Bitcoin Forum

NEW THREAD WITH CONCEPT IMAGES!: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=169291.0 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=169291.0)

NOTE: Before you vote, realize that I don't suggest the poll is a commitment. If you say Yes, up to $25, for example, that just means "I'd probably buy it at that price, if it meets my expectations." Please feel free to post advice/concerns and questions.

Hello,

I am currently considering the manufacture of a product and want to get the community's take on it. The product would be a small, metal rectangle (credit card sized) designed to withstand temperatures above 1800 degrees Fahrenheit (the upper range of house-fires) with a label, address and private key engraved on it.

The private key could be covered by a non-fire-proof removable holographic sticker or left exposed depending on what potential customers would prefer. If the private key is exposed it's possible that I would add other security features which I will consider.

Another possibility is multiple wallets on the same wallet card.

It would be clean and simple but stylish with the Bitcoin logo (and perhaps mine) on it and rounded corners. I am considering custom labeling to add the customer's name, but that would require pre-ordering.

This is in the very early stages of consideration, what do you think?

EDIT: Think Bitbills Bank Cards only fireproof.

EDIT: The "get involved" option refers to a few options:

1. You'd like to help with ideas and see how this turns out.
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2. You'd like me to let you know how this works out.
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3. If you like the design, you'd potentially be willing to pre-order more than 5 at a discount to resell.

Obvious problem: your customers need to tell you their cold storage private keys.

No, they would be new cold storage wallets generated on a freshly installed linux machine and deleted immediately after printing. I'm looking into engraving companies that can supply the secure (very little employee access to the keys) printing necessary. The other possibility is that I buy a printing machine and then customers only have to trust me (which I realize I have not earned yet, but I'll find a way to make it as easy as possible).

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Think Bitbills Bank Cards only fireproof (and actually available).

Can't you make your own?

Up to $10 if it had a clean, minimalist design.

Lets just melt some metal into the shape of a private key....
Done, Fire proof wallet

Or Stamp the damn thing with a hammer and screwdriver

I think this would be more of a novelty item, but with a private key stamped on it. Kinda like the casscius coins. If you do go through with this I'd be willing to be a part of it. The most anybody would probably spend on something like this is $10 if it's on cheap metal, more on silver/gold

I'm considering both of those ideas.

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That's what I'm thinking, and it would be stainless steel with rounded edges and a clean and hopefully a clean and attractive design. Think about a key chain (for real life keys). It has a simple purpose but can still be designed to be attractive.

Unfortunately, silver and gold are too soft and melt a bit lower than I'd like so I'm not considering that.

The pricing may be an issue. It's looking like they'd have to retail for $15-$20 given the $10 (at the very least) cost to make.

My other idea is to actually do them as pre-loaded physical Bitcoins. I could make a larger order with that and therefore charge less, and still sell individuals since Casascius no longer does.

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Assuming I could get the metal blanks for $5 or less each, the engraving machine would cost at least $3,500 meaning I'd have to sell 700 of them at $10 to break even. So until I figure out if the demand exists, it's not a very good option.