ELLIPAL vs Tangem: QR signing or NFC cards
ELLIPAL Titan 2.0 and Tangem are self-custody hardware wallets, but they use different signing designs. ELLIPAL keeps the wallet air-gapped: its mobile app exchanges unsigned and signed transactions through QR codes, while the Titan 2.0 has a four-inch touchscreen and no USB or Bluetooth connection. Tangem uses NFC cards or a ring. The card has no battery, cable or screen, and signing requires a tap to a phone.
Tangem supports 14,100+ assets across 90+ blockchains, compared with more than 10,000 cryptocurrencies on ELLIPAL. Backup also differs. Tangem offers two-card or three-card linked backups with an optional recovery phrase, while ELLIPAL includes two seed phrase recovery sheets. ELLIPAL costs $169 and has a CC EAL5+ secure element; Tangem uses a Samsung S3D350A EAL6+ secure element.
Quick verdict
The deciding difference is transaction visibility. ELLIPAL shows transaction details on its four-inch touchscreen before QR signing, while Tangem has no screen and relies on the mobile app during NFC signing. ELLIPAL also uses closed-source firmware and MicroSD updates. Tangem's firmware is factory-installed and cannot be updated, while its wallet design supports seedless card backups.
Choose ELLIPAL if air-gapped QR signing, on-device transaction review, a sealed metal body and intrusion wiping matter more than app-only operation. Its Titan 2.0 costs $169, supports more than 10,000 cryptocurrencies, and includes seed phrase recovery sheets. The self-custody model keeps signing separate from the phone.
Choose Tangem if a battery-free NFC card, linked physical backups and a wider stated asset range matter more than having a screen. Tangem supports 14,100+ assets across 90+ blockchains, optional recovery phrases, WalletConnect, staking, DeFi access and NFT management. Both products are self-custody wallets with secure elements, but Tangem has the higher stated EAL rating at EAL6+.
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Our score | 4.1/5 | 4.3/5 |
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Security | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Build & design | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Ease of use | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| Coin support | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Value for money | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Specs | ||
| Price from | $169 | Not disclosed |
| Connectivity | QR code (air-gapped), microSD | NFC |
| Secure element | Yes | Yes |
| Firmware | Closed source | Partially open source |
| Display | Touchscreen | No screen |
| Air-gapped signing | Yes | No |
| Bitcoin-only | No | No |
| Supported assets | 10,000 | 14,100 |
| Battery | Yes | No |
| BIP39 passphrase | Not disclosed | Yes |
| Companion app | ELLIPAL mobile app for iOS and Android | Tangem app |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
| Backup options | Seed phrase recovery sheets, MicroSD card | Two-card backup, Three-card backup, Optional recovery phrase |
| NFC | Not disclosed | Yes |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2018 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | — | Switzerland |
| Investors | Not disclosed | Shima Capital, SBI Digital Asset Holdings |
| Strengths and weaknesses | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Best for | Long-term self-custody, QR-based transaction signing, Touchscreen wallet users | Long-term self-custody, Seedless wallet backups, NFC phone users |
Highlighted cells show the stronger value in each row. Data comes from each provider's site and public sources; check details before you sign up.
FAQ
Does ELLIPAL or Tangem have a screen?
ELLIPAL has a four-inch IPS touchscreen, while Tangem has no screen. Titan 2.0 displays transaction details on the device; Tangem uses its mobile app for transaction handling.
Which supports more assets, ELLIPAL or Tangem?
Tangem supports 14,100+ assets across 90+ blockchains, while ELLIPAL supports more than 10,000 cryptocurrencies. Tangem covers networks including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and XRP Ledger.
Are ELLIPAL and Tangem custodial wallets?
Both are self-custody hardware wallets. ELLIPAL stores signing material in Titan 2.0, while Tangem generates the private key inside its secure element and offers linked card backups.
How do ELLIPAL and Tangem sign transactions?
ELLIPAL signs through QR-code exchanges with no USB or Bluetooth connection. Tangem signs through NFC when the card is tapped to a phone.
Which has the higher secure-element rating?
Tangem uses a Samsung S3D350A EAL6+ secure element, while ELLIPAL Titan 2.0 uses a CC EAL5+ secure element. ELLIPAL adds intrusion detection that wipes stored data if the sealed body is opened.