Paper Wallets
This feature creates a new random private key, completely unrelated to your seed words, and saves the deposit address and private key (WIF format) into a text file on MicroSD. That file is a ready to use paper wallet!
You may use your dice rolls as an entropy source instead of the COLDCARD®'s TRNGs (true random number generators).
A QR code will be inside the text file, and if you provide a special PDF-like template file (example in paperwallet.pdf), then it will superimpose the QR codes into the template, and save the resulting ready-to-print PDF to MicroSD.
CAUTION: Paper wallets carry MANY RISKS and should only be used for SMALL AMOUNTS.
Paper wallets are vulnerable to physical theft, loss, or damage (e.g., fire, water). Additionally, they promote address re-use, and lack the redundancy of seed-based backups. Use them only for small amounts and store securely. For safer alternatives:
- Gifting: Use an OPENDIME or SATSCARD for secure, physical Bitcoin transfers.
- Long-Term Storage: Use a COLDCARD with a BIP-39 seed stamped to metal, and stored securely.
Settings and Operation#
The following settings can be adjusted in the Paper Wallets menu to customize your wallet creation process. Once you understand what the settings do, you can jump to the section: Create a Paper Wallet.
Don't make PDF#
The first menu item, Don't make PDF, allows you to select a PDF template from the MicroSD. Templates can be created using our open-source tool called Templator, or you may find existing templates shared in that project.
You can easily design your own paper wallet templates, for your own personal and seasonal needs, by giving that program a PDF to use as background, and some information about where you want the QR and text to be inserted.
To use a PDF template, have it saved to the MicroSD before beginning and select Don't make PDF. Then pick your template filename from the list. The menu will now show Making PDF.
If you do not intend to use a PDF template, this menu item can be skipped.
Classic P2PKH#
The second menu item, Classic P2PKH, lets you know what type of address will be created. Selecting this menu item allows you to choose between classic Base58 Bitcoin payment addresses (Classic P2PKH, starts with 1) or Segwit/Bech32 addresses (Segwit P2WPKH, starts with bc1).
Use Dice#
The third choice, Use Dice, starts the process to pick a wallet using dice rolls. Be sure to use enough rolls, and never less than 99. When you are done with the rolls, press ✔/ENTER and the wallet is created and saved immediately.
No Shortcuts on Dice Rolls!
The strength of your private key depends on the minimum number of dice rolls being met, and that the die is actually rolled each time. You cannot fabricate dice rolls without compromising security, possibly resulting in stolen funds!
The only way to speed up this process is to use multiple dice to limit rolls. You can get a set of 100 small dice at the Coinkite Store.
GENERATE WALLET#
Choose the GENERATE WALLET item to make the wallet using the COLDCARD's TRNGs. A text file is created and saved to the MicroSD. It will be named for the payment address (either base58 or bech32 format: <address>.txt), and contains the private key and payment address in a number of forms for ease of use.
If you are using a PDF template, the same text notes (<address>-note.txt) are saved alongside the new PDF file (<address>.pdf).
Additionally, the COLDCARD will produce a signature file (<address>.sig) which will also be named for the payment address. For more information, see: Signed Exports.
You can create as many wallets as you wish before leaving this menu. Each is saved to the MicroSD as you go along.
Create a Paper Wallet#
Use the dropdown below to see step-by-step instructions for creating paper wallets on your COLDCARD.
Steps to Create a Paper Wallet
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Ensure that a MicroSD is inserted into the COLDCARD. If you intend to make a PDF, have the template saved to the MicroSD card.
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From the Main Menu of the COLDCARD, navigate to:
Advanced/Tools > Paper Wallets. Read the information and tap ✔/ENTER to get to thePaper Walletsmenu.
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If you are making a PDF from a template, select
Don't make PDF. Then choose your PDF template from the list and hit ✔/ENTER.This step can be skipped if you are not making a PDF.
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Next decide what address type you would like to use. The default setting is
Classic P2PKH(starts with1). To useClassic P2PKH, you don't have to do anything.If you would like to use
Segwit P2WPKH(starts withbc1), selectClassic P2PKHfrom thePaper Walletsmenu. Then chooseSegwit P2WPKHand press ✔/ENTER.
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The last step is to pick your entropy source:
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Dice Rolls: Pick
Use Dicefrom thePaper Walletsmenu. Then make at least 99 rolls using dice, and enter them each in the COLDCARD. After you have entered your dice rolls, tap ✔/ENTER to create the wallet and save it to the MicroSD.No Shortcuts on Dice Rolls!
The strength of your private key depends on the minimum number of dice rolls being met, and that the die is actually rolled each time. You cannot fabricate dice rolls without compromising security, possibly resulting in stolen funds!
The only way to speed up this process is to use multiple dice to limit rolls. You can get a set of 100 small dice at the Coinkite Store.
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COLDCARD TRNGs: Select
GENERATE WALLETfrom thePaper Walletsmenu. The paper wallet is created and saved to the MicroSD.
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You have successfully created a paper wallet! If you wish to create more paper wallets, adjust any settings and repeat Step 5 as many times as you'd like.
Example Wallet#
Here's an example of the wallet file, saved in this case into: 13ZcQHhwgu2mrpn54JVLn7x9xgDtGdf14d.txt.
Coldcard Generated Paper Wallet
Deposit address:
13ZcQHhwgu2mrpn54JVLn7x9xgDtGdf14d
Private key (WIF=Wallet Import Format):
L3ZeFQJAgAfmPeNEZwyriuh1djs8Lq6fj9psjafBEjmY564SBBmg
Private key (Hex, 32 bytes):
bd473a280dd7b2c418216282e2adeb2a6dcc1c90e448f90f5eb539b32875db76
Bitcoin Core command:
bitcoin-cli importmulti '[{"desc":
"pkh(L3ZeFQJAgAfmPeNEZwyriuh1djs8Lq6fj9psjafBEjmY564SBBmg)#kynnrk4r",
"timestamp": 1574277000}]'
# OR (more compatible, but slower)
bitcoin-cli importprivkey "L3ZeFQJAgAfmPeNEZwyriuh1djs8Lq6fj9psjafBEjmY564SBBmg"
--- QR Codes --- (requires UTF-8, unicode, white background)
Deposit address:
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13ZcQHhwgu2mrpn54JVLn7x9xgDtGdf14d
Private key:
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L3ZeFQJAgAfmPeNEZwyriuh1djs8Lq6fj9psjafBEjmY564SBBmg