New Option: Store Your Bitcoin Safely in Your Skin

Seattle-based Dangerous Things and VivoKey Technologies have come up with a unique solution to the fear of losing a crypto wallet full of Bitcoin, Ethereum, or the latest meme coin – by implanting them in you. Wallets have long been a crucial part of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, ranging from desktop applications to devices the size of credit cards. The pill-sized Apex wallet by VivoKey Technologies secures data beneath your skin, providing a novel way to keep your coins with you at all times.

According to Amal Graafstra, founder and CEO of VivoKey Technologies and Dangerous Things, these hardware wallets are designed for sending cryptocurrency. The private key and signing of crypto transactions are done within the chip, with the phone app serving as the interface. This biohacking solution allows for storing Bitcoin, opening doors, or making payments with a simple chip implant.

The Apex chip, a product of Dangerous Things and VivoKey, can store various cryptocurrencies and is a BIP32/39 wallet applet supporting multiple currency types. The implantation process involves inserting the chip under the skin, offering a secure and convenient way to carry your wallet wherever you go.

While the implantable device retails for $349, customers are not deterred by the price due to the utility and security it offers. Graafstra, a biohacker himself, got his first RFID implant in 2005 out of convenience, enabling him to open doors without keys. The implantation process takes seconds and is minimally invasive, with the chip being replaceable or removable if desired.

Despite initial challenges in attracting customers and sourcing materials, the demand for such implants remains high. The implantation process is quick, with the chip providing a secure hardware wallet that is always with you. Notable individuals, including entrepreneur Briar Prestidge, have documented their experiences with chip implants, showcasing the growing interest in this technology.

Graafstra emphasized that the reluctance to get an RFID implant is often due to a lack of perceived use cases. However, the chip offers a secure and efficient way to carry your wallet, with the option to replace or remove it if needed. As the technology advances, subdermal implants are becoming more accessible, bridging the gap between humanity and technology.