BC Vault BC Vault Gunmetal
A plan byBC Vault
BC Vault, made by Slovenia's Real Security, is a hardware wallet that drops the classic seed-phrase model: private keys live in ferroelectric memory (FRAM) on the device and backups are made through encrypted files (on microSD or QR), not 12/24 words. Each device holds multiple independent wallets, each with its own PIN and password, and claims very broad multi-asset support (Bitcoin, Ethereum, ERC-20, NFTs and more). It connects to a computer over USB-C with manual transaction approval on the OLED screen. The range starts with the basic BC Vault ONE (~€156) up to the metal Quicksilver and Gunmetal editions (~€270). Firmware is not open-source: its security model must be taken on trust rather than verified in the code.
BC Vault Gunmetal
- Price
- €270
What's included
- Metal body (gunmetal finish)
- USB-C
- Same features as the ONE
Data & conditions
| Fund custody | Self-custody (funds in your control) |
|---|---|
| Type | Hardware (cold storage) |
| Source code | Closed-source |
| Recovery | Nessuna seed phrase: backup cifrato su microSD/QR (formato proprietario) |
| Bitcoin-only | No |
| Supported chains | Bitcoin, Ethereum, ERC-20 |
| Price | €156 |
| Secure element | No |
| Air-gapped | No |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Built-in swap | No |
| Built-in staking | No |
| Segment | B2C |
| MiCA / License status | Nessuna (hardware wallet self-custody) |
Strengths
- No seed phrase: keys in FRAM with encrypted backups (microSD/QR); multiple independent wallets per device; broad multi-asset support; EU-based company (Slovenia).
- Self-custody: funds stay in your wallet — the platform cannot touch them.
- No KYC: usable without identity verification.
- Self-hostable: you can run your own instance or node.
Weaknesses
- Closed-source firmware; the lack of a standard BIP-39 seed ties recovery to the proprietary backup format; USB connection, not air-gapped; no certified secure element declared.
- Closed source: no way to verify what it does with wallet and data.
Verdict
Score 4.0/5, solid profile. In its favour: no seed phrase: keys in FRAM with encrypted backups (microSD/QR); multiple independent wallets per device; broad multi-asset support; EU-based company (Slovenia). The trade-off to weigh: closed-source firmware; the lack of a standard BIP-39 seed ties recovery to the proprietary backup format; USB connection, not air-gapped; no certified secure element declared.
On the Sovereignty lens the score is 3.7/5 (solid): the strength is fund control (5.0/5), while trustless / auditability (0.0/5) is the weak link.
Promp's editorial rating based on real fees and net annual cost. Promp reviews third-party products independently.
"Sovereignty" rating: score computed on privacy/anonymity (30%), fund control (20%), censorship resistance (20%), trustless/auditability (20%) and costs (10%). Same data, different weights.
FAQ
How much does a BC Vault cost?
The basic BC Vault ONE (plastic) starts at about €156 (€156.06 on the official store). The metal Quicksilver and Gunmetal editions cost about €270 (€269.99). Prices in euros from the Real Security store, August 2026.
Does BC Vault use a seed phrase?
No: that is its defining feature. Private keys are stored in ferroelectric memory (FRAM) and backup is done with encrypted files on microSD or QR, not 12/24 BIP-39 words. This removes the paper seed but ties recovery to the device's proprietary backup format.
Is BC Vault open source?
No: the firmware is not published as open-source. Its security model must therefore be taken on trust in the company and cannot be verified by reading the code. That is why we classify it as closed-source.
Sources
- Official service page Fram · No seed · Multi asset · Azienda · +2 Data verified on Aug 3, 2026