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This is a specialized chip, often used in bank cards, designed to protect secrets—your private keys—from hackers. Look for wallets with an EAL5 or EAL6+ rated secure element. The higher the rating, the more robust the security. The top-tier chips, like EAL6, provide substantial protection for high-value assets.
2. Transparent Backup Options
A trustworthy cold wallet should generate a seed phrase (also called a recovery phrase)—a master key to all your crypto assets. This phrase should be easily writeable and storable in a safe location, as losing it means losing access forever. Wallets that do not provide seed phrases rely solely on proprietary technology, which is risky. Remember, not your keys, not your crypto.