We are excited to partner with Unchained to bring collaborative custody multisig to BitBox users. Available in the United States, Unchained users can now use a BitBox device directly with Unchained vaults, combining self-custody hardware with a collaborative multisig setup designed to remove single points of failure. 

At BitBox, our goal has always been simple: give users the tools they need to take control of their bitcoin securely, without unnecessary complexity. For many, that journey starts with buying bitcoin and withdrawing it to a hardware wallet. But as holdings grow and requirements change, so do the questions around long-term security, redundancy, inheritance, and recovery – also in the context of larger organizations.

What is Unchained?

Unchained has been helping Bitcoiners navigate self-custody for more than nine years. They are a Bitcoin-native financial services company focused on long-term bitcoin holders. One of their core products is the Unchained vault: a 2-of-3 multisignature cold storage setup designed to help individuals, families, and businesses secure bitcoin without having to hand over full control to a third party. 

The basic idea is straightforward:

  • Two of the three keys are held by you
  • One backup key is held by Unchained
  • Any two keys are required to move funds

That means Unchained cannot move your bitcoin on their own. At the same time, their model can help reduce the risk of a single point of failure, for example if you lose one of your keys or it gets compromised.  

How the model works

Unchained vaults typically use a 2-of-3 multisig setup. In practice, this means there are three keys in total, but only two are needed to authorize a spend. You hold two of those keys yourself, while Unchained secures the third as a backup key. 

This approach can offer meaningful advantages:

  • If one key is lost, your bitcoin can still be accessed.
  • Sharing one of the self-controlled keys with a friend, business partner or family member enables new ways of sharing access as well as inheritance planning – while still staying in control.
  • In the unlikely event Unchained is uncooperative, you still hold two of the keys and can spend your funds.

The third key in a 2-of-3 multisig setup is not needed to create a spending transaction.

For users who like the idea of self-custody but want additional redundancy and a clearer recovery path, collaborative custody can be a compelling middle ground between single-key storage and full third-party custody. But of course, this approach is not for everyone – it’s just another option in the large set of self-custody tools.

Why Unchained with BitBox?

BitBox is built for simple and secure self-custody. Unchained extends that journey for users who want to take a more guided and advanced step and secure larger amounts of bitcoin with multisig.

The integration combines two approaches that fit together naturally:

Self-custody hardware you control: Your BitBox stays in your control when used as one or both of the signing devices in the multisig setup and keeps your keys offline, exactly where they belong.

More resilient custody with multisig: Instead of relying on a single device or single seed phrase alone, Unchained vaults distribute risk across three keys, while still enabling you to remain in control by owning two of them. 

The freedom of choice: Unchained highlights hardware diversity as one of the benefits of expanded wallet compatibility. Supporting the BitBox now gives users more choice and more flexibility when building their multisig setup. 

Built for better multisig usability: The BitBox is a great option for multisig in general because it offers multisig setup registration, which makes verifying multisig setups more straightforward and prevents changes go unnoticed. 

Support when you need it: One of the key ideas behind collaborative custody is that users do not have to go through it entirely alone. Unchained’s model is designed to help users recover from small mistakes or key loss, without taking control away from them. 

Who is this for?

Not every BitBox user needs multisig. For many people, a straightforward single-key setup with good backups is already an excellent solution.

But there are situations where a multisig setup starts to make sense:

  • You hold a larger amount of bitcoin and want more redundancy.
  • You want to reduce reliance on a single device or single backup location.
  • You are thinking about inheritance planning.
  • You want a custody setup for family or business use.
  • You want guided support and recovery options without giving up control.

For those users, BitBox and Unchained can now work together to meet these goals.

Why BitBox as an Unchained user?

Built in Switzerland, the BitBox is designed for Bitcoiners who want strong security without unnecessary complexity. Its firmware and companion app are fully open-source, easy to use and packed with advanced Bitcoin features. There also is a Bitcoin-only edition available for those who only want to focus on Bitcoin with no distractions – following Unchained’s philosophy. 

For existing clients of Unchained, that means access to a hardware wallet that combines a simple user experience with a security-first design.

Conclusion

Self-custody is not a “one-size-fits-all”.

For some, it means keeping things as simple as possible with a single hardware wallet and a well-secured backup. For others, it means taking the next step toward a multisig setup that removes single points of failure and adds resilience over the long term.

With the BitBox now integrated with Unchained, users have one more option to choose the setup that fits their needs best: combining the simple and secure self-custody experience of BitBox with Unchained’s collaborative and more advanced approach.

We’re excited to see BitBox users in the United States take advantage of this new integration.

FAQs

Can I use a BitBox with Unchained vaults?

Yes. BitBox hardware wallets are now compatible with Unchained vaults, which means you can use a BitBox device as part of Unchained’s collaborative custody multisig setup.

What is an Unchained vault?

An Unchained vault is typically a 2-of-3 multisignature bitcoin storage setup. You control two of the three keys, while Unchained holds one backup key. Any two keys are needed to move funds, which helps reduce single points of failure while keeping you in control.

Who is the BitBox and Unchained integration for?

This integration is especially relevant for Bitcoiners who want more redundancy than a single-key setup can offer. It can make sense for users with larger holdings, people thinking about inheritance planning, or families and businesses that want a more robust self-custody setup without giving up control of their bitcoin.

Don’t own a BitBox yet?

Keeping your crypto secure doesn't have to be hard. The BitBox hardware wallets store the private keys for your cryptocurrencies offline. So you can manage your coins safely.

Both the BitBox02 Nova and the BitBox02 also come in a Bitcoin-only edition, featuring a radically focused firmware: less code means less attack surface, which further improves your security when only storing bitcoin.

Buy the BitBox02 Nova or grab a BitBox02 in our shop!

Shift Crypto is a privately-held company based in Zurich, Switzerland. Our team of Bitcoin contributors, crypto experts, and security engineers builds products that enable customers to enjoy a stress-free journey from novice to mastery level of cryptocurrency management. The BitBox02, our second generation hardware wallet, lets users store, protect, and transact Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with ease — along with its software companion, the BitBoxApp!