Crypto continues to evolve quickly these days. With new regulations, changes in the market, and Bitcoin’s ever-changing volatility impacting the crypto marketplace.
The decisions you make today, on investing and storing your crypto, can impact the security of your digital assets.
Picking the right crypto wallet for you has never been more important.
With so many options out there, making the right choice for you might seem overwhelming.
At Material Bitcoin, we understand the crucial need for securing your crypto. As cyber threats are on the rise, high-end cold wallet solutions are a must.
In this Arculus Wallet review, we will explore the key features of Arculus Wallet, including its app and security. Additionally, we will compare it to other cold storage competitors and highlight some alternatives.
Arculus Wallet Review: Is It a Secure Cold Storage Solution?
The Arculus Cold Storage Wallet claims to be a “shield” against online vulnerabilities by prioritizing the safety of your digital assets, including cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), all within its Web3 security blockchain.
The Arculus wallet is a cold storage wallet that uses NFC technology for mobile integration as a metal “key card”.
But is Arculus Wallet safe? And how does it compare to other cold wallets in terms of security and usability?
Key Features of the Arculus Cold Storage Wallet:
1️⃣Security: Utilizing a three-factor authentication system…yes, you heard right, 3!
Arculus combines biometric verification (face recognition or fingerprint), with a PIN and your private keys stored on the Arculus key card. This trifecta of security features is set to protect your crypto.
Something worth noting is the key card feature itself. The metal key card stores your private keys and rather than a USB or Bluetooth connection like other hardware wallets, the Arculus key card interacts with your mobile using NFC technology.
2️⃣Mobile App: The Arculus wallet app is where you manage your cryptocurrencies.
It’s user-friendly, and straightforward while offering quick access.
3️⃣Variety of Cryptocurrency Support: Any savvy investor knows the importance of diversifying their crypto portfolio and the Arculus Wallet allows users to manage over 10,000 digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, XRP, Litecoin, and many others.
4️⃣Recovery Options: As your private keys are stored on the metal key card, if you lose that card, you could potentially stand to lose everything.
Using a backup recovery wallet is vital for regaining access to your crypto if your wallet is stolen or compromised.
5️⃣No Digital Components Needed: The Arculus Wallet key card functions without the need for a battery or other electronic components.
This means that users don’t need to worry about charging a device or other technical failures.
Arculus Wallet Features vs Other Wallets
🔓Keyless Access: Uses a three-factor authentication system with NFC technology. Many competitors don’t offer this advantage. Arculus vs Tangem explores these features further.
📱Mobile Integration: Functions through an app. True cold storage, like Material Bitcoin, never connects or manages assets online.
🪙Multi-Currency Support: Supports a range of cryptocurrencies. Is not exclusive to one cryptocurrency.
⚖️Usability Comparison: While Arculus Wallet provides a sleek design, great for on-the-go management, other cold wallets such as Material Bitcoin offer higher offline security.
Using the Arculus Wallet App
The Arculus Wallet App is designed for what we like to call “modern crypto users” because it blends traditional features and functionality with an intuitive user experience. What we mean, is that the Arculus App is considered a crypto “ecosystem”, giving you the power and ability to send, receive and trade crypto quickly and easily from your smartphone.
The app is available for both Android and iOS.
Arculus Mobile App vs Other Crypto Apps
📱 User Experience: The Arculus app has a modern interface.
⚡ Transaction Execution: Speed and efficiency vary, with some users reporting slower transaction times compared to competitors.
🔐 Security Risks: As a mobile-dependent wallet, Arculus is more vulnerable to device-level threats than true cold wallets that never connect to the internet.
Fees
The Arculus Wallet costs $99, which is a reasonable upfront cost for hardware storage compared to others like Trezor Model T or Ledger Nano X.
There are no additional fees for sending or receiving crypto from Arculus, but some users, like mvaudrien on Reddit, point out that you still get charged transaction fees from the blockchain itself. And of course, these fees can fluctuate based on the market value of the blockchain.
Arculus Wallet Price vs Other Crypto Wallets
| Wallet | Price |
|---|---|
| Arculus Wallet | $99.00 |
| Tangem Wallet | $49.41 2-card set $62.91 3-card set $144 2-card set + ring |
| Cypherock X1 | $149 |
| Material Bitcoin | $89 |
Setting Up Your Arculus Wallet
Luckily, the setup is pretty straightforward and shouldn’t scare off any new users.
Download the App
Pair Your Key Card with the App
- You need to put your card on a flat surface and align your phone correctly to the card (depending on the type of phone you have, the placement of the card is different. See these instructions for further clarification). Now, follow the setup steps indicated within the app.
Create Your 6-Digit PIN
Safeguard Your Recovery Phrase
- This recovery phrase can be 12 or 24 words. You can either write it down on paper or use a safer engravement plate, like the Material DIY for indestructible seed phrase storage.
Backup Your Recovery Phrase
- The app will then generate a 12-word backup recovery phrase. This is the only way to recover your wallet if you lose or forget your previous PIN or seed phrase.
Congratulations! You are now ready to send, receive, and trade crypto! Choose your cryptocurrencies from the app’s “dashboard” and connect your NFT gallery.
Arculus Wallet Setup vs Other Wallets
| Wallet | Setup Process |
|---|---|
| Arculus Wallet | Download the mobile app, activate the key card, and sync with your crypto. |
| Material Bitcoin | Fully offline, no app required,100% air-gapped security. |
| Ledger/Trezor | Connect the device to a computer or mobile app, and follow set-up and pairing instructions. |
Safety, Security, and Hacking Scandal
The Arculus Wallet has been designed to emphasize the security and safety of your digital assets.
