Inheritance is an important part of self-custody. With Arculus, your recovery phrase is all you need to pass on your crypto assets safely to someone you trust. Secure storage today means peace of mind for tomorrow.
#bitcoin #blockchain #selfcustody #coldstorage #HardwareWallet #CryptoSecurity #SmartCard #DigitalSecurity
Arculus
Metal NFC cold-storage card from CompoSecure supporting 10,000+ assets across 27 blockchains
3.8/ 5
Our score
Good
Secure element
Yes
Connectivity
NFC
Supported assets
10,000
Bitcoin-only
No
What is Arculus?
Arculus is a cold-storage hardware wallet built around a premium metal card and a mobile app. The card stores the secure element that protects private keys, while access requires the card, a private PIN and biometric authentication. CompoSecure makes the product, which uses NFC rather than cables, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Company and product
Arculus is a product line from CompoSecure. Dr. Adam Lowe is Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Arculus and CompoSecure. He presented the Arculus Secure Authentication Solution at FinovateEurope in London in February 2023. The wider product line also includes business self-custody technology, white-label versions and SDK integrations.
How the wallet works
The Arculus Card communicates with the Arculus Wallet App through a tap-to-transact NFC connection. The physical card works with a PIN and biometric authentication to unlock access to digital assets. The card has no battery and does not need charging. Recovery uses a 12- or 24-word phrase, which can be used to move assets to another compatible wallet.
Arculus states that it supports more than 10,000 coins and tokens across 27 blockchains, representing more than 95% of crypto assets by market capitalization. The app also connects with MetaMask and WalletConnect for DeFi and other Web3 applications. Support for a specific token depends on the relevant blockchain and app integration.
Fees and access
Arculus charges no fee for sending or receiving cryptocurrency. Buy, sell and swap transactions use liquidity partners including OnRamper, Transak and Changelly, which charge their own fees. The wallet uses a mobile app alongside the physical card, so setup and daily access depend on a compatible phone.
Track record and limitations
Arculus says the product is made in the USA. Its security model reduces exposure of private keys to an internet-connected device, but self-custody shifts recovery responsibility to the owner. Losing the recovery phrase can prevent access, while losing the card requires the phrase and a replacement wallet for recovery.
The card cannot be used alone because the app, PIN and biometric check are part of the access process. Users also depend on the app for supported assets, integrations and ongoing device compatibility. The product's three-factor design adds physical protection, but it does not remove the risks of phishing, phone compromise or social engineering.
Best for:Long-term self-custodyPhone-based cold storageMulti-chain asset holdersNFC wallet users
Pros and cons
Pros
- Three-factor access combines a card, PIN and biometric check
- NFC design needs no cable or battery and does not require charging
- Supports 10,000+ assets across 27 blockchains
- No Arculus fee for sending or receiving crypto
- Recovery phrase supports migration to another compatible wallet
Cons
- Daily access depends on the Arculus mobile app
- Losing the recovery phrase can prevent recovery if the card is also unavailable
- Buy, sell and swap fees come from liquidity partners
- MetaMask and WalletConnect access depends on supported integrations
Our review
3.8/5
Good
Arculus combines NFC card storage with three-factor access, but its mobile dependence and lack of a built-in screen may not suit users who want a standalone signing device.
Arculus is a metal card cold wallet from CompoSecure. Its main security model requires the card, a private PIN and biometric authentication together. The card stores the secure element, while the Arculus App handles access and transactions.
NFC is the only stated connection method. The card uses tap-to-transact communication without USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cables or a battery. The card does not need charging, but it also ties signing to a compatible smartphone and mobile app. Unlike wallets with a built-in screen, the card does not provide an independent display for checking transaction details.
Asset coverage is broad on paper. Arculus states that it supports more than 10,000 coins and tokens across 27 blockchains, representing more than 95% of crypto assets by market capitalization. The app also connects to MetaMask and WalletConnect for DeFi and other Web3 applications.
Recovery uses a 12- or 24-word phrase, and the company says the phrase can move assets to another wallet or pass them to a trusted person. The product is therefore not locked to the card.
