Blockstream Jade and Coldcard are two of the most popular hardware wallets on the market, offering a high level of security and features for storing and managing Bitcoin. While both Bitcoin wallets are excellent choices, there are some key differences to consider when choosing between them. Let’s explore Coldcard vs Jade.
Price
One of the biggest differences between Blockstream Jade and Coldcard is the price. Blockstream Jade is currently priced at $64.99, while Coldcard is priced at $157.94. This makes Blockstream Jade a more affordable option if you are a budget-conscious user.
Features
Both Blockstream Jade and Coldcard offer a wide range of features, including:
- Air-gapped: They use air-gapped systems for signing transactions to enhance security by isolating the signing process from online networks.
- Multisig: They enable multi-signature functionality to require multiple private keys for transaction authorization.
- Support for BIP39 Seed Phrases: They implement BIP39 seed phrases to allow you to easily back up and recover your wallet using a mnemonic phrase.
- Two-Factor Authentication: They support two-factor authentication (2FA), requiring you to provide two forms of identification before accessing your bitcoin to strengthen account access security.
- SegWit: Both Blockstream Jade and Coldcard support Segregated Witness (SegWit), which is a Bitcoin protocol upgrade that improves transaction efficiency and reduces fees.
- Taproot: Blockstream Jade supports Taproot, which is a Bitcoin protocol upgrade that improves privacy, security, and flexibility.
- Stateless signing: For enhanced security, they offer a way to sign transactions without storing your private keys on the device itself.
However, there are some key differences in terms of the specific features offered by each wallet. For example, Jade has a built-in Bluetooth connectivity, a camera, and a battery. It also supports Liquid Network and the mobile app. Coldcard does not have any of these features, but it supports Lightning Network, microSD card, and it can be used with NFC.
Whether these additional features are important to you will depend on your individual needs. For example, if you plan on storing large amounts of Bitcoin, then you may want to consider a hardware wallet with a built-in microSD card slot for storing backups. And if you plan on using your hardware wallet with a mobile device, then you may want to consider a hardware wallet that supports Bluetooth connectivity.
Read also: Bitbox vs Coldcard
Ease of use
Blockstream Jade is generally considered to be easier to use than Coldcard. Blockstream Jade uses a companion mobile wallet called Blockstream Green, which provides a user-friendly interface for managing your Bitcoin. Coldcard, on the other hand, uses a more basic keypad-based command-line interface.
Security
Both Blockstream Jade and Coldcard are highly secure hardware wallets, and both have a good track record of security. They are both designed to be air-gapped, which means they are less vulnerable to hacking attacks. Additionally, they support stateless signing and 2FA, which add an extra layer of security to your wallet.
Blockstream Jade is an open source hardware wallet, meaning that its code is publicly available for review and auditing. This makes it more difficult for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities. Coldcard, on the other hand, is not open source.
Coldcard allows you to create a hidden wallet (duress wallet) that can be used to deceive thieves or attackers into thinking they have stolen all of your Bitcoin. Jade does not offer a duress wallet feature.
With traditional wallets, your private keys are stored directly on the device, making them vulnerable to theft. This is known as a “Klepto” attack. Coldcard mitigates this by requiring a PIN and recovery phrase, but the keys are still physically accessible.
Jade takes things a step further with its innovative anti-Klepto and anti-Exfill measures. Your private keys never reside on the device itself. Instead, they’re securely generated and stored on a “blind oracle” server, accessible only through your PIN and a special QR code scanned during transactions. Even if someone steals your Jade, they can’t extract your keys (anti-Exfill) or use them without the PIN (anti-Klepto).
During regular Bitcoin transactions, your hardware wallet directly signs the transaction, potentially exposing your private key to any vulnerabilities in the signing process. This is where blind oracle signing comes in. Both Jade and Coldcard offer this feature, but with a subtle difference. Coldcard relies on a single pre-configured server for blind signing. While secure, this introduces a single point of potential failure. Jade, on the other hand, utilizes a decentralized network of blind oracle servers. This distributes the signing process, making it significantly more resistant to server compromise or manipulation.
Strong private keys rely on high-quality randomness, also known as “entropy.” Weak entropy sources can make your keys predictable, putting your funds at risk. Coldcard uses a combination of user interaction and internal randomness for entropy generation. While secure, it’s a fairly standard approach. Jade goes the extra mile, incorporating thermal noise and other environmental factors into its entropy generation process. This creates a more unpredictable and robust source of randomness, further strengthening your private keys.
Read also: Blockstream Jade vs Trezor
Coldcard Vs Jade: Summary
The table below summarizes the key difference between Coldcard and Jade:
| Feature | Blockstream Jade | Coldcard |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64.99 | $157.94 |
| Air-gapped, Multisig, 2FA, BIP39 Seed Phrases, SegWit, Stateless signing | Yes | Yes |
| Taproot | Yes | No |
| Built-in Bluetooth, Camera, Battery | Yes | No |
| Liquid Network | Yes | No |
| Mobile app | Yes | No |
| Lightning Network | No | Yes |
| MicroSD card | No | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Ease of use | Easier | More difficult |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Duress wallet | No | Yes |
| Anti-Klepto/Exfill | Yes | No |
| Blind oracle signing | Decentralized servers | Single server |
| Entropy generation | Thermal noise and user interaction | User interaction and internal randomness |
Coldcard vs Blockstream Jade: Which One Should You Choose?
Both Blockstream Jade and Coldcard are air-gapped hardware wallets, meaning they are not connected to the internet and therefore more secure than hot wallets. This makes them ideal for storing large amounts of Bitcoin or for those who are particularly concerned about security.
Blockstream Jade is a newer hardware wallet that is relatively easy to use and affordable. If you are new to hardware wallets and prefer a hardware wallet that is easier to use, or you are on a budget, then Blockstream Jade is a good choice. Additionally, if security is your top priority, or if you value transparency and open source software, then Blockstream Jade is the better option.
Coldcard might be your best choice if you are looking for a more established hardware wallet that has been around since 2017. It has a number of features that make it attractive to advanced users, such as a MicroSD card slot for storing backups and a duress wallet that can be accessed in an emergency, and the support for fast and low cost transactions via the Lightning Network.
Both Jade and Coldcard offer exceptional security features, making them top choices for protecting your Bitcoin. However, Jade’s innovative anti-Klepto/Exfill technology, decentralized blind oracle signing, and advanced entropy generation give it a slight edge in terms of cutting-edge security measures.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which hardware wallet is right for you is to consider the features of each and decide which one addresses your needs and preferences.
Investing in a hardware wallet is the single most crucial step you can take to safeguard your Bitcoin holdings. These wallets offer an undeniable layer of security against online vulnerabilities, malware attacks, and even physical theft. However, be sure to purchase your hardware wallet directly from the official manufacturer’s website, not from eBay or second-hand sellers, to avoid compromised devices.
