Platform / Exchange
On a custodial platform, a third party may hold or control the keys used to access assets on the user’s behalf. Centralised exchanges are a common example.
SECURITY
Protecting a recovery phrase starts before storage.
SATONA helps you preserve a physical representation of your BIP39 recovery phrase. Security also depends on how you convert, verify and store it.
Your recovery phrase is the key
Anyone who obtains your complete recovery phrase may be able to restore your wallet on another device and access the assets it protects.
SATONA does not change this rule. The plate is only a physical way to preserve that information.
UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE PROTECTING
Platform, wallet, cold wallet: what is the difference?
These tools do not serve the same purpose. The key distinction is who or which service controls the keys used to access the assets.
Non-custodial wallet
Users control their own keys and become directly responsible for protecting their recovery phrase.
Hardware wallet / Cold wallet
A hardware wallet is designed to hold and use private keys while limiting their exposure to connected devices. Ledger and Trezor are well-known examples.
SATONA
SATONA is not a wallet. It physically backs up BIP39 recovery information so it can be reconstructed if needed.
WALLET / HARDWARE WALLETBIP39 RECOVERY PHRASESATONAPhysical backup
A hardware wallet protects the use of the keys. SATONA protects the backup of the information used to recover them.
Anyone with your complete recovery phrase could potentially restore your wallet on a compatible device. Protecting the phrase is therefore just as important as protecting the wallet itself.
Work offline by default
For a real recovery phrase, SATONA recommends downloading the BIP39 list and performing the conversion offline.
Keyloggers and malware
A compromised device can record keystrokes or other entered data.
Browser extensions
A malicious or compromised extension may access page content or some entered information.
Screenshots, clipboard and synchronization
Screenshots, clipboard copies or cloud synchronization can create unintended digital copies.
Already compromised devices
Even a trustworthy website cannot protect you from a device that is already infected.
Never enter your complete recovery phrase on satona.fr or any other website.
What SATONA tools do
The tools available on satona.fr are designed to explain how SATONA works, convert a single BIP39 word or verify a marking.
They do not require your wallet, private key or complete recovery phrase.
For a real recovery phrase, the recommended method remains the downloaded BIP39 list used offline.
A marked plate must be protected
Once your phrase is encoded, the SATONA plate contains the information required to reconstruct it.
- do not photograph your plate;
- avoid digital copies of your recovery phrase;
- do not unnecessarily disclose its location;
- keep it in a discreet and secure place;
- avoid storing it with information that immediately explains its purpose.
The storage location and any decision to keep a second physical copy depend on your own security strategy.
Verify before hiding
A transcription error can make wallet recovery difficult or impossible.
- the order of the words;
- front: words 1 to 12;
- back: words 13 to 24;
- all 11 positions on each line;
- every position marked for a 1 bit;
- every position left empty for a 0 bit.
What SATONA does not do
- SATONA is not an electronic wallet.
- SATONA does not generate your recovery phrase.
- SATONA does not hold your digital assets.
- SATONA does not replace good security practices.
- SATONA is a physical medium for preserving a binary representation of a BIP39 recovery phrase.