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Cryptocurrencies

Keevo Hardware Wallet Review: How Does Paperless Recovery Work & Is It Safe?

Keevo is a hardware crypto wallet developed by a San Francisco-based Fintech Company – BitKey Technologies Inc. And according to its developers, Keevo has its focus set on providing users with a hardware wallet that offers the right balance between security and usability. It is highly innovative and offers standard-setting solutions to some of the challenges facing the crypto industry like continuity after death and paperless crypto backup and recovery.

On their website, the Keevo hardware wallet is described as a “Swiss bank vault in your pocket, but without the bank,” as well as a simple, intuitive, and secure crypto wallet.

But how true are these bold claims? How secure is the Keevo hardware wallet? More importantly, how effective are such revolutionary features as paperless recovery and beneficiary service? We answer all these questions and tell you everything else you need to know about the crypto vault in this Keevo hardware wallet review.

Keevo wallet key features

On-device color screen: Keevo hardware wallet device has a large, high-resolution color display as its most prominent feature. This screen is large enough to fit a wallet address; it’s easily navigable and touch-sensitive.

Durable casing: Keevo hardware wallet’s casing is made from precision-cast zinc alloy and glass fiber, and reinforced steel for maximum durability. These also ensure that the wallet is protected from elements of nature like dust, temperature, and water.

Desktop app companion: Keevo hardware wallet is also compatible with the keevo desktop app that lets you view your crypto activity and your digital assets easily.

Multi-wallet vault: Keevo is a multi-wallet crypto vault in that there is no limit to the number of wallet addresses or private keys you can store in the wallet.

Beneficiary service: Keevo offers the revolutionary beneficiary service that allows your heir to inherit your digital assets when you pass. This solves the dead man’s conundrum that has seen an estimated 4 million Bitcoins lost forever since their holders didn’t leave clues about the wallet passwords or recovery seed before death. To achieve this, Keevo allows you to name a beneficiary and have them create a separate login option (PIN + Fingerprint) on your Keevo carbon key. Upon your passing, Keevo will verify your death before handing over the login credentials to your heir.

Keevo wallet security features

Passcode + Fingerprint sensor: Keevo hardware wallet is protected by a multi-layered security system. You start by creating a PIN code and reinforce it with a Fingerprint. This ensures that even if a hacker gained access to your PIN, they can’t transact without your Fingerprint.

Two-factor authentication: Every outbound crypto transfer initiated by Keevo hardware wallet must be subjected to two-factor verification. It takes the PIN and Touch ID to authorize crypto transfers to other wallets or exchanges.

Dual chip architecture: Keevo claims to use double CPUs that embrace the highest data encryption levels and segregation as used by leading banks and finance industry players.

No storing private keys: Regardless of all these safety and privacy measures employed by Keevo, the company claims that it does not store your private keys. Rather, it calculates the digital assets associated with the login credentials every time you log in.

Proprietary multi-signature system: Keevo wallet developers are in the final stages of patenting a multi-factor/multi-signature transaction authentication system that will then be integrated into the Keevo hardware wallet.

Carbon Key: This refers to a proprietary private keys recovery system designed and populated by the Keevo hardware wallet. It is a four-step and paperless authentication system that backs up your wallet and helps you recover private keys, effectively replacing the recovery seed system used by most wallets. The carbon key is a secondary hardware device that stores encrypted copies of your hardware wallet’s PIN code, Fingerprint, and wallet data. You start by sending this data to Keevo, and they will create a personalized Carbon key and ship to you or store it in one of the ultra-secure 1400+ vaults maintained by Iron Mountain data handlers for a small fee.

How to set and activate the Keevo Hardware wallet

Step 1: Order your Keevo hardware wallet

Step 2: Download and install the Keevo desktop wallet app.

Step 3: Complete registration by choosing a username and creating a password

Step 4: Turn on the Keevo hardware wallet device and connect to the computer via the provided USB cable.

Step 5: Once paired, create a PIN for the device and scan your Fingerprint.

