Foundation Passport Passport Core
A plan byFoundation Passport
Foundation Passport is a Bitcoin-only hardware wallet with open-source hardware and software, designed and assembled in the USA. The original Passport Core (100% air-gapped, QR + microSD only, Microchip ATECC608a secure element, $199) has been retired: Foundation's own terms state it is "discontinued and no longer sold". The only device currently on sale is the Passport Prime (€382.95 on the European store, $349 in the US): 3.5" touchscreen, Microchip SAMA5D2 security processor with secure element, QR camera, USB-C data, NFC (backup Keycards) and QuantumLink, its post-quantum encrypted Bluetooth — so it is no longer a purely air-gapped device ("Full Stateless Mode" is announced as coming soon). Beyond Bitcoin it also handles 2FA codes, FIDO keys, encrypted files and KeyOS apps. The official companion app is Envoy.
Worth it if you hold bitcoin only and want open-source hardware and software, audited by third parties.
Avoid it if you also hold altcoins, or want a strictly air-gapped device on a budget: the Prime has Bluetooth, NFC and data USB-C, and costs €382.95.
Passport Core
- Price
- €183
What's included
- DISCONTINUED — no longer sold by Foundation
- Bitcoin-only
- Air-gapped (QR + microSD)
- ATECC608a secure element
- Open-source hardware and firmware
- Envoy app
Data & conditions
| Fund custody | Self-custody (funds in your control) |
|---|---|
| Type | Hardware (cold storage) |
| Source code | Open-source |
| Recovery | Seed phrase 12/24 parole (BIP-39) |
| Bitcoin-only | Yes |
| Supported chains | Bitcoin |
| Price | €383 |
| Secure element | Yes |
| Air-gapped | No |
| Connectivity | QR, USB-C, NFC, Bluetooth |
| Companion app | Envoy |
| Built-in swap | No |
| Built-in staking | No |
| Built-in fiat on-ramp | No |
| Segment | B2C |
| MiCA / License status | Nessuna (hardware wallet self-custody) |
Strengths
- Open-source hardware and software, assembled in the USA and third-party audited (Keylabs); security processor with secure element and tamper protection; Bitcoin-only (no altcoins) reduces attack surface; supports multisig and Taproot.
- Self-custody: funds stay in your wallet — the platform cannot touch them.
- No KYC: usable without identity verification.
- Open-source, verifiable code.
- Self-hostable: you can run your own instance or node.
Weaknesses
- Bitcoin-only (no other assets); expensive (€382.95) now that the $199 Passport Core has been discontinued; the Passport Prime has Bluetooth, NFC and USB-C data, so it is not purely air-gapped; no native microSD slot (a USB-C adapter is required).
- No notable sovereignty drawback documented.
Verdict
Score 4.4/5, very strong profile. In its favour: open-source hardware and software, assembled in the USA and third-party audited (Keylabs); security processor with secure element and tamper protection; Bitcoin-only (no altcoins) reduces attack surface; supports multisig and Taproot. The trade-off to weigh: bitcoin-only (no other assets); expensive (€382.95) now that the $199 Passport Core has been discontinued; the Passport Prime has Bluetooth, NFC and USB-C data, so it is not purely air-gapped; no native microSD slot (a USB-C adapter is required).
On the Sovereignty lens the score is 5.0/5 (outstanding): the strength is privacy & anonymity (5.0/5), while censorship resistance (4.8/5) 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 the Foundation Passport cost?
Foundation currently sells only the Passport Prime: €382.95 on the European store ($349 in the US). The older $199 Passport Core has been discontinued and is no longer sold.
Is the Foundation Passport really open-source?
Yes: both the hardware and the firmware are fully open-source (FOSS), one reason it is favoured by the more code-verification-conscious Bitcoin community.
Does it support cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin?
No. The Passport is a Bitcoin-only device: it does not handle Ethereum, altcoins or tokens. This choice reduces complexity and attack surface. The Passport Prime, however, is more than a wallet: it also stores 2FA codes, FIDO keys and encrypted files.
Sources
- Official service page Open source · Air gapped · Secure element · Companion app · +10 Data verified on Jul 20, 2026
- globenewswire.com Prezzo usd 349 · Disponibilita passport prime Data verified on Jul 20, 2026
- thebitcoinhole.com Assenza slot microsd · Camera qr · Air gapped Data verified on Jul 20, 2026
- bitcoinmagazine.com Prezzo storico · Air gapped · Microsd Data verified on Jun 20, 2026
Show 1 more source
- thecryptomerchant.com Prezzo passport core · Bitcoin only · Connettivita · Secure element Data verified on Jun 20, 2026
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