aren’t just a user—you’re the final authority.
But this course will not just be about the device itself. Coldcard is a doorway into a broader understanding of Bitcoin security culture. Many people enter the world of crypto believing the most important thing is having a wallet that is easy to use. And in many cases, ease is appealing. But when you begin to understand how Bitcoin works, when you recognize the irreversible nature of transactions, when you realize that one mistake can mean permanent loss, ease becomes secondary to security. Coldcard introduces you to that deeper mindset. It encourages you to think in terms of attack surfaces, physical security, operational hygiene, seed storage, backups, supply chain integrity, and long-term protection.
You will learn why Coldcard is often recommended by Bitcoin veterans, cybersecurity professionals, privacy advocates, and long-term hodlers. You’ll see how each feature—whether it’s the anti-phishing words, PIN protections, duress systems, brick-me modes, multisig compatibility, PSBT workflows, or the famed “Coldcard personality”—serves a specific purpose grounded in real-world adversarial thinking. Nothing exists without reason. And as you progress through this course, you’ll start noticing how each of these pieces connects to form a thoughtful, layered approach to defense.
Coldcard also has a certain simplicity at its core, even though it is a serious device. It doesn’t bombard you with distractions. It doesn’t try to be a full ecosystem or a lifestyle product. It focuses on one thing—protecting your Bitcoin—and it does that with rigor. There is something refreshing about that purity of purpose. In a world of feature-stuffed devices, Coldcard is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful tools are the ones that stay true to a single mission.
As you continue through this journey, the course will help you understand Coldcard’s practical uses as well. While security is its foundation, functionality matters too. You’ll explore how to create wallets, how to manage backups, how to use multisig setups with other wallets, how to sign transactions offline, how to verify firmware, how to use NFC features in newer models, how to leverage advanced settings, and how to integrate Coldcard into larger Bitcoin custody frameworks. Whether you are an individual looking to safeguard long-term savings, a business developing institutional-grade security practices, or a researcher studying hardware wallet architectures, Coldcard offers a learning experience rich enough to support all of these paths.
This course is not written for people seeking shortcuts. It’s for those who want mastery, understanding, and confidence. It’s for people who know that true security requires patience, learning, and intention. By the time you complete these 100 articles, you will not only understand Coldcard—you will understand the broader landscape of Bitcoin self-custody, threat models, supply chain risks, human error patterns, and long-term storage strategies. You will develop instincts that help you navigate Bitcoin security with clarity rather than confusion.
The article series will also give you a sense of how Coldcard fits into the wider world of advanced technologies. Bitcoin security overlaps with physical security, cryptography, hardware engineering, embedded systems, firmware development, and operational security. Coldcard sits at the intersection of all these disciplines, making it an ideal case study for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of how digital and physical worlds intersect in modern cryptographic tools.
More than anything, this introduction is meant to set the tone for a journey rooted in respect—for the technology, for the risks, and for your own pursuit of knowledge. Coldcard doesn’t ask you to trust it blindly. Instead, it gives you the tools and transparency to verify everything for yourself. That spirit of verification will appear throughout this course, showing you how to examine your tools, challenge assumptions, and think about Bitcoin security in a way that stays relevant not just today but for the decades to come.
Bitcoin isn’t just another asset. For many people, it represents freedom, independence, and long-term belief in a world where individuals can control their own financial destiny. Protecting your Bitcoin is, in many ways, protecting your future. And Coldcard stands as one of the most respected tools built for that purpose. This course will give you a deep understanding of that tool—not just how it works, but why it works the way it does and how you can use it as part of a smarter, more intentional approach to self-custody.
By the time you finish reading this introduction, you should feel both grounded and curious. Grounded, because Coldcard takes Bitcoin security back to first principles. Curious, because the device opens up an entire world of thoughtful engineering and real-world operational wisdom. This course will help you navigate that world with clarity, patience, and a growing sense of mastery.
As you move forward, take it slowly. Let each concept settle. Explore the device not as a gadget but as a companion in your Bitcoin journey. The chapters ahead will guide you through the fundamentals, the intricacies, the advanced techniques, and the nuanced thinking required to use Coldcard with confidence and purpose. You're stepping into a realm where decisions matter, where details are meaningful, and where understanding leads to empowerment.
This is the beginning of a long and rewarding journey into one of the most respected hardware wallets ever created. By the end of it, you’ll not only know how to use a Coldcard—you’ll understand what it means to take Bitcoin security into your own hands.
Let’s begin.
