CRYPTOTAG : seed recovery phrase backup device

Storing seed recovery phrases is a major concern for most of crypto users.

There are many ways to keep them in a safe place (piece of paper, encrypted USB key, metal engraving …).

The device we are talking about uses the metal engraving principle. With CRYPTOTAG, you will be able to engrave your seed in pure titanium.

Why did they choose titanium?

Titanium is one of the strongest metals in the world. It is extremely resistant to corrosion and its tensile strenght stands around 63,000 psi.

Melting point is around 1,650 °C or 3,000 °F.

Also, it has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratio out of all known metals.

For these reasons, founders decided to use it for their backup system, instead of steel or alloy.

First impressions

The packaging looks premium. You will receive a large black cardboard box including absolutely everything you need to engrave your device.

The kit includes:

• a hammer
• a alphabet stamping set
• a anvil
• a bit holder
• earplugs
• a box of matches
• 2 titanium plates (capacity: 48 words)

Warning: It is important to notice that this kit is made for recovery phrases so you won’t be able to engrave numbers and thus a private key.

Materials and tools look pretty solid. And overall level of finishings is quite good.

The engraving process

CRYPTOTAG made a tutorial video to help you going through the engraving process which is child’s play.

All you will have to do is putting the titanium plate inside the anvil, positioning the bit holder at the right level inside the dedicated location and then stricking 1 or 2 hits with the hammer.

The whole process takes 20–30 minutes (per plate).

With Both plates, you will be able to engrave 48 words (2x Ledger, 2x Trezor, 4x KeepKey).

Once it is done, you can find a location to hide your backup device.

In a house fire, maximal heat can reach 1500°c which is not enough to melt the plates. So you can be sure your recovery seeds will be secured for the most extreme conditions.

Conclusions

CRYPTOTAG device is the only backup system i’ve tried so far so i wouldn’t be able to compare it to its direct competitors.

However, engraved titanium system is the easiest and most secured one in my opinion. There is no risk of losing letters or seeing your plate melt by fire. And once your seed is engraved, it is forever.

About the price. The kit is sold for 159€ in Europe or $200 in the USA (from Bitcoinmerch) which set it at the same price as Cryptosteel device. It can be considered expensive compared to cheaper alternatives especially if you don’t hold a big amount of crypto but it’s pretty well built and a nice collectible piece for crypto geeks.

Disclaimer : this article is not a partnership. I wanted to test and review a backup device and the team decided to customize it for me. More reviews of products will come in the future.