Metal Seed Phrase Storage in 2026: Cryptosteel and the Metal Backup Landscape

Seed phrase is not an ordinary password, but a digital key to everything you own in the form of your digital assets. Losing it means the irreversible loss of funds, which is why protecting this string of words is more important than securing the wallet itself. Traditional data carriers such as paper or electronics are poorly resistant to external factors – they can burn, get wet, or suffer over time digital degradation. Data stored in the cloud, on the other hand, becomes a target for cybercriminals. This is why metal backups have become the gold standard of highest security. These are fully analog, offline solutions which, thanks to the physical durability of steel, form the most reliable and final line of defense against the passage of time and unforeseen adverse events.

Metal backup is the last line of defense for access to digital assets, cryptocurrencies, and other sensitive data. If you’d like to explore this topic further, read Cole’s article: Cryptosteel: More Than a Seed Phrase Backup – Top Use Cases.

Types of backups

The market offers various backup solutions, ranging from “durable” laminated paper copies, “fireproof” pouches, and chip cards, to different forms of metal storage: engraving, stamping, etching words or bits into prepared grids, or QR codes. These solutions differ not only in material durability, but also in ease of execution and susceptibility to errors.

Metal backups are widely regarded as the safest ultimate backup, as their physical durability and analog nature directly address the core problems of backup storage. For more on this topic, see our Hardware Does Not Last Forever, but Metal Does article.

What to consider when choosing your backup for seeds and passwords

Before choosing a method and format for storing seed phrases and passwords, it is worth analyzing what features a truly secure backup should have:

• It should be made of a material resistant to physical destruction (fireproof, corrosion-resistant, resistant to mechanical and electromagnetic damage, etc.).
  
• It should be analog and offline – independent of electricity and internet access, resistant to hacking, hardware failure, and bit rot (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_degradation).
  
• It should be easy to create — without requiring physical strength, specialized skills, or tools, allowing any average person to create and, if needed, correct it. So as not to discourage making a backup in the first place.
  
• It should be compatible with standard, widely used and well-documented procedures and technologies, so that it can be read even after many years (unlike DIY or non-standard encryption methods). Characters should be in a simple, standard font, so they remain identifiable even with significant damage (e.g., corrosion debris). Importantly, characters should be stamped, not laser engraved – stamping changes the crystalline structure of metal, allowing recovery even after severe surface damage, while laser engraving is purely superficial.
  

Stamped Tiles Included in Cryptosteel Products

• It should be discreet – easy to hide or transport if necessary (e.g for geographical distribution https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/data_backup_options.pdf ).
  
• It should protect data from being tampered or read by unauthorized persons – a seed phrase or password does not need to be physically stolen along with the medium; memorization or a photo is enough. This risk should be mitigated (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil_maid_attack).
  

User experience – setting up your backup

Let’s start with how to create a metal backup. Online you will find many DIY ideas: engraving metal plates, electrochemical etching, engraving or stamping words onto washers. When choosing DIY, assess whether you have the tools and skills to produce a durable, high-quality solution, as well as access to clean, durable metals (with appropriate hardness, elasticity, and chemical and thermal resistance). Remember that engraving is less durable than stamping – in the event of fire or flooding, the surface layer is destroyed first, along with the inscription. Engraving high-quality stainless steel is difficult and requires skill and proper tools. Stamping with punches is also difficult, requires force and precision, and results are often inconsistent – strikes may vary in strength or the tool may slip. Any error requires recreating the entire backup and destroying the failed copy. The whole process is complex, time-consuming, noisy (which compromises discretion and privacy), and does not guarantee a uniform, durable result.

Punching on metal may seem easy, but it takes skill and strength to achieve a satisfying result.

The market also offers many ready-made backup solutions, some with pre-made characters to assemble. If considering devices for manual stamping into steel (such as Cryptotag, Seedor, Stamp Seed), remember that the process is difficult, risky and loud.
We recommend choosing something easier to use. Cryptosteel backups are toolless and require no technical skills beyond threading beads onto a string. Ready made characters tiles are deeply stamped using a hydraulic press – structurally embedded in steel, in a standard font and with uniform precision. This guarantees readability even after long periods or surface damage – durability unattainable in DIY solutions or with surface engraving.
Additionally, a Cryptosteel backup can be easily corrected or reset and reused for another password. With stamped or engraved solutions, the entire backup must be physically destroyed. Otherwise, even fragments can be read and linked to a specific private key.

