Tangem Wallet | Frequently Asked Questions .
Hardware Wallets Australia | Proud to be the chosen official strategic partner and reseller of Tangem AG for Australia and New Zealand .
Have a frequently asked question ? We're confident you’ll find your answer below. If you can't find what you're looking for, send us an email through our contact form.
Tangem . Redefining the crypto wallet experience.
Enjoy complete autonomy and independence while managing your digital assets with a single tap.
Frequently Sought Answers
Top Featured Questions
What Is Tangem Wallet ?
Tangem Wallet Australia is a highly secure, IP68-certified seedless crypto hardware wallet where only your card knows your private key.
Tangem Wallet is DeFi-compatible allowing you to buy, sell, exchange, stake, lend and *earn with thousands of cryptocurrencies via an intuitive, open-source app.
Tangem Wallet is available in sets of two or three cards, each equipped with Samsung's EAL6+ (CC) chip. Further the chip firmware is not updatable, which prevents future security vulnerabilities.
Accessing your funds is as simple as tapping the card to your phone. Tangem Wallet is lightweight, discreet, portable, and backed by a 25+ year warranty.
What makes Tangem Wallet different ?
The traditional cold wallet experience is often overly complex.
When you create a wallet with Tangem Wallet Australia, a private key is generated on the card. This private key remains on the card and is not stored anywhere else.
This is important because it completely eliminates the possibility of disclosing the key to third parties, as it is stored solely on Samsung's industry-leading EAL6+ (CC) chip and is unknown to anyone, even the wallet owner.
Although traditional recovery seed phrase backups (BIP-39) are proven and reliable, they are susceptible to being disclosed to third parties. This is why Tangem is considered the most secure wallet.
How Tangem Wallet Works ?
The Tangem Wallet system consists of two components. The first is the hardware wallet card, which generates the private key using a hardware random number generator and stores it securely on the card, fully disconnected from the internet.
The second component is the Tangem mobile app, available on iOS and Android, which serves as a user interface enabling the cards to communicate with multiple blockchains.
Both the Tangem card and app use Near-field communication (NFC), a wireless technology that enables devices to communicate within a few centimetres of each other through inductive coupling between two antennas on NFC-enabled devices — your smartphone and the Tangem card — allowing communication in one or both directions.
Who is Tangem Australia
Formerly known as Hardware Wallets Australia, Tangem Wallet Australia is a strategic collaboration between Hardware Wallets Australia and Tangem AG, the original Swiss-based manufacturer of Tangem Wallet—the world's first seedless crypto hardware wallet.
Answers to General Questions
General Questions
Why do I need a hardware wallet ?
The main benefit of owning a hardware crypto wallet is its heightened security.
Since the private keys are stored offline in the device, it is less susceptible to hacking attacks or malware that could infect your computer.
This minimises the risk of losing your digital assets to theft or fraud.
Another key advantage is complete independence. You control your keys and can access your crypto whenever you want without needing permission from any third party.
What Sets Tangem Wallet Apart from Other Cold Wallets ?
Simplicity and security.
Your Tangem wallet can be with you anytime; there is no need to charge or connect it with wires. The cards can fit in a pouch with your other credit cards, so you can sign your transactions anywhere.
Tangem Wallet is also very easy to use: Just tap the card on your phone to access your crypto.
In addition to convenience, the card’s EAL6+ certified chip is as secure as a biometric passport.
Simply put, if other hardware wallets were made by geeks for geeks, we combined flawless simplicity and advanced security to make Tangem Wallet for everyone.
What's the difference between a two and three card wallet set ?
A 3-card set offers better wallet recovery options compared to a 2-card set.
If one card is lost or stolen, you can use the other to access your wallet. However, if you lose one card and forget your access code, you'll need a third card to reset the access code. For these reasons, we recommend choosing the 3-card set.
What if I lose or break my phone ?
No, you will not lose access to your funds. You can use your card to access your wallet on any other mobile device. Just download the Tangem app on another phone and scan your Tangem cards.
Remember, your phone doesn't store your crypto's; it's simply a display that provides the wallet's interface for easy access.