CompoSecure is the company behind Arculus, and Dr. Adam Lowe is its Chief Product and Innovation Officer. Lowe presented the Arculus Secure Authentication Solution at FinovateEurope in 2023. Arculus also offers business self-custody technology, white-label products and SDK integrations. Those commercial products provide additional company context, while the consumer wallet uses the Arculus Card and mobile app.
Sources (1)
Specs
| Connectivity | NFC · unverified |
|---|---|
| Secure element | Yes · unverified |
| Display | No screen · unverified |
| Bitcoin-only | No · unverified |
| Supported assets | 10,000 · unverified |
| Battery | No · unverified |
| Companion app | Arculus App · unverified |
| Touchscreen | No · unverified |
| Backup options | Recovery phrase · unverified |
| NFC | Yes · unverified |
Not disclosed by the provider: KYC required, Price from, Firmware, Air-gapped signing, BIP39 passphrase, Multisig support.
Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.
Key features
Three-factor access
Unlocking requires biometrics, a private PIN and the Arculus Card together.
NFC transactions
The card taps to the mobile app through NFC, without USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or charging.
Multi-chain support
Arculus supports more than 10,000 coins and tokens across 27 blockchains.
Mobile companion app
The Arculus App manages the card and supports access across compatible mobile devices.
DeFi connections
MetaMask and WalletConnect integrations connect the wallet to DeFi and other Web3 applications.
Recovery phrase
A 12- or 24-word recovery phrase can restore access through another compatible wallet.
No transfer fee
Arculus charges no fee for sending or receiving cryptocurrency; liquidity partners charge for buy, sell and swap transactions.
Inside Arculus
Arculus App
The mobile app brings together the Arculus Card, private PIN and biometric authentication. It lets users manage supported digital assets and connect to MetaMask or WalletConnect for DeFi and Web3 applications.
Arculus Card
The metal card stores the secure element that protects private keys. It communicates with the app through tap-to-transact NFC without Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB or a battery.
Arculus Self-Custody
Arculus Self-Custody is the business product for protecting and managing digital assets with three-factor authentication. It includes white-label versions and SDK integrations for business partners.
What users say about Arculus
The material contains promotional or informational posts from one author, plus unrelated or promotional mentions. No specific good or bad theme is raised by at least two different authors.
Based on 9 Reddit posts and comments from the last 12 months, checked Oct 18, 2026. These are posts by users on other sites, not reviews submitted on CryptoReview.
User reviews
No user reviews yet. Have you used Arculus? Share your experience below.
FAQ
Who runs Arculus?
Arculus is a product line from CompoSecure. Dr. Adam Lowe is Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Arculus and CompoSecure, and presented the Arculus Secure Authentication Solution at FinovateEurope in 2023.
What fees does Arculus charge?
Arculus charges no fee for sending or receiving cryptocurrency. Buy, Sell and Swap transactions have fees charged by liquidity partners OnRamper, Transak and Changelly.
How safe is the Arculus wallet?
Arculus uses a secure element in the card and three-factor access: biometrics, a private PIN and the card. The card communicates with the app through NFC without Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or USB.
How many coins and blockchains does Arculus support?
Arculus states that it supports more than 10,000 coins and tokens across 27 blockchains, covering more than 95% of crypto assets by market capitalization.
How does Arculus recover a wallet?
Recovery uses a 12- or 24-word recovery phrase. The phrase can restore assets in another compatible wallet, so access is not tied permanently to one Arculus card.
Does Arculus have a screen or battery?
Arculus is a metal card with no battery, cables or built-in screen. Transactions use tap-to-transact NFC through the Arculus mobile app.
Latest from Arculus on X
"A password is a shared secret" - Adam Lowe, Chief Product & Innovation Officer, Arculus https://t.co/IwudeF6WFF
What DZ from Hit Network does with his crypto... can you guess? https://t.co/ugsyJGduXF
Our thoughts on Consensus, ft Adam Lowe (Chief Product & Innovation Office, Arculus) and @RUMSHQ! https://t.co/aBlZMPSijW
We have your back.
#Bitcoin #selfcustody #coldstorage #CryptoSecurity #Arculus #crypto https://t.co/cnN7KSIasx
#Bitcoin #selfcustody #coldstorage #CryptoSecurity #Arculus #crypto https://t.co/cnN7KSIasx
Recent public posts from @thisisarculus, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.
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