Keycard Launches Shell Hardware Wallet Pre-Sale With 100% Open-Source Transparency

Keycard, a hardware wallet company supported by the Status team, has announced the pre-sale launch of Shell, a groundbreaking, fully open-source hardware wallet. Shell is designed with modularity, transparency, and uncompromising security as its core principles, allowing users to manage multiple wallets through interchangeable smart cards known as Keycards, which enhance convenience and safety.

Early supporters have the opportunity to pre-order Shell, which comes bundled with two Keycards at a discounted rate. Additionally, they will gain access to exclusive pre-launch rewards ahead of its global release in October 2025.

Shell aims to redefine the architecture of hardware wallets. Many current hardware wallets claim to be transparent and open source but often rely on closed-source components, exportable keys, or upgradeable secure elements, which can compromise user trust. Shell addresses these issues by setting a new benchmark in wallet architecture.

“Hardware wallets need a complete rethink,” says Guy-Louis Grau, Project Lead at Keycard. “Users rarely realize 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 is powered by Keycard, an EAL6+ certified, open-source smart card that signs transactions and stores keys internally, ensuring they 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 offers 100% open-source transparency, allowing every layer—from chip software to hardware layout and 3D-printable casing—to be verifiable and customizable, exceeding the transparency of leading competitors. Users can store multiple seed phrases or use backup cards safely, even if one card is lost, others remain secure. Shell also supports air-gapped operation, allowing users to sign transactions safely using its integrated camera and QR-code interface without the need for USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi connections. Additionally, it includes duress PIN support to defend against physical coercion and cross-wallet compatibility with major EVM and Bitcoin wallets like MetaMask, Rabby, BackPack, imToken, UniSat, and BlueWallet using QR-based signing. The future-proof design features an easily replaceable battery and upgradable Keycards, ensuring the device adapts as cryptographic standards evolve.

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.