Best Accessories for Seed Phrase Backup in 2024

Introduction

Crypto steel plates, also known as crypto backup plates or metal recovery seeds, are physical devices used to securely store the recovery seed or mnemonic phrase of a cryptocurrency wallet. A recovery seed is a sequence of words that serves as a backup of a cryptocurrency wallet’s private keys, allowing users to recover their funds in case their digital wallet is lost, stolen, or becomes inaccessible.

Crypto steel plates are typically made from durable materials, such as stainless steel or titanium, that can withstand extreme conditions like fire, water damage, and physical impact. Users write down their recovery seed on these plates, which usually have engraved or stamped spaces for each word in the seed. This provides a highly reliable and offline method of storing the sensitive information required to access and control cryptocurrency holdings.

By using crypto steel plates, users can mitigate the risks associated with relying solely on digital storage methods, which can be vulnerable to hacking, data loss, or technological failures. Storing recovery seeds on these plates adds an extra layer of security by creating a physical backup that is less susceptible to online threats.

Key characteristics

There are several characteristics that are typically associated with crypto seed recovery plates:

• Durability: Crypto seed backup plates are usually made from durable and corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel or titanium. This ensures that the seed phrase remains protected from physical damage, moisture, and environmental factors over an extended period.
• Resistance to Environmental Conditions: These plates are designed to withstand various environmental conditions, including temperature fluctuations, humidity, and exposure to water. This protection helps maintain the integrity of the seed phrase even if the plates are subjected to adverse situations.
• Tamper-Proof: High-quality crypto seed backup plates often come with tamper-proof features. This can include sealing mechanisms or unique designs that make it evident if someone has attempted to open or manipulate the plate.
• Fireproof and Heat Resistant: Some plates are designed to be fireproof and heat resistant, providing an extra layer of protection in case of fires or extreme heat.
• Compact and Portable: Crypto seed backup plates are typically small and lightweight, making them easy to store and transport. Some plates may come with protective sleeves or cases for additional security and convenience.
• Compatibility: These plates are compatible with different types of cryptocurrency seed phrases, as the standard for generating seed phrases (i.e. BIP-39) is commonly used across various cryptocurrency wallets.

Types of products

Capsule

A cylinder with a central rod that holds metal letters to store your seed phrase or passphrase. Very nice form factor, easy to store and transport.

Cassette

A metal cassette that holds tiny metal plates with pre-punched letters – one character per plate. Ideal to store BIP-39 seed phrases. Can not hold a custom passphrase. Bigger than a capsule, but slimmer and easier to stack.

Plates

A product where you stamp information into plates. Either as pre-defined numbers, or directly as characters. Ideal for BIP-39 seed phrases. Can not hold a custom passphrase. Bigger than a capsule, but slimmer and easier to stack.

Best products

There is a multitude of products and services to safely store and protect your crypto wallet seed phrase. Personally we can recommend the following products.

Use caution: When choosing a crypto seed backup plate, it’s important to select a reputable vendor known for producing high-quality, secure products. Look for customer reviews and recommendations from trusted sources.

Seed phrase backup best practices

Remember that the security of your seed phrase is of utmost importance, as it provides access to your cryptocurrency holdings. Always follow best practices, such as:

• Back Up Securely: Use multiple methods for backing up your seed phrase, and store backups in different physical locations.
• Protect from Physical Damage: Use materials that can withstand fire, water, and other potential damage.
• Keep It Private: Do not share your seed phrase with anyone. Keep it offline and away from digital devices.
• Regularly Review and Update: Check on your backup periodically to ensure it’s still readable and hasn’t been compromised.