Your private keys are stored on the card’s chip, not your phone and your cryptocurrencies remain on their associated blockchains.
What Happens If a Tangem Wallet Card Is Stolen ?
No. An access code protects the wallet against unauthorised access by third parties and brute-force attacks.
Do my cards depend on Tangem's Servers or infrastructure ?
Using the best technology humanity has to offer, we painstakingly designed our products to be fully autonomous. Neither Tangem servers nor services are participating or have access to your crypto activities.
There is only your card, your phone, and the blockchain.
Our products will remain functional in any circumstance: the Tangem App code is available on GitHub; it can be rebuilt even if Apple Store and Google Play remove it from their app stores.
Can I use a BIP-039 seed phrase with Tangem ?
Using a seed phrase is optional in the Tangem wallet 2.0 and not recommended.
There are three methods of key generation:
1. Certified True Random Number Generator (TRNG): This is the recommended method and generates and stores the keys inside the card chips. Neither Tangem nor anyone else knows the keys, and no copies exist outside your Tangem cards.
2. Generating a seed phrase with the Tangem app: You can create a seed phrase with the Tangem app and import it to the card.
3. Importing a seed phrase from another wallet: You have the option to import a seed phrase from another wallet.
Unlike keys generated by the card, seed phrases can be copied and stolen. Learn more about seed phrase technology and our perspective here.
Can I pay with my Tangem card at physical stores ?
Tangem cards currently don't work across the Visa or Mastercard payment systems.
However, if a seller accepts cryptocurrency transfers, you can send funds to their address to pay for goods or services.
Using a Tangem card as a bank card is not supported yet.
Can I Use Tangem Wallet with on a PC or Tablet ?
No, as tablets and PCs do not have an NFC module.
Apple iOS 14.5+ and Android 6.0+ with full-NFC support.
Note; iPhone 6/6s & SE are not compatible, iPhone 7/7 Plus & some Android models do not have full NFC support which means you cannot create an optional BIP-039 backup.
How can I get the Tangem app ?
The official Tangem app is available for download from GitHub, Apple Store and Google Play stores.
Why can't I download the Tangem app from Google Play?
Most likely, your Android device does not have full NFC support, so the app cannot be downloaded from the marketplace.
In this case, you can use any other device (iPhone 8 and up or any Android 6.0+ with full NFC support) to setup your Tangem wallet card.
What do I do if I can’t scan the card ?
If you use an iOS device, you should tap the card on the top of your iPhone and hold it until it is scanned. When you tap the "Scan" button, an animation shows you how to attach the card correctly to your phone. You may also wish to restart your phone.
If you use an Android device, we advise you to pay attention to the following points while scanning the card: 1. Сheck if the NFC module is enabled on your device and for the Tangem app. 2. Remove the case from the mobile device, as it may interfere with the NFC module. 3. The NFC module location is different on Android mobile devices. You need to determine the exact location of the NFC module on your phone. You can do this using the hint by tapping the "How to" button in the scan window. 4. Then you need to tap the card on your mobile device a little longer when scanning because sometimes the NFC module on Android devices responds longer than usual. 5. Sometimes, we advise you to restart the mobile device.
If the issue is not solved after following all the steps, please send a request through the app in the window "Are you having trouble scanning the card?" by double-clicking "Cancel" when scanning.
Can I use Tangem wallet on multiple devices ?
Yes, you can use the wallet simultaneously on unlimited devices.
The phone itself doesn't store any assets you hold; it simply acts as a display by visualising specific data for a particular user on screen.
The storage of private keys and signing of transactions is done by your card.
Is there a difference between "primary" and "backup" cards ?
All of the cards from the backup are equal to each other and have access to the same wallet.
What is the lifespan of the card ?
The cards have a minimum lifespan of 25 years, which is guaranteed by Samsung, the chip manufacturer.
Technical information about the chip is available on the Samsung website here.
All about Coin, Token and Blockchain Support
Supported Digital Asset Questions
What Coins and Networks are supported by Tangem Wallet ?
