Cryptosteel Capsule Solo
The original stainless tile capsule, fireproof to ~1400°C. An independent brand — not a Ledger product.
Overview
The Cryptosteel Capsule Solo is the device that popularised metal seed storage. Instead of writing your BIP39 recovery words on paper, you slot pre-cut stainless steel character tiles into a threaded capsule, spelling out enough of each word to reconstruct your seed. Paper burns at around 230°C and dissolves in water; this capsule is rated to roughly 1400°C and shrugs off flooding, crushing and corrosion, so a house fire or burst pipe won't take your coins with it.
The tile system is its main strength and its main friction. Because nothing is stamped or punched permanently, you can update or reuse the backup, and there's no risk of mis-hitting a letter. But threading dozens of tiny tiles is fiddly, the tiles can theoretically shift if the capsule is left unlocked, and at around $53 it costs more than a punched plate. Note it is an independent brand — despite Ledger having sold co-branded versions in the past, this is not a Ledger product.
Buy it if you want a proven, reusable, tile-based steel backup and don't mind paying a small premium for the assembly experience and brand pedigree. If you want the cheapest possible fireproofing, a single punched plate is more cost-effective; if you want maximum permanence, hand-stamping titanium wins.
Key features
- 316-grade stainless steel capsule, fire-rated to ~1400°C
- Waterproof, shockproof and corrosion-resistant
- Pre-cut character tiles — no stamping tools required
- Reusable and editable: rearrange tiles for a new seed
- Compatible with BIP39 (store the first 4 letters of each word)
- Compact cylinder that stores discreetly
- Independent brand, sold standalone (not Ledger hardware)
Specs
- material Stainless steel
- method Letter tiles
Who it’s for
Anyone who wants a proven, tile-based steel seed backup.
Watch: hands-on videos
Cryptosteel Capsule Solo: frequently asked questions
How many seed words does it hold?
The Solo is sized for a standard 12- or 24-word BIP39 seed using the first four letters of each word, which uniquely identifies every word in the wordlist.
Do I need any tools?
No. Unlike stamping or punching kits, you simply insert the pre-cut steel tiles by hand, which removes the risk of a mis-stamped character.
Is this a Ledger product?
No. Cryptosteel is an independent company. Ledger has distributed co-branded units in the past, but the Capsule works with any wallet's seed phrase.
Can someone read my seed if they find it?
Yes — like any single-location backup it offers no encryption. Store it securely and consider a passphrase or seed-splitting scheme for defence in depth.
More in Steel Backups
Blockplate (12/24)
One-punch marking on a single thick steel plate — the cheapest credible backup.
Stamp Seed Kit
Hand-stamp your seed into titanium or steel with a full punch kit. Maximum durability, more effort.
Coinkite SEEDPLATE 24
Center-punch stainless steel plate for a 24-word seed, from the Coldcard makers.