Using three-factor authentification, PIN, recovery phrase, and backup recovery phrases, Arculus seems to have thought of everything to help users feel secure.
Security Features of Arculus Wallet
| Air-Gapped Protection |
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| Encryption Strength |
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| Hacking Risks |
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| Recovery Process |
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But, this doesn’t mean that the wallet has been without issue.
Far from it.
User Feedback and Concerns
There have been a few notable hacking incidents with the Arculus Wallet and even some user complaints about the wallet’s functionality. For example, this Amazon user has purchased multiple Arculus Wallets, all with defects, resulting in them being unusable!
Other users, like this irritated Reddit commentator, share their experience of being locked out of their wallet, and not being able to access their crypto due to “negligence” from Arculus during the generation of the seed phrase and backup recovery phrases.
The wallet also experienced a security breach that led to unauthorized access to user funds and assets. This hacking scandal was done by a phishing email sent to Arculus Wallet users, asking them to update the Firmware of their wallet. Reddit user, dontpatronizemebro, shares the email they received with this phishing attempt.
Unfortunately, this raises an even bigger question…is Arculus selling user information, like email addresses? How would these scammers even know the email addresses of Arculus Wallet users otherwise?
Although the Arculus Wallet offers some great features, these user experiences are a big reminder of how vulnerable your crypto can be. On the other hand, other hardware wallets, like Material Bitcoin, have proven to be virtually hack-proof. When electronic components are eliminated, you stand a better chance of storing your crypto long-term safely.
With Material Bitcoin, you get a physical wallet that keeps you offline.
Alternative Options in Cold Wallet Storage
When it comes to keeping your crypto offline, you have multiple options, but the key question to ask yourself is:
“What are my long-term goals with my crypto?”
If security and long-term storage are your priorities, Material Bitcoin is one of the most reliable choices.
Material Bitcoin provides offline, hacker-proof crypto security by engraving your BTC, Ether, and USDT keys onto a fireproof, waterproof, and shockproof metal plate.
In the last year alone, crypto losses have added up to over $3 billion, primarily from online wallets and exchanges.
To combat these risks, we recommend keeping only small amounts in exchanges and apps for trading and daily transactions while moving the bulk of your crypto to a cold storage wallet like Material Bitcoin for long-term hodl.
For the upcoming year, all signs are pointing to crypto growing and gaining more power, so make sure that you don’t lose out and protect your crypto now!
Final Verdict
| ✅ Pros of Arculus Wallet | ❌ Cons of Arculus Wallet |
|---|---|
| Three-Factor Authentication – Uses biometric verification, PIN, and an NFC key card for added security. | Relies on a Mobile App – Requires app integration, increasing exposure to online threats. |
| No Digital Components – The key card does not require charging, making it more durable. | Recovery Risks – Losing the key card without a secure backup will result in a total loss of funds. |
| User-Friendly App – Easy to navigate for beginners. | Security Concerns – Past phishing scams and speculation about leaked user data raise privacy concerns. |
| Multi-Currency Support – Compatible with over 10,000 cryptocurrencies and NFTs. | Slower Transaction Execution – Some users report delays in transaction processing compared to competitors. |
The Arculus Wallet is a convenient and secure option for crypto storage, especially for users who are looking for mobile accessibility with a physical NFC key card.
However, keep in mind that Arculus is not a fully offline cold wallet, making it more vulnerable to device-level threats and phishing attacks.
For users prioritizing long-term, hacker-proof storage, a fully offline cold wallet like Material Bitcoin provides a safer alternative.
FAQ
Is the Arculus wallet worth it?
- Arculus offers security and simplicity, but for those looking for top-notch security, Material Bitcoin comes up as a superior choice for your crypto’s protection.
What crypto does the Arculus wallet support?
- Arculus supports many major cryptocurrencies, about 10,000 of them, and other NFTs.
How secure is Arculus?
- Arculus has three-factor authentication and a separate key card to help keep your crypto safe. But, there are threats including phishing scams for app and card updates.
How does the Arculus wallet work?
- Arculus combines a mobile app with a key card for secure transactions.
What if I lose my Arculus Wallet?
- Arculus has a recovery process through a 12-word recovery phrase. But be careful with where you store the recovery seed phrase! If you misplace it or it gets destroyed, you can stand to lose it all. With Material Bitcoin, on the other hand, you can engrave your recovery phrases on an indestructible metal plate for ultimate safekeeping!
How does Arculus integrate with DeFi and NFTs?
- By approving the connection through the App, you can integrate different blockchain technologies. You can also request DApps to send connection requests to your Arculus Wallet App. But keep in mind, that the more online interactions you do, the more suspectable you are to hacking.
How does Arculus handle privacy and data protection?
- Arculus proclaims that protection and safety are at the forefront of their priorities, but past phishing scams beg to ask where online scammers are getting their information from. User emails and other private information have been exposed, leading Arculus Wallet users to be locked out of their wallets.
Are there any geographical restrictions on using Arculus Wallet?
- Generally, the Arculus Wallet is designed to be used worldwide, but the availability of certain features or support for specific cryptocurrencies might vary due to local regulations and compliance requirements. Make sure to check your country’s rules and regulations on cryptocurrencies.
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