Keycard Launches Shell Hardware Wallet Pre-Sale in Zug

Keycard, a hardware wallet company backed by the Status team, has announced the pre-sale launch of Shell, a revolutionary, fully open-source hardware wallet. The pre-sale, which began on April 23rd, 2025, in Zug, Switzerland, offers early supporters the opportunity to pre-order Shell bundled with two Keycards at a discounted rate. This bundle also includes access to exclusive pre-launch rewards ahead of its global release in October 2025.

Shell is designed with modularity, transparency, and uncompromising security at its core. It enables users to seamlessly manage multiple wallets through interchangeable smart cards—called Keycards—for enhanced convenience and safety. Unlike many current hardware wallets that claim to be transparent and open source but rely on closed-source components or upgradeable secure elements, Shell sets a new benchmark in wallet architecture.

Guy-Louis Grau, Project Lead at Keycard, emphasizes the need for a complete rethink in hardware wallet design. He points out that most hardware wallets allow private keys to be exported outside secure elements or rely on upgradable secure elements, both of which compromise the integrity and transparency of the device. Shell, powered by Keycard, an EAL6+ certified, open-source smart card, ensures that keys are stored internally and never leave secure hardware. The firmware of Keycard is not upgradable by design, providing long-term assurance that the device behavior will never change post-manufacture.

Shell is designed for those who demand verifiable control over their hardware and digital assets. It is 100% open source, with every layer—from chip software to hardware layout and 3D-printable casing—verifiable and customizable. Users can store multiple seed phrases or use backup cards safely, even if one card is lost, others remain secure. The air-gapped operation allows users to sign transactions safely using Shell’s integrated camera and QR-code interface, without the need for USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi connections. Additionally, Shell supports duress PIN, cross-wallet compatibility with major EVM and Bitcoin wallets, and a future-proof design with easily replaceable batteries and upgradable Keycards.

Customers who join the pre-sale will receive a discounted Shell bundle with two Keycards and Status Network KARMA rewards for participating in the growing ecosystem. To reserve a Shell wallet and secure pre-launch rewards, users can join the pre-launch at the official website.

Keycard is a subsidiary of Status, a pioneer in the crypto industry known for its trusted products like the Status mobile wallet. With a focus on security, privacy, and user empowerment, Keycard continues to build hardware solutions that meet the evolving needs of the global crypto community. Users can visit the official website for more information.