Tangem Wallet supports 38 networks including
Arbitrum, Avalanche C-Chain, Azero, BNB Beacon Chain, BNB Smart Chain, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano, Chia, Cosmos, Cronos, Dash, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, Ethereum Fair, Ethereum PoW, Fantom Opera, Gnosis, Kaspa, Kava EVM, Kusama, Litecoin, NEAR Protocol, OctaSpace, Optimistic Ethereum, Polkadot, Polygon, Ravencoin, RSK, Ripple, Solana, Stellar, Tezos, Terra, Terra Classic, Ton, TRON.
All supported networks and tokens are listed on the official manufacture website here. Be sure to return to Tangem Australia before making your purchase for same-day-shipping.
What networks are supported for BTC ?
Tangem wallet supports BTC on the Bitcoin native network and other networks. It has slightly different names in the token lists on other networks;
1. WBTC (Wrapped Bitcoin) on the Ethereum (ERC-20), Solana, Polygon, Avalanche C-Chain, Fantom Opera, Arbitrum, Optimistic Ethereum, Gnosis Chain, Kava EVM and Cronos networks.
2. BTCB (Binance Bitcoin) on the BNB Smart Chain (BEP-20) network.
What networks are supported for ETH?
Tangem wallet supports Ethereum on the native Ethereum network (ERC-20) as well as on other networks.
For the BNB Smart Chain (BEP-20), BNB Beacon Chain (BEP-2), Polygon, Solana, Avalanche C-Chain, Fantom Opera, Arbitrum, Optimistic Ethereum, Gnosis Chain, Kava EVM and Cronos networks, it is listed as WETH.
How does the Tangem card chip memory support so many blockchains ?
Tangem wallet already supports 38 networks and has enough memory to store public and private keys for at least a hundred blockchains.
This works as follows: one or more extended keys are generated, and then a key derivation for a particular blockchain is added according to the BIP44 standard.
Can I store and manage NFTs in Tangem Wallet ?
NFT management capability has not yet been launched in the Tangem app.
If you connect your Tangem wallet to the NFT marketplace via WalletConnect, you will be able to manage NFTs on Tangem through the marketplace.
It's not recommended to send NFTs from one wallet to another, as there are no tools for interacting with NFTs in the Tangem app.
Your Security Questions Answered
Security Questions
Where are my Crypto Assets stored ?
The cryptocurrency is always located on their associated blockchains, while the Tangem card stores your private keys to access your blockchain addresses.
Where are my Private Keys Kept ?
Your Tangem wallet keys, which are needed to manage your funds, are created when you activate your card.
The keys never leave the chip after the wallet activation and are not transferred anywhere.
The primary purpose of the card's chip is to keep your keys safe and secure.
Remember, not your keys, not your crypto.
How are my Key pairs generated ?
The key is generated on the card using a hardware random number generator during card activation.
The entropy for the random number is taken from the chip’s physical sensors. This means that no one can ever know your private key.
The hardware random number generator is a component of the Samsung-produced chip. You can read the safety assessment document via this link.
How are my Keys cloned to my backup cards ?
When a backup is created, a secure communication channel is established between the cards using the Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol, after which the keys are transferred from one card to the other.
This mechanism is fully protected against man-in-the-middle attacks since the first step involves the cards authenticating each other with a two-way attestation, and the encryption is done with a 256-bit key.
This is a top-level encryption protocol, and the application will not be able to decrypt the keys under any circumstances.
Is there a seed phrase in the wallet ?
Tangem does not use traditional BIP-039 (seed phrase) technology, believing it to be highly insecure.
The presence of a key in plain sight is a potential vulnerability. Firstly, hot and "warm" wallets can have access to this key, which can be hacked.
Secondly, having the key in an unsecured location at home, work or elsewhere always involves the potential risk of compromise.
Instead, Tangem offers a backup on 2 or 3 identical cards. The cards hold the keys and never share them with anyone; they are protected by an access code. You therefore have 2 or 3 duplicate keys for one vault (your wallet).
They are equal, so you can keep them in different places and use any of them. The most important thing is that the keys are never in public view during their life-cycle.
Simple, safe, secure - That's Tangem Wallet Australia.
How do I find my private Key ?
The card is based on a chip that generates a private key during the wallet creation process, using a hardware random number generator. The entropy for the random number is taken from the chip’s physical sensors. The key never leaves the chip in an unencrypted state or after the wallet is activated. The chip's primary purpose is to keep the key safe and secure.
This means that no one can ever find out your private key. The secret is safe, even from you.
Where is the guarantee that the manufacturer doesn’t know the key ?
The Tangem card doesn't have a private key initially. The key is generated when the wallet is created and the card is tapped against the mobile device. Moreover, public and private keys will be regenerated if you reset the card to factory settings and recreate the wallet.
The firmware has been audited by the independent Swiss company Kudelski Security.
The firmware audit confirms that the private key is created using a hardware random number generator and that there are no other backdoors or bugs that could result in the loss of funds.
The results of the Kudelski Security audit are available here.
Why is it possible to link backup cards only once ?
For security reasons, backup creation and private key cloning can only be done once.
You should therefore be sure of the number of copies of your private key you want to create.
As the cards operate without using the company's servers, the cards know nothing about each other. It is only when creating a backup that the private key is copied to the number of cards you have chosen.
If backup cards could be linked on multiple occasions, an attacker could make copies of your card without your knowledge.
Does the Tangem app store user data ?
The app doesn’t store personal data or any other information that could identify a user or their phone.
Is there any protection against brute-force attacks ?
The card has protection against brute-force attacks. After the sixth incorrect attempt to enter the access code, the delay time for the next attempt is increased by 1 second. The maximum delay time is 45 seconds. The delay is only reset after the access code has been successfully entered.
How can the authenticity of the Tangem firmware be verified ?
Tangem card technology provides a "security through obscurity" approach. The disclosure of the source code within the secure elements would render hardware wallets vulnerable.
To prove that the Tangem firmware has no backdoors or bugs that would lead to the loss of funds, Tangem has undergone two independent audits by leading cybersecurity firms Kudelski Security and Riscure, an international security lab. These audits confirmed the absence of backdoors and vulnerabilities, as well as any suspicious data collection features.
Questions for the Extremely Attentive
In-Depth Questions
If I lose one card from the backup, can I buy another set and link it to my existing wallet?
Since you can only create a backup and clone the private key once, you won’t be able to link new cards to an existing backup. After purchasing a new set, you should transfer your funds to the new wallet.
Can I use all three cards for different wallets?
No, with Tangem Wallet 2.0 it is mandatory to create a backup with the second card. Please keep in mind, however, that if you lose one of the cards without a backup, you will lose access to that wallet. We therefore recommend that you create backup copies on additional cards. This way, if one of the cards is lost or stolen, the backup cards will help restore access to your wallet, and the access code will help prevent attackers from transferring your funds.
How do I restore access if I lose all my backup cards?
If you lose all the cards in your backup, you will lose access to your funds. Only your cards have access to the wallet. The number of cards in your set (2 or 3) is the number of copies of your private key that exist in the world. This is why we recommend keeping your cards in different places. If one card is lost/stolen, you can buy a new set of cards and transfer the funds to it.
Can different access codes be set for each card in the backup?
By default, the same access code is created for all cards during backup. After that, you can set a different access code on each card through by going to "Details", "Card settings" and then "Change access code".
Is it possible to update the card firmware?
Tangem cards cannot be physically modified, as there is a monolithic chip inside the card. For total safety, the card is flashed once and is not updated again eliminating the risk of malicious firmware resulting in the loss funds. The ability to update the software of any hardware wallet means that you need to trust the wallet manufacturer and hope that there is never an update which compromises your keys.
In the case of Tangem, the card is flashed only once, and the firmware has been audited by the independent Swiss company Kudelski Security. Moreover, the card can prove that it has the precise firmware that was audited. This is one of the wallet's unique features that makes Tangem the most secure and trusted wallet in the world.
Meticulous Queries for the Most Careful
Detail-Oriented Questions
What personal data does the Tangem collect?
Tangem does not monitor incoming or outgoing transactions. We never gather wallet addresses, users’ personal data, or any other information that could identify users or their phones.
What happens if the Tangem app is removed from the App Stores ?
If the Tangem app becomes unavailable for download from the App Store or Google Play, you will still have access to the previously installed app on your device.
Further; The Tangem app works independently of Tangem's servers and will continue to work even if Tangem shuts down.
Finally, you can also always download the Tangem app from GitHub. Moreover, the Tangem app is fully open source so a replacement app can be created by anyone and used to power the card.
For more details, you can read the official blog.
Will the card still work If Tangem ceases to exist ?
Even though Tangem has no intention of going out of business or cease operations in case something terrible happens, Tangem cards and the app will continue to function.
The Tangem app uses the company's servers to verify the card's authenticity, synchronise the list of tokens added between backup cards, and calculate the value of the cryptocurrency in your wallet.
Without these services, you will still be able to use your Tangem cards, though it will be a little less convenient.
You can read more on the official blog here.
Can Tangem block access to my card ?
No, Tangem doesn’t have its own servers that connect to blockchains.
It is the app on your phone which communicates directly with the blockchain. Tangem's philosophy is to provide users with a technological solution for interacting with crypto assets and nothing more.
The Tangem wallet protocol looks like this: card to application, to blockchain.
Neither Tangem nor Tangem Australia performs user registration or verification, so we don't have information about your geolocation, citizenship, or other identifying details. This means we can't pinpoint a user to block their wallet access (even if it were possible). At most, we could potentially see your IP address, but you can change it with a VPN if necessary.
Can Tangem block a lost card ?
This isn’t supported. Once a backup has been created, all cards in the set have a single private key and become equal, so there is no technical way to identify which card has been lost.
When you activate a card and create a backup, you protect each card with its user password.
You get to choose how long and complex each password is.
How reliable and safe is the chip in Tangem wallet ?
Tangem Wallet is a highly secure and reliable hardware wallet. The chip in your card is a microcomputer that generates a private key that never leaves the card.
Tangem has gone above and beyond to demonstrate its commitment to security:
Top certification: Tangem has achieved the highest certification level among direct competitors, EAL6+ by Common Criteria, ensuring there are no backdoors. This is the same chip protection level used in passports.
Audited firmware: The firmware has been audited by both Kudelski Security and and Riscure the world's leading security laboratories.
Superior IP68 protection: Tangem hardware wallet has the highest IP68 protection against environmental hazards, making it resistant to dust, water, and hacking attempts.
Wide temperature range: The card can operate from -25°C (-13°F) to +50°C (122°F), even in snowy conditions, without any issues.
Long-lasting chip: The chip is designed to sign an infinite number of transactions and has a life expectancy of over 25 years.
Robust against external threats: The chip is safeguarded against electromagnetic pulses (EMPs), electrostatic discharge (ESD), and X-rays in compliance with the ISO 7816-1 standard.
Since 2018, Tangem have issued over 1,000,000 cards, all of which remain defect-free and fully functional.
What will happen to the card when it is exposed to a powerful magnetic field, for example, in an MRI machine? What is the probability that the wallet will demagnetize and stop working?
The chip doesn't contain any magnetic elements that could demagnetise. Moreover, the Tangem card chip is protected against EMPs (electromagnetic pulses), ESD (electrostatic discharge) and X-rays in compliance with the ISO 7816-1 standard.
Getting Started with Tangem Wallet .
-
- Open the Tangem app.
- Tap Scan and scan the card by bringing it close to your smartphone.
- Select Create Wallet and scan the card again.
- Select Back up now.
- Open the Tangem app.
-
5. Tap Add a backup card.
6. Scan the second card by tapping it on your smartphone.
7. Repeat the last backup process for the third card (if available).
8. Tap Finalize the backup process.
To protect your Tangem cards, you must create an access code. -
9. Tap Continue and enter an access code.
10. Select Continue.
11. Re-enter your access code.
12. Tap Submit.
13. Scan all the cards one by one again.
You are ready to use Tangem app .
Tangem Australia. Powered by Hardware Wallets Australia
Official Strategic Partner and Reseller for Australia and New Zealand
