About Cryptnox

Who we are

Cryptnox SA is a Swiss hardware-security company based in Carouge, Geneva. We design and manufacture NFC smart cards that protect digital assets and authentication credentials — for consumers, developers, and businesses. Individuals buy our FIDO2 security key cards, crypto hardware wallet cards, PIV identity cards, and card readers; companies work with us on white-label card programs, enterprise key backup, and custom smart-card development.

Founded in 2019 by Sebastien Armleder, Cryptnox builds on Java Card secure-element technology to put strong authentication and self-custody into the most familiar form factor there is: a card that fits in a wallet.

Our flagship technology: Card Wallet as a Service (C-WaaS)

Card Wallet as a Service (C-WaaS) is by far the most innovative solution Cryptnox has developed: a complete white-label platform through which banks, fintechs, and financial institutions issue crypto hardware wallet cards under their own brand.

Branded cards and apps. Cards in three configurations — crypto-only, or combined with EMV and FIDO2 — paired with branded iOS and Android wallet apps.
Server-based implementation on AWS. The C-WaaS backend runs on AWS and handles automated card issuance, key management, and shipping, and enforces transaction policy checks — amount limits and whitelisted tokens, recipients, and smart contracts — over encrypted communication with the cards.
Non-custodial by design. Cards ship pre-initialized with no seed phrases, and the architecture qualifies as self-custody under EU and Swiss regulations.

The C-WaaS technology is protected by granted U.S. patents US 11,791,996 B2 (Shamir secret sharing for key recovery), US 12,101,400 B2 (secure key injection), and US 12,132,824 B2 (seedless wallet initialization), with European patent application EP 4 258 596 A1 covering institutional white-label card issuance. The same patented base powers our Shamir secret sharing cards.

What makes Cryptnox different

Card form factor, NFC interface. Cryptnox cards are NFC smart cards (ISO/IEC 14443) — tap to authenticate or sign with a phone or contactless reader. The cards themselves are not USB devices; Cryptnox also makes the USB smart card readers that connect them to desktops.
Certified platform base. Cryptnox cards are built on NXP secure controllers and JCOP platforms that are Common Criteria EAL6+ certified.*
Certified applets where it counts. The Cryptnox FIDO2 applet is FIDO Alliance Certified (FIDO2 CTAP2.1, Level 1, certificate FIDO20020240806001; U2F 1.2, Level 1, certificate U2F100020240806001).
Swiss engineering, patented innovation. Beyond the C-WaaS patent family, the Click-to-Tap reader feature is protected by Austrian utility model GM 55114/2025 and German utility model DE 20 2025 108 028.1 — see the patents page for the full portfolio.
Open developer ecosystem. SDKs for Python, C++, ESP32 and Arduino plus a CLI, open-sourced at github.com/cryptnox and documented at docs.cryptnox.com.

Milestones

2019 — Cryptnox SA founded in Carouge, Geneva
2024 — FIDO Alliance certification of the Cryptnox FIDO2 card (FIDO2 CTAP2.1 and U2F, Level 1)
2025 — Click-to-Tap utility models granted (Austria, Germany)
2026 — PIV identity card line launched

Products

Our consumer line is available in the Cryptnox shop: FIDO2 security key cards (single cards and 25-packs, with or without MIFARE DESFire), the Cryptnox hardware wallet dual-card set, FIDO2 + PIV identity cards, and contactless and USB smart card readers.

Browse Cryptnox products

Contact & media

For sales, support, or media inquiries, use the contact form.

* Common Criteria certification applies to the identified NXP secure controller and JCOP operating platform in their evaluated configurations. Installed Cryptnox applications and the complete multi-application product are not independently Common Criteria certified unless expressly identified.