Hardware wallets

SeedSigner

Build-it-yourself signing device from a Raspberry Pi Zero without WiFi and a camera. It stores nothing: you scan your seed as a QR code every time.

Official SeedSigner websiteunder $50 in parts (DIY)

What is SeedSigner?

SeedSigner is a do-it-yourself Bitcoin signing device. The project describes it as a volunteer effort: its README says it is created and maintained by volunteers, with no corporation and no profit motive. You build it from inexpensive parts, usually under $50 according to the project, around a Raspberry Pi Zero with a small screen and a camera. It does not keep your seed: it holds it in memory only while powered on. It receives data only by scanning QR codes and sends data only by showing QR codes. It is a signer, so you use it together with wallet software on a phone or computer.

Key facts

Type
Hardware
Made by
Open-source community project
Works with
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Keys
You hold the keys
Bitcoin-only
Yes
Source code
Open source
Lightning
No
Multisig
Yes
Air-gapped
Yes, signs without a cable connection
Stateless
Yes, stores no keys between uses
Experience
Advanced
Price
under $50 in parts (DIY)

Details last checked on the maker's website: . How we compare

Good for

  • Multisig setups where each key uses a different, cheap device
  • People who do not want to trust any hardware vendor

Watch out

  • You assemble it and flash the software yourself
  • Stateless: without your seed backup at hand, the device cannot sign

SeedSigner features

Stateless. SeedSigner temporarily stores seeds in memory while it is powered, and the README says all memory is wiped when power is removed. You load the seed each time, for example by entering the words, by scanning a SeedQR, or by creating a new one with camera-based entropy. BIP39 passphrase support is listed. Air-gapped by QR codes. The device reads data only with its camera and sends data only on its screen. The project recommends the Raspberry Pi Zero v1.3, which has no WiFi or Bluetooth hardware. The README says other Pi models such as the Zero W and 2W also work, but those do have wireless radios. Signing and multisig. The README describes an in-depth transaction (PSBT) check before signing and single-sig and multisig xpub export. It lists Taproot, native segwit, nested segwit and legacy script types. Works with QR-capable wallet software. The README lists Sparrow, Nunchuk, Keeper, BlueWallet and Specter Desktop, and says any Bitcoin wallet software that supports QR codes can be used. You assemble it. The README calls for a Raspberry Pi Zero, a 240x240 Waveshare screen and a Pi Zero-compatible camera. It warns that Waveshare makes several similar boards that are not compatible, so buy exactly the listed screen.

Security and custody

The project describes itself as open source, with the code on GitHub. The README states that images distributed on GitHub have been reproducible since version 0.7.0, so anyone can check that a released image is byte-for-byte the same as one built from source. It requires you to verify the GPG signature and the SHA-256 hash before opening the image, and to stop if the signature is bad. It also notes that using a prepared image means placing trust in the people who prepared it, and that signature checks only prove as much as the honesty of whoever first published the key. Because the device is stateless, keep your seed backup safe and offline, since the device cannot sign without it.

SeedSigner alternatives

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SeedSigner FAQ

Do I have to build SeedSigner myself?

The project is described as a do-it-yourself device. The README lists the parts you need, such as a Raspberry Pi Zero, a 240x240 screen and a camera, and the software image must be flashed and verified by you.

Does SeedSigner store my seed?

No. According to the README, it holds seeds in memory only while powered, and memory is wiped when power is removed. Keep your own backup of the seed.

Which wallets work with SeedSigner?

The README lists Sparrow, Nunchuk, Keeper, BlueWallet and Specter Desktop, and says any Bitcoin wallet software that supports QR codes can be used.

Is SeedSigner really air-gapped?

With the Raspberry Pi Zero v1.3 the project recommends, the board has no WiFi or Bluetooth hardware, and data moves only through QR codes read by the camera and shown on the screen. Other Pi models that the README allows have wireless hardware.

Guides

Sources

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