Arculus pairs a metal NFC card with a mobile app to manage a crypto wallet you control yourself. Arculus states that the card's secure element stores the private keys used to authorize transactions. The phone displays account information and prepares requests. NFC is the short-range wireless connection established by holding the card against a compatible phone.
Signing a transfer with the card
Select the asset, choose Send and enter the destination and amount. Review the network and transaction details on the phone, then follow the PIN and NFC-card prompts. The card signs; the phone displays the request and submits the transaction. This transfer flow is distinct from choosing optional biometrics during setup. See the official sending guide.
How the card approves a transaction
The card needs no charging or cable. Transactions are prepared in the app and signed with the card after a PIN check. Fingerprint or face authentication can also protect app access; the documented setup makes biometrics optional.
Transfers and connected services
The app handles supported crypto transfers, token swaps and third-party purchase or sale services. WalletConnect links it to compatible decentralized applications. The documented MetaMask connection uses the Arculus phone app together with a desktop browser extension and a webcam.
Staking options include ADA, SOL and ATOM delegation to network validators. Minimum balances and conditions for withdrawing vary by asset. Arculus also provides custom-token lookup through CoinGecko; adding a token requires checking its network and contract address.
Asset support and service support are separate. A supported token is not necessarily available for every swap, staking or dApp function. In the network labels on this page, Avalanche refers to C-Chain and Hyperliquid to HyperEVM.
Where Arculus fits
- Useful for: signing with a battery-free NFC card and organizing supported crypto accounts in one mobile app.
- Less suited to: a software-only or computer-only wallet workflow. The core setup requires both the card and a compatible phone.
- Wallet required: create a new wallet or restore an existing compatible recovery phrase. An existing wallet is not needed to begin.
- Account required: the public wallet setup describes local wallet creation without an Arculus account-registration step. Integrated fiat providers can require a separate account and identity verification, with availability depending on location.
Phone and language requirements
Arculus lists Android 11 or newer with NFC, or an iPhone XR or later running iOS 17.5 or newer. Its iOS app declares nine interface languages, including English and French. This language list does not establish identical translation coverage on Android.
Hardware purchase and transaction costs
The Arculus Card is a one-time hardware purchase; the mobile app download is free. Card offers can change and applicable sales tax is additional. Arculus states that it adds no fee for sending or receiving crypto, while blockchain network fees still apply. Purchase, sale and swap providers charge separately under the conditions shown in their transaction flow.