¶ Coldcard Wallet
¶ Beginner Level (Chapters 1-30)
1. Introduction to Coldcard Wallet: What Is It?
2. Why Choose a Coldcard Wallet for Bitcoin Storage?
3. Unboxing Your Coldcard: What’s in the Box?
4. Understanding the Coldcard Interface: Buttons and Display
5. Powering Up Your Coldcard for the First Time
6. Setting Up a New Wallet: Step-by-Step Guide
7. Creating Your First Bitcoin Wallet on Coldcard
8. Understanding Seed Phrases: The Key to Your Bitcoin
9. Writing Down Your Seed Phrase: Best Practices
10. Verifying Your Seed Phrase: Why It’s Crucial
11. Setting a PIN: Protecting Your Coldcard Wallet
12. Understanding the Importance of a Strong PIN
13. Navigating the Coldcard Menu System
14. Adding a Passphrase for Extra Security
15. Understanding the Difference Between PIN and Passphrase
16. Backing Up Your Wallet: MicroSD Card Setup
17. Exporting Your Wallet Backup to a MicroSD Card
18. Importing a Wallet Backup to Coldcard
19. Sending Bitcoin from Your Coldcard Wallet
20. Receiving Bitcoin to Your Coldcard Wallet
21. Understanding Bitcoin Addresses on Coldcard
22. Generating a New Receiving Address
23. Verifying Transactions on the Coldcard Display
24. Using Coldcard with a Mobile Wallet: Setup Guide
25. Connecting Coldcard to Sparrow Wallet
26. Connecting Coldcard to Electrum Wallet
27. Understanding the Coldcard’s Air-Gapped Security
28. What Does “Air-Gapped” Mean for Your Wallet?
29. Coldcard vs. Other Hardware Wallets: A Comparison
30. Troubleshooting Common Beginner Issues
¶ Intermediate Level (Chapters 31-60)
31. Advanced Seed Phrase Management: Multiple Wallets
32. Using Multiple Passphrases for Hidden Wallets
33. Understanding BIP39 and BIP44 Standards
34. How Coldcard Implements BIP39 and BIP44
35. Setting Up a Multisig Wallet with Coldcard
36. Understanding Multisig: Why It’s More Secure
37. Using Coldcard with Specter Desktop for Multisig
38. Exporting Multisig Configurations to MicroSD
39. Importing Multisig Configurations to Coldcard
40. Understanding Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions (PSBTs)
41. Creating and Signing PSBTs on Coldcard
42. Broadcasting PSBTs Using Sparrow or Electrum
43. Using Coldcard with Wasabi Wallet
44. Understanding CoinJoin and Coldcard Integration
45. Setting Up a Watch-Only Wallet with Coldcard
46. Exporting XPUBs for Watch-Only Wallets
47. Importing XPUBs into Sparrow or Electrum
48. Understanding the Coldcard’s Secure Element
49. How the Secure Element Protects Your Private Keys
50. Updating Coldcard Firmware: Step-by-Step Guide
51. Verifying Firmware Updates for Security
52. Using Coldcard with Tails OS for Enhanced Privacy
53. Setting Up Coldcard on a Raspberry Pi
54. Understanding Coldcard’s Anti-Phishing Features
55. Using Coldcard’s Duress Wallet Feature
56. Setting Up a Duress PIN and Wallet
57. Understanding Coldcard’s Brick-Me Mode
58. How to Use Brick-Me Mode in Emergencies
59. Exporting Transaction History to CSV
60. Analyzing Transaction History with Sparrow Wallet
¶ Advanced Level (Chapters 61-90)
61. Understanding Coldcard’s Open-Source Firmware
62. Reviewing Coldcard’s GitHub Repository
63. Compiling Coldcard Firmware from Source
64. Understanding Coldcard’s Hardware Design
65. Exploring Coldcard’s Secure Bootloader
66. How Coldcard Protects Against Physical Attacks
67. Understanding Side-Channel Attacks and Coldcard
68. Using Coldcard with Whirlpool for CoinJoin
69. Setting Up a Whirlpool Wallet with Coldcard
70. Understanding UTXO Management with Coldcard
71. Using Coin Control Features in Sparrow Wallet
72. Setting Up a Custom Derivation Path on Coldcard
73. Understanding Derivation Paths in Bitcoin Wallets
74. Using Coldcard with Bitcoin Core
75. Setting Up a Full Node with Coldcard Integration
76. Understanding the Role of a Full Node in Security
77. Using Coldcard with JoinMarket for Advanced Privacy
78. Setting Up JoinMarket with Coldcard
79. Understanding Coldcard’s Anti-Exfil Features
80. Using Anti-Exfil to Prevent Key Extraction
81. Understanding Coldcard’s Seed XOR Feature
82. Splitting Your Seed with Seed XOR
83. Recovering Your Seed with Seed XOR
84. Using Coldcard with Glacier Protocol for Cold Storage
85. Setting Up a Glacier-Compatible Wallet
86. Understanding Coldcard’s NFC Capabilities
87. Using NFC for Secure Data Transfer
88. Understanding Coldcard’s Tamper-Evident Features
89. Detecting Tampering with Your Coldcard
90. Using Coldcard in High-Security Environments
¶ Expert Level (Chapters 91-100)
91. Writing Custom Scripts for Coldcard
92. Understanding Coldcard’s Python API
93. Automating Coldcard Operations with Scripts
94. Exploring Coldcard’s Advanced Debugging Tools
95. Understanding Coldcard’s Power Analysis Resistance
96. Testing Coldcard’s Security Features
97. Contributing to Coldcard’s Open-Source Development
98. Understanding Coldcard’s Future Roadmap
99. Exploring Coldcard’s Integration with Lightning Network
100. Mastering Coldcard: Becoming a Bitcoin Security Expert