Coinkite has released the Coldcard MK5, the first major upgrade to its MK series hardware wallet since the MK4 arrived in 2022. The new model packs a larger screen, redesigned buttons, and a fresh chassis, along with an NFC feature that lets users sign transactions wirelessly at close range.
A Bigger Screen and Redesigned Chassis
The MK5’s display measures 1.54 inches and is protected by Gorilla Glass — about 30% larger than the MK4’s screen. That extra real estate should make reading addresses and confirming transactions easier without squinting. The buttons have been reworked too: they’re now flush with the chassis, offering more tactile feedback and a cleaner feel when pressing.
Coinkite also reshaped the body. Instead of the MK4’s protruding screen section, the MK5 is a single rectangle with curved edges. It ships with a removable half-case that covers both the screen and the buttons, adding a layer of protection when the device is stowed away. Buyers can choose from several colors: orange, glow-in-the-dark, or a gold-flaked transparent gray.
NFC Push Transactions: On by Default? No
The headline addition is NFC Push Transactions, a short-range wireless data transfer system that works over centimeters. It’s meant as an alternative to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi — both of which have drawn security scrutiny in the crypto hardware space. Coinkite isn’t forcing anyone to use it though. NFC is disabled out of the box, and users who want to physically cut off the feature can scratch a wire on the hardware to sever it permanently.
The software side of NFC Push Tx is open source. The hardware code is publicly available under a non-commercial use license, meaning developers can inspect and verify the implementation but can’t build competing commercial products from it.
First Hardware Update Since 2022
The MK5 is the first new model in the MK line since the MK4 dropped three years ago. Coinkite says it incorporates technologies originally developed for the Coldcard Q, which came out in 2023. That means the MK5 isn’t just a facelift — it’s borrowing from a device aimed at a different segment of the Bitcoin storage market.
The Coldcard series has long been a favorite among Bitcoin maximalists who want a purely offline signing device. The MK5 keeps that core philosophy while trying to make daily use less fiddly. Whether the NFC feature catches on depends on how trustful users feel about short-range wireless — even one that can be physically killed.
The device is available now through Coinkite’s store. No word yet on whether existing MK4 users will get a trade-in option.