The value of a backup lies in the information it stores – someone can steal a password without taking the physical medium. Therefore, an important advantage of metal backups is protection against unauthorized observation. Plate-style backups are easier to read but also easier to photograph or scan at airport security. Characters stacked inside a Cryptosteel capsule prevent quick unauthorized reading.

Devices from the Seed12, Seed24, and Cassette series are equipped with tamper-evident seals with security certification and unique serial numbers – the capsule or cassette cannot be opened without destroying the seal.

CryptoSteel Seed24 and Seed12 with Tamper-Evident Seals Attached

Beware of stickers used by some manufacturers (Billfodl, Trezor, Seedor) are far less durable and easier to replace, failing to meet security requirements. (https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/976504) 

Natural disasters and elements

Natural disasters can physically destroy your backup.

Fire

Fire is usually the first threat considered. House fires can reach 800–900°C, sometimes higher, due to burning plastics, electronics, and construction materials releasing explosive gases. Most materials fail at these temperatures. While manufacturers often declare resistance above these limits, such claims are not always confirmed by destructive tests. Melting point alone is not a reliable indicator; exposure time matters greatly. Thin plates melt faster, surfaces corrode, paint or rivets burn away, and the backup may be lost.
Jason Lopp’s heat stress test clearly shows this – the Ellipal cassette metal backup melted after high-temperature exposure.

Source: The Ellipal cassette metal backup melted after high-temperature exposure – https://jlopp.github.io/metal-bitcoin-storage-reviews/reviews/ellipal-mnemonic-metal

The Cryptosteel Seed capsule is made from high-quality stainless steel; characters are deeply stamped and remain readable even after severe surface damage – a key advantage of stamping over engraving.
The Cryptosteel backup is hidden inside a thick, hermetic steel capsule, providing additional protection from direct fire exposure. Laboratory tests show resistance of the Cryptosteel Capsule to over one hour at 1350°C/ 2461°F.

Water and corrosion

Water and corrosion are another threat. Floods, earthquakes, or building collapses can expose your belongings to liquids that catalyze destructive chemical processes. High-purity stainless steel is chemically inert and does not react with most substances. The hermetic capsule further protects the backup from environmental exposure.

Mechanical damage

Mechanical damage is also critical. With pre-engraved character solutions, maintaining character order is essential. The Cryptosteel Seed Metal Backup features a massive, structurally rigid steel shell. Inside, high-quality stamped characters are stacked on a more elastic steel core and secured with durable cotter pins – a patented design offering exceptional resistance to deformation and mechanical damage.

The SEED capsule’s shape allows easy concealment within building structures – simply drill a 17 mm hole in a wall or ceiling and insert the backup. We do not recommend hiding backups in movable items like furniture, books, or ornaments, as these can be taken, discarded, or sold. During natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes, a structural hiding place is far safer.
For transport, the cylindrical shape is easy to conceal, and during inspections the password cannot be quickly or easily read or photographed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are metal seed phrase storage devices worth it?

Yes. They offer the highest level of durability and security, protecting your seed phrase from fire, water, corrosion, hardware failure, and digital attacks.

Are metal backups only for seed phrases?

No. They can also securely store passwords, recovery codes, API keys, and other sensitive information.

Can I change or correct the stored characters after initial setup?

Yes, with the Seed® modular metal backup the characters can be corrected, updated, or completely reset without destroying the device.

Could someone easily peek at my seed phrase – for example by taking a quick photo?

Not easily. The logic of storing the characters in the Seed® metal backup prevents quick visual access and make unauthorized reading or photographing much harder.

What are the best ways to store a crypto wallet seed phrase?

Offline, in a durable metal backup made from high-quality stainless steel, secured against tampering, stored discreetly and protected against physical and environmental damage.