Step 6: Keevo will now display your wallet address and QR code

Step 7: The wallet is now active and ready for use

Note: You will need to contact the Keevo wallet development team to activate the beneficiary service and subscribe to their service plans.

How to add/receive Crypto into your Keevo Hardware wallet

Step 1: Log in to your Keevo desktop app and click on the “Receive” icon.

Step 2: From the display window, copy the wallet address or its QR code and forward it to the person sending you altcoins

Step 3: Wait for your funds to reflect on your account.

How to send Crypto from your Keevo Hardware wallet

Step 1: Log in to your Keevo desktop wallet and click on the “Send” icon.

Step 2: Select the altcoin you wish to send

Step 3: Enter the recipient wallet address and the amount of funds to transfer in the transfer window

Step 4: Connect the hardware device to the wallet

Step 5: Log in to the hardware device and verify that the transaction details are correct.

Step 6: Hit send.

Keevo Hardware wallet ease of use

Despite playing host to several premium features, Keevo maintains one of the most interactive and easy to use user interfaces. Both the desktop wallet app and the hardware device feature a clean user and easily navigable user interface. And plastered throughout the website, especially on the FAQ page of the Keevo website and blog, is a host of explanatory guides teaching you how to interact with the wallet and most of its features.

Keevo Hardware wallet supported currencies and countries.

Keevo supports all the popular cryptocurrencies, and plans are underway to incorporate as many altcoins and tokens as possible.

The wallet is designed and assembled in the US but can be shipped to virtually any crypto-friendly country across the world.

Keevo Hardware wallet cost and fees

Keevo hardware wallet costs $299.

There are, however, two other charges associated with the use of the Keevo hardware wallet. First is the blockchain network fees you have to pay every time you send Crypto to other wallets or exchanges. It is mandatory and is collected by the respective blockchain miners or network administrators.

Second is the subscription cost for the service plans offered by Keevo that is paid monthly/annually. The fee is optional and only applies to individuals who wish to enjoy the beneficiary service and have their carbon key (wallet backup) stored in the ultra-secure Iron Mountain vaults.

Keevo Hardware wallet customer support

Keevo has an active and highly responsive customer support team that you can call, text via the Live chat feature on the website of and desktop app, email, or direct message via the different social media platforms.

The Keevo wallet developers also host regular Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions on their telegram channel, where you get to interact and engage both its developers and experienced Keevo Wallet users.

What are the pros and cons of using the Keevo Hardware wallet?

Pros:

  • Keevo wallet employs key security measures around the wallet, including storing your carbon key in Iron Mountain vaults.
  • The beneficiary system ensures that your digital assets aren’t lost when you die.
  • Its carbon key simplifies the backup and recovery process.
  • The wallet features advanced security and operational features.

Cons:

  • You have to verify your identity to access their beneficiary system.
  • One may consider Keevo wallet’s price restrictive.

Comparing Keevo Hardware wallet with other hardware wallets

Keevo Hardware wallet vs. Trezor Model T wallet

Keevo and Trezor Model T hardware wallets are highly innovative hardware wallets with a relatively large and high-resolution touch screen. Both feature an intuitive user interface and embrace such effective security and privacy measures like two-factor authentication and backup/recovery options. Further, swallets addresses are generated offline by a hierarchically deterministic system.

But while Trezor will only embrace the industry standard operational and security features, Keevo has introduced several innovative and proprietary security features. For instance, Trezor stores your private keys online and comes with a card for storing the recovery seed. Keevo, on the other hand, doesn’t store your private keys in its secure element. And in place of the backup and recovery seed, it introduces the revolutionary carbon key.

Verdict: Is the Keevo hardware wallet safe?

Yes. Keevo hardware wallet has employed highly effective safety and privacy measures around the wallet. Most of these are proprietary, highly innovative, and fit for eventual adoption as the new industry standard. These include the innovative paperless carbon key that serves as a wallet backup and recovery option, the patent-pending multi-factor authentication, the dual-chip architecture that does not store private keys in the wallet, and the revolutionary beneficiary system that ensures your cryptos don’t die with you upon your passing.