Xaman vs Ledger vs Tangem: XRP Wallets Compared
Xaman is a phone app, Ledger is a hardware device and Tangem is an NFC card. How each stores XRP keys, backs up, handles trust lines and who each one suits.
Video coming soon.
Key takeaways
- Xaman is a phone app, Ledger is a hardware device with a screen, and Tangem is a set of NFC cards. All three are self-custody: you hold the keys.
- Xaman keeps keys on your phone unless you pair it with a Xaman (Tangem) card, which keeps the key on the card's chip.
- Ledger backs up with a 24-word recovery phrase. Tangem backs up to one or two extra cards, with an optional seed phrase.
- Every XRP Ledger account needs 1 XRP to activate and 0.2 XRP for each trust line, whichever wallet you use.
- Buy hardware only from the maker or its listed resellers, and send a small test transaction before moving anything meaningful.
Xaman, Ledger and Tangem all let you hold XRP in self-custody, but they store your keys in different places. Xaman is a phone app, Ledger is a hardware device with its own screen, and Tangem is a set of NFC cards you tap against your phone.
None of them is the right answer for everyone. This guide compares how each one works, how each backs up, what XRP Ledger features each handles and what can go wrong. It compares facts. It doesn’t rank the wallets, and app details can change, so check each maker’s help pages for the current version.
How do Xaman, Ledger and Tangem compare?
Xaman, Ledger and Tangem differ mainly in where the private key lives and how you back it up. Details are as of October 2026, from each maker’s own help pages.
| Xaman | Ledger | Tangem | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Phone app | Hardware device with a screen | NFC card or ring, sold in sets of 2 or 3 |
| Made by | XRPL Labs | Ledger | Tangem AG (Switzerland) |
| Where the key is stored | On your phone, or on a Xaman (Tangem) card if you pair one | Secure Element chip in the device | Secure element chip in the card |
| Backup method | Secret Numbers (8 rows of 6 digits) for new accounts; imported accounts may use a family seed or mnemonic | 24-word recovery phrase, plus optional paid Ledger Recover | One or two backup cards; optional 12- or 24-word seed phrase |
| XRP Ledger features | Built for the XRPL: trust lines, DEX, escrow, multi-signing | XRP send and receive in the Ledger Wallet app; check Ledger for token support | XRP and XRPL tokens with trust lines in the Tangem app |
| Cost type | No purchase; service fee on some actions such as swaps | Device purchase | Card set purchase |
| Main risk | Phone malware or a lost backup | Lost recovery phrase; fake devices | Losing every card with no seed phrase |
What is Xaman?
Xaman is a self-custody XRP Ledger (XRPL) wallet app made by XRPL Labs. It was previously called Xumm. Xaman’s help center says a new account is created from Secret Numbers: 8 rows, labeled A to H, of 6 digits each. Those numbers are the only way back into the account if something happens to the phone.
Xaman supports XRPL features such as trust lines, the built-in decentralized exchange (DEX), escrow and multi-signing. Xaman charges a service fee on some transactions. As of October 2026, its help center lists 0.8% on trading actions such as swaps, DEX trades and AMM deposits or withdrawals. Receiving funds and setting trust lines are free. The same page lists a fixed 0.15 XRP fee on pathfinding payments and a small percentage fee on payments over $50,000.
Xaman on its own is a hot wallet, because the keys sit on an internet-connected phone. Our cold wallet guide explains what that difference means.
Can Xaman pair with a Tangem card?
Yes, Xaman pairs with Xaman (Tangem) cards. They are Tangem cards made for use with Xaman. Xaman says the chip generates the private key the first time you use the card, and that the key never leaves the card.
You sign a transaction by holding the card against an NFC-enabled phone. Xaman says you cannot export the card’s key. To protect against loss, you can set up a second card as a backup, or attach a recovery account. Xaman supports the cards only for the XRP Ledger, and says they don’t work at ATMs or payment terminals.
What is Ledger?
Ledger is a hardware wallet: a small device that stores your keys in a Secure Element chip and signs transactions inside the device. The companion app is now called Ledger Wallet (formerly Ledger Live). Ledger lists XRP among its supported assets.
Ledger devices generate a 24-word recovery phrase. Ledger says it will never ask for those words. Ledger also sells an optional subscription, Ledger Recover, that splits an encrypted version of the phrase across three providers.
Ledger’s XRP page explains the 1 XRP account reserve and the 0.2 XRP reserve for objects such as trust lines. Bullrunners could not confirm from Ledger’s own pages how fully the Ledger Wallet