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TapSigner: The Bitcoin wallet that fits in your pocket

Tasigner Wallet Reviews and Tutorial
March 6, 2024

When you own bitcoin, you know (or should know) that security is paramount. The more bitcoin you accumulate, the more you need to strengthen your security measures. Of course, there are several ways to protect your bitcoins and you can choose a hardware wallet for example which are considered to be the most secure on the market.

And, this is where it can get complicated. In fact, there are so many devices available today that we are spoiled for choice. Today we wanted to present you with a complete review of the card TapSigner which can appeal to those looking for secure, simple but also affordable solutions.

In this article, we offer you a description of what Tasigner is, presenting its advantages and disadvantages. You will then be able to know whether this type of wallet suits you or not.

What is Tasigner?

Tasigner is a physical/hardware Bitcoin wallet that is generally referred to in English as a “hardware wallet”. Tasigner comes in the form of an NFC card which looks like a bank card (it's not one!).

the bitcoin tapsigner card

The operation of Tasigner is very simple, even for a novice. Simply connect your card to your smartphone or your computer if you have an NFC reader. You will then just have to enter your PIN code to be able to check your balance and also make transactions.

The great advantage of TapSigner is that it is an easy-to-carry wallet as it can be stored in a classic “wallet”. From a security point of view, it can also act as a multi-signature wallet which drastically enhances the security of your funds.

Tasigner is designed by the Canadian company CoinKite which gained its reputation with products like Opendime or the wallet cold card.

How does Tasigner work in practice?

To be able to use the NFC card, you need a device that is compatible with reading this technology. It is then possible to use a software wallet like Nunchuck or Sparrow to access and manage transactions. What you need to understand is that the card Sign is not used to carry out transactions but to sign them via NFC.

coinkite boutique

The Tasigner card contains an encrypted private key, which essentially represents your Bitcoin wallet (or part of it if you chose the option Multi-sig).

NFC technology allows devices to communicate at a distance of approximately 4 cm. The closer the card is to the device, the better, naturally. It is thanks to the NFC chip that it is then possible to sign transactions.

What do you get when ordering a Tasigner:

When you order a Tasigner card, you will have:

  • The Tasigner card of course.
  • An RF blocking case that helps protect against possible NFC hacks. It is crucial to keep your case as it serves as protection against unauthorized access by unintended RF readers.

The specifics of the card:

  • Card size: ID-1: 85,6 × 53,98 mm
  • Temperature Limits: -15℃~50℃
  • There are no magnetic or gravitational constraints.
  • The assumed operational life is 10 years.
  • NFC communications via ISO-7816, including ISO/IEC 7816-4:2020 and/or ISO/IEC 14443-A.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Tasigner card

BenefitsDrawbacks
An affordable price for €39.No backup solution on microSD for example
Open source codeUses NFC only. This can be a limitation because many smartphones do not support this technology.
Secure element: EAL6 certified smart chip
Comes with RF protective case
Key generation that changes with each new transaction
Key storage inside the card
Nunchuck and Sparrow supported
The buyer's delivery address data is destroyed after 90 days and it is possible to pay in BTC directly.
User-friendly and easy to understand experience.
Supports multi-signature wallets
Many tutorials and guides on Site
No BIP39 support, private key is also unknown to owner

What other features does the Tasigner card have?

  • Support for a wallet multi-signature.
  • Ability to open and close Lightning Network channels
  • Using an NFC module with a Lightning Network node
  • Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions (PSBT) via HWI
  • Used for application authentication

How to use Tasigner? (Tutorial)

Before ordering a card Sign, you first need to make sure that you have the right equipment to do it.

In fact, you will necessarily need:

  1. An NFC-enabled mobile phone or desktop computer. You can check directly on your phone if you have the NFC function or check on the internet.
  2. A compatible software wallet to download as Nunchuck ou Sparrow.

Note: For simplicity for this tutorial, we preferred to use the Nuncuhuk application which is simpler for beginners. For more advanced profiles, you can naturally do this with Sparrow Wallet.

Step 1: Download the TAPSIGNER app

nunchuk-btc coinkite TAPSIGN

The first step is to download the Nunchuck app on your phone or desktop. The app is available on iOS and Google Play.

Step 2: Connect Tasigner to your device

Once the app is downloaded, you need to connect your card to your device via NFC. Make sure NFC is enabled on your phone or desktop computer, then bring the card close to the NFC area of ​​your smartphone.

Step 3: Configure the PIN

As soon as the application recognizes the card, you will be asked to enter a PIN code. Choose something other than your date of birth but opt ​​for a code that you can also remember. You will be asked for this PIN code each time you want to make a transaction.

Step 4: Sync with your wallet

Now, follow the instructions in the application and synchronize your card with the software. Once the synchronization is complete, you will be able to use your card as you wish.

What happens if I lose or have my Tasigner card stolen?

It is not possible to use the card with the software without knowing the PIN code. So, if you lose your card, the person who does not have your PIN will not be able to sign any transactions.

Additionally, in the event of loss or theft, you can use your backup file and a copy of the decryption code on the back of the card to recover the XPRV. If you have a backup, in fact, you no longer need the original physical card.

How can we be sure that the Tasigner's private key is not compromised by the manufacturer?  

When you configure the TapSigner card, you provide a 32-byte chain which will be matched with the private key generated by Tapsigner using the BIP-32 standard. By providing the chain code and Tasigner sharing the public part of the key, you can verify

When you initially configure Tasigner, you provide a 32-byte string code to create the entropy. By combining this chaincode with a private key generated by the card using the BIP-32 standard, the payment address is actually derived. Since you provided the chaincode and Tasigner shares the public part of its key, you can verify that the derived payment address matches the address provided by the card. This allows you to establish a correspondence between the XPUB (public key) that you know and the XPRV (private key) stored in the card.

When is the Tasigner card best suited?

Yes, before knowing whether or not you should get a Tasigner card, you still need to know if it is suitable for you.

  • Looking for an easy-to-use wallet : If you are looking for something easy, then Tasigner may be suitable. However, this requires having your compatible phone and having it by your side to make transactions.
  • Robust security : The secure element as well as the protocols used are considered secure.
  • A solution for those looking to create a multi-signature wallet.
  • For transport or travel : This is a card that looks like any bank card. We can hide it easily and carry it with us wherever we go. However, this is also why it can be so easy to lose her.
  • This can also be a good way to offer bitcoin to someone close to you, in the case of a gift or an inheritance for example.

What are the alternatives to TapSigner?

Even if Tasigner remains a great innovation in the field of bitcoin wallets, it is not the only way to do things and it is not the most secure either. However, remember that each bitcoin wallet has its flaws and qualities and everything will depend on your situation and your personal objectives.

  • Regarding the alternatives, you can opt for other solutions like the famous ColdCard wallet which is considered one of the most secure on the market. It is also designed by CoinKite.
  • You can choose other Bitcoin wallets like bitbox for example or Jade.
  • It also exists the Satscard also designed by CoinKite which is a special form of Bitcoin wallet. It is rather a card designed in the short term to “give” bitcoin to a person. You can find out more by reading our article on the satscard.

Final Opinion

Now you know the essentials about Tasigner. With ease of use and enhanced security, this makes it a bitcoin wallet worth considering. It is also an affordable price at less than 40 euros which makes this card very accessible.

That said, this is also not an optimal method for securing your bitcoins in the long term. This can certainly be suitable if you have a small amount of money that you want to have easily with you, of course, but the card can be lost rather easily; This is also why you must make the backup beforehand.

So, if you are looking for a solution to store your bitcoin even more securely and over the long term, you should consider other alternatives such as open source physical wallets that we mentioned above, such as ColdCard, Bitbox etc.

See also:

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Disclaimer: This does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research before investing. Our links may contain affiliate links.

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