Bitcoin Security Guide
Practical steps to secure your bitcoin. Start at the top, work your way down.
1Choosing a Hardware Wallet
What to look for in a hardware wallet and why we recommend COLDCARD for Bitcoin self-custody.
Setting Up Your COLDCARD
Step-by-step setup for COLDCARD Q and Mk5. PIN, seed generation, device verification, and pairing with a wallet app.
Backing Up Your Wallet
How to back up your Bitcoin seed phrase on metal, encrypted MicroSD, and optionally split with SeedXOR.
Passphrases
How Bitcoin passphrases work, how to pick a good one, XFP verification, and duress wallets.
Sending Bitcoin
How to send Bitcoin with an air-gapped COLDCARD using PSBTs. Transaction signing, QR codes, MicroSD, and address verification.
Multisig
When and how to set up a 2-of-3 multisig wallet with COLDCARD and Sparrow. Wallet descriptors, key ceremonies, and recovery.
Inheritance Planning
How to make sure your family can access your Bitcoin if something happens to you. Practical steps for inheritance without giving up control.
Privacy
Bitcoin privacy basics. Address reuse, running your own node, Tor, labeling, and why privacy is security.
Physical Security
Protect yourself and your Bitcoin from physical threats. Low profile, duress planning, geographic distribution, and device security.