Passport Hardware Wallet: Open Source Bitcoin Wallet

Description

Passport by Foundation is a Bitcoin, open source hardware wallet. Its key feature is that it is an air gapped wallet, ensuring enhanced security by operating offline. Passport hardware wallet was launched in 2020 in the United States.

Pros and Cons of Foundation’s Passport Wallet

Pros of Passport Bitcoin Wallet

• Being an open source wallet, both the software and the mobile app are open source. Essentially, this means that your wallet is highly secure and has been thoroughly vetted by the open source community
• Passport is an air-gapped hardware wallet, it uses a camera and QR codes instead of USB data or wireless communication
• It’s compatible with BlueWallet, BTCPay, Electrum, Wasabi, Sparrow, etc
• You can buy Bitcoin directly into self-custody with debit cards, credit cards, Apple and Google Pay from both Azte.co, a Bitcoin voucher platform, and BTCPay servers, and discover new peer-to-peer exchanges, no-KYC exchanges and Bitcoin ATMs.
• Envoy is Passport mobile companion app. The mobile app saves as its interface, and it allows you to see balance in sats and USD
• You can use a microSD card instead of the QR codes when using Passport with a computer
• The Passport wallet offers compatibility with Nostr, allowing for the secure offline creation of Nostr private keys. Transferring these keys to any Nostr client is possible, with export options via MicroSD or QR, supporting the Amethyst client, and more options coming in the future.
• It’s beautifully designed in the style of a smartphone, with an easy-to-use interface and an extra-hard glass protector. Just like a mobile phone, its appearance is so familiar that most people won’t realize you’re actually holding a Bitcoin wallet
• A high-resolution glass display and an in-built camera for scanning QR codes
• If you’re new to Bitcoin, the company offers a unique, personalized 60-minute onboarding experience tailored to your Passport wallet

Cons of Passport Bitcoin Wallet

• At $199.00 (June 2024), Passport wallet may be cost-prohibitive for some users.
• Due to the security features of Passport hardware wallet, the company is unable to accept returns of the product.

Is Passport Bitcoin Wallet Safe?

The Foundation Passport Bitcoin Wallet is considered safe due to its unique design as an air-gapped bitcoin wallet, meaning it never communicates directly with any device connected to the Internet. This significantly reduces the risk of remote hacking attempts. Additionally, its USB-C connector is used solely for powering the battery and does not transfer data, further enhancing its security.

As an open-source hardware wallet, the Passport BTC wallet allows security researchers to inspect its source code and discover any potential vulnerabilities, ensuring a higher level of trust and transparency in its security features.

How to Set Up Passport Hardware Wallet

The video below is a step-by-step guide on how to use Passport BTC wallet. Alternatively, the company can help you set up your Passport bitcoin wallet with a private 1-hour session.

Is Foundation Passport Hardware Wallet Good for You?

Passport is a great choice for bitcoin maximalists seeking a secure and easy-to-use bitcoin-only hardware wallet. It is compatible with various wallets, such as BlueWallet and Electrum, as well as Bitcoin payment processors such as BTCPay Server.

One key feature of the Passport is its multisig (multi-signature) wallet capability. Multisig wallets require multiple signatures to authorize a Bitcoin transaction. This adds an extra layer of security by distributing control across different parties (for example, a business partnership) or devices, reducing the risk of losing funds due to a compromised private key or single point of failure.

Its Secure Element chip provides robust protection against physical attacks and tampering attempts, while its intuitive smartphone-like design with a screen and keyboard makes it user-friendly for both beginners and experienced bitcoin enthusiasts. Passport is also open source, which means that its code can be audited for security. Additionally, Passport is air-gapped, meaning that it is never connected to the internet, which further enhances its security.

Passport also offers the ability to buy Bitcoin within the wallet using debit/credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

While Passport cold wallet stands out as an excellent option, it is worth noting that Passport is a bit pricey ($199.00) compared to other hardware wallets on the market and its non-returnable policy may be drawbacks to some users.

Foundation Passport Hardware Wallet Alternatives

More Information

• Buy Passport hardware wallet
• Passport BTC wallet setup guide