ICON_PLACEHOLDEREstimated reading time: 8 minutes
Hardware wallets are offline devices that store cryptocurrencies. In this article, we will review Bitbox wallets that are created by Swiss Firm Shift CryptoSecurity.
BitBox wallets come in two versions – BitBox01 and BitBox02. There are two different types of BitBox02 wallets – Bitcoin only and multicurrency-edition. The multicurrency-edition wallets support Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ether, and ERC-20 tokens.
Table of contents
Summary
- Shift CryptoSecurity manufactures Bitbox wallets in Switzerland.
- The wallets have a simple and elegant design. They use intuitive touch sliders and do not have any buttons.
- The wallets have a USB-C port attached to the device and are also compatible with USB-A.
- Bitbox supports over 1500 cryptocurrencies.
- BitBox offers two options for backup- an SD card and a Steel wallet apocalypse-proof backup.
- Bitbox signs the secure chips to prevent any physical tampering. They use various measures to ensure that the device is entirely safe.
- They provide an easy to use and user-friendly interface.
BitBox02 Review: Physical Appearance
| Category | BitBox02 |
|---|---|
| Display | 128 x 64 px white OLED |
| Size | 54.5 x 25.4 x 9.6 mm with USB-C plug |
| Weight | 12g |
- BitBox02 wallets use polycarbonate material. They are tough and durable.
- The device does not have any buttons.
- The design is sleek and minimalist.
- The sensors are built-in around its edges.
- The device has a card slot where to insert a micro SDCard for backup.
They use invisible touch sensors using three simple gestures: Slide, Tap, and Hold. The gestures are used for –
- Tap – Navigate and Select
- Slide – To verify your address.
- Hold- It avoids any accidental transaction.
Connectivity
BitBox02 has a USB-C port attached to the device. Additionally, it also provides a USB C to A adaptor.
Hardware
Bitbox uses the ATSAMD51J20A micro-controller. Additionally, they use a true random number generator to increase security.
The secure chip ATECC608A is used to protect against physical tampering. This helps you prevent brute force attacks and provides additional security to private keys.
BitBox02 Cryptocurrency support
BitBox02 wallets support over 1500 cryptocurrencies. You can check the complete list here.
Backup
It is essential to create a backup to restore your funds if your device is lost. You can use an SD card to backup all information present in the wallet.
However, you can also use Steel wallet apocalypse-proof backup. It is made of stainless steel and can survive a housefire, radiation, corrosion, or any such extreme conditions.
The device is easy to use and does not require any additional tools. They are aging resistant backup for future generations. Above all, they are BIP-39 compatible.
The steel wallet consists of two metal sheets. Each of these sheets can fit six words per side. The recovery words are recorded on them using a puncher. The puncher spring creates a lasting dent. The first four characters of recovery phrases are unique; therefore, we only need to punch them. To avoid mistakes, you can first mark the holes using a felt pen and then use a puncher.To differentiate the first and the second sheet, you can make one and two holes on the side of the sheet, respectively.
BitBox02 Review: Security
Bitbox attests the wallets during factory setup. Every time you use the BitBox app, they check the authenticity of the device.
The app only accepts firmware signed by Shift Crypto. The firmware is open-source and allows deterministic builds. Additionally, they have a bug bounty program for reporting any findings of security breaches.
Bitbox wallets arrive in a vacuum-sealed plastic bag to prevent supply chain attacks
The bootloader prevents installing firmware of a different edition or any downgrades. The bootloader displays the hash of the firmware before executing it for binary transparency.
Bitbox uses a monotonic counter in the secure chip that limits the number of attempts for password entries. This helps in avoiding brute force attacks.
You can set up a password for the device. All communication between the app and device is encrypted.
Bitbox generates the twenty-four words recovery seed phrase using multiple sources of entropy. It is encrypted and stored in the Microcontroller Unit (MCU) and is protected by your chosen password and the secure chip.
Additionally, BitBox allows you to use Universal Two Factor (U2F) for some of your online accounts – GitHub, Dropbox, Google, Facebook, and more. It doesn’t allow you to login without authenticating through the device. You can do the same by plugging and touching it.
User Experience
Bitbox offers a secure, user-friendly application to manage your assets securely. It allows you to manage and update your Bitbox devices. They provide the latest Segwit Bech32 address format so that you can save on transaction fees.
The Bitbox02 device can be paired with the app using BitBox Bridge. To do the same, you need to ensure that the code shown on the device screen is the same as that of the app. They provide you with the option to create a new wallet or restore an existing one.
They provide multilingual support. The app is available in Bulgarian, Chinese, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Japanese, Malay, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Slovenian, Spanish, Turkish.
The application supports macOS, Windows, Linux, and Android. You can download them from here.
BitBox02 Pricing
| Category | Price in EUR | Price in USD |
|---|---|---|
| BitBox02 Multi edition | 109 | 132 |
| BitBox02 Bitcoin only edition | 109 | 132 |
| Backup card | 9 | 10.90 |
| Backup card (3 pack) | 21 | 25.44 |
| Steel Wallet | 59 | 71.46 |
| Tamper-evident bags | 9 | 10.90 |
| USB-C extension cable | 12.50 | 15.14 |
| USB-C to USB-A adaptor | 7 | 8.48 |
You can pre-order them here. BitBox offers a warranty of two years. All orders over € 250 get free shipping.
Bitbox covers the import costs. You can also order them from a local reseller from America, Europe, the Middle East, or Asia-Pacific.
You can return the product if it is unused and the packaging is not open within ten days of delivery. BitBox will deduct the original shipping fee and the return shipping fee from the total price and refund the remaining amount. If you had completed the using Bitcoin, the refunds would be issued at the order’s USD value. The exchange rate value of the time of transmission is used.
Customer Support
You can also write to them at [email protected]. Bitbox is also available on Twitter.
Additionally, they also run a Youtube channel.
BitBox02 Review: Pros and Cons
Pros
- A Reputed firm Shift CryptoSecurity has developed the wallets.
- The wallet is easy to set up.
- The BitBox application is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface.
- They use various measures to ensure the security of the device.
- They offer Universal Two Factor (U2F) support.
- Robust backup options are also available.
Cons
- Limited cryptocurrencies are supported.
- The screen size is small.
BitBox02 Review: Conclusion
BitBox offers easy to use secure wallets. The wallet is controlled with gestures, which is relatively new. Initially, you might find them a little challenging to use, but it’s fun once you get used to them.
The wallets are USB-C and USB-A compatible. Bitbox uses multiple security layers to protect the device. Additionally, they provide easy and secure backup and recovery options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are BitBox wallets safe?
BitBox signs the firmware of each device. Every time the device is connected with the app, the authenticity of the device is checked. The bootloaders prevent the installation of the firmware of different editions or any downgrades. In addition to that, BitBox allows you to use Universal Two Factor (U2F) for some of your online accounts.
What are the backup options available in BitBox?
BitBox offers two options for backup- an SD card and a Steel wallet apocalypse-proof Backup. The steel wallet can survive a housefire, radiation, corrosion, or any such extreme conditions.
Are the touch sliders in BitBox wallets difficult to use?
The wallet is controlled with gestures, which is relatively new. Initially, you might find them a little challenging to use, but it’s fun once you get used to them.
Are BitBox wallets returnable?
Yes, you can return the product if it is unused and the packaging is not open within ten days of delivery. BitBox will deduct the original shipping fee and the return shipping fee from the total price and refund the remaining amount.
