All about Xaman (Tangem) cards
Overview and use cases
Last updated
Overview and use cases
Last updated
At XRPL Labs, we are constantly working on improving the XRP Ledger user experience for consumers and for businesses.
Xaman (formerly Xumm) is a self-custodial XRP Ledger wallet. This means that you, and only you, have access to your funds because your funds are in your own account, to which you own the keys. Your keys are encrypted securely on your iOS/Android device.
While keeping your keys encrypted on your device makes a lot of sense for your daily spending (lower-value accounts, to be accessed on the fly), your keys to your XRPL savings are best kept offline, away from your iOS/Android device (or any device you carry around, for that matter). Existing methods to keep your private keys to your higher value accounts safe all have disadvantages, if you want to be able to potentially/periodically move funds from your savings to your spending account. A paper wallet (your secret offline, written down) is not user friendly. It's hard to use, because it will have to be imported to eg. Xaman when you want to access your funds. Hardware wallets have to be charged, are slightly harder (or even scary) to use. Air gapped clients require manual data entry when signing.
Just like XRPL Labs, Tangem is making the cryptocurrency space a safer, more user-friendly place. Their take on keeping keys for XRPL accounts safe is one we at XRPL Labs appreciate a lot. To the point where we feel confident using their cards ourselves to keep our savings safe. Instead of using a hardware wallet, or a static, written down secret (that can't be used easily), their cards contain a chip and use NFC (near field communication). The first time you use the card, the chip generates a private key, while being powered using NFC (by your iOS/Android device). This means the cards are shipped without a private key on them, so there is no chance of it being compromised between you and the factory. The chip used in Xaman (Tangem) cards offers bank grade security and have been fully audited.
Because the key stays in the (chip in the) card, signing happens in the (chip in the) card. This means your secret will never leave the card. You hold your card against your NFC enabled iOS/Android device to sign a transaction. Xaman will then send transaction details to the card, the card will sign and return the signature (for the signed transaction) to Xaman so Xaman can submit it to the XRP Ledger. This offers the best combination of user experience and security. Using your smartphone with decent screen size, and the Xaman + XRPL ecosystem to compose and review transactions, while using a separate (dedicated, low level, offline) piece of hardware (the Xaman (Tangem) card) to sign transactions. While Tangem already offered XRP cards, one could only use them for regular XRP payments. The XRPL has much more to offer than simple XRP payments: Issued tokens / IOU's (decentralized exchange), account settings, multi signing, escrow, etc. All fully supported by Xaman.
We are very excited and proud to share that, by supporting Tangem cards in Xaman, all XRP Ledger features and all transaction types will be available for all existing Tangem card owners.
Because the chip inside a Xaman (Tangem) card generates and holds the (non-extractable) private key to access your funds, a lost card means you won't be able to access your funds anymore. Fortunately, we've got your covered. Xaman includes an xApp called "Tangem Backup" which allows you to configure a second card as a backup. By doing this, you don't have to worry about a lost, stolen or damaged card... you will have a backup card to protect your assets.
What's the typical use case for a Xaman (Tangem) card? Your Xaman card has its own r-address. It's a separate XRP Ledger account. Xaman, in combination with your Xaman card, enables you to use all features on the XRPL. The most common use case would be to use two XRP Ledger accounts: one for receiving funds & daily spending and one for your savings. Your daily spending account in Xaman (as read/write account), and your savings account using a Xaman card. When you want to top up your spending account, you use your Xaman card to sign a transaction from your savings account to your spending account. When your spending account has a higher balance than you're comfortable with, you simply use Xaman to send some of your funds to your Xaman card account.
Can I use a Xaman (Tangem) card in an ATM / payment terminals? No, you cannot. While all Tangem cards feature a bank grade secure chip, the chip is programmed to work only for crypto-currencies with Apps supporting the cards. ATM's and retail payment terminals will not recognize a Xaman (Tangem) card.
Can I use a Xaman Tangem card to pay bills, buy things in a store or pay for services? This all depends if the business supports the XRP Ledger. For example, if you have a debit card and you go into a store that only accepts cash, you can not use your debit card to pay for items in that store. Some stores will allow you to pay with your debit card, but some stores will not. The same applies to the XRP Ledger. If the business accepts XRP as a form of payment, you can certainly pay using the Xaman (Tangem) cards.
Can I use a Xaman (Tangem) card with in the Tangem app / with other blockchains? Technically Xaman (Tangem) cards will "work" with the Tangem app, although we recommend against it. Xaman cards have been configured to our specifications to increase their security, so some of the Tangem features are not supported. (Eg. Their "cloning" feature will not work and their access code can not be configured, among others.) You can also try to use our cards to interact with other blockchains, since you will find the Tangem application offers this possibility. If you do, please note, all support related questions should be directed to Tangem support. Our cards are meant to be used in conjunction with Xaman, which is an XRP Ledger wallet. We do not support the use of our cards on other blockchains. You should also be aware, Tangem's current support of the XRP Ledger is minimal. You will not be able see your issued XRPL tokens, escrows, NFTs, DEX orders, etc. If your plan is to interact with multiple blockchains, you might find that you get a better experience by purchasing the Tangem Multi-currency cards: https://tangem.com/en/#product-component-6864268689474 If your plan is to interact with the XRP Ledger, our cards are way to go.
How do I purchase the cards? You can purchase the cards via our website: https://xrpl-labs.com/tangem/pricing or via Xaman: https://xumm.app/detect/xapp:xumm.tangem-order
Note: Due to the increase in shipping costs, we no longer include free shipping for the cards. Shipping costs will be calculated when you claim your cards and you will be responsible for paying for them separately. Free shipping is not included in the price of Xaman Pro.
Xaman Pro (Beta) is a paid subscription, do I need Pro to use Xaman (Tangem) cards? When you subscribe to Xaman Pro (Beta), you will receive two free Xaman (Tangem) cards with your order. (Note: Not all countries are eligible to receive the cards due to customs restrictions.) How to subscribe to Xaman Pro Beta 🎉
Note: Due to the increase in shipping costs, we no longer include free shipping for the cards. Shipping costs will be calculated when you claim your cards and you will be responsible for paying for them separately. Free shipping is not included in the price of Xaman Pro.
Can I extract or backup the secret / private key from my Xaman (Tangem) card? No, you cannot. The secret / private key of a Xaman (Tangem) card is stored safely inside the chip in the card. The card can only sign for you, it will never expose the secret / private key. While you cannot extract & backup the secret / private key of the card, Xaman can setup a recovery account, and attach the recovery account to your Xaman (Tangem) card account. Using this recovery account, you will be able to regain access to your funds in case of a lost, stolen or damaged card. See: How to use the Tangem Backup xApp
How is the Xaman (Tangem) card protected? Can someone else use my card if they have physical access? Xaman will allow you to setup a PIN / Password on your card. If you do so, signing transactions with your card also requires that you to enter the PIN / Password. This will protect you against physical access attacks, as one not only needs your card, but your PIN / Password as well. If you did not configure a PIN / Password on your card, anyone with physical access to the card can move all your funds. See: Creating a pin on your card
I just received my new cards? How do I configure them? This article will walk you through the process of getting them setup. Getting started with your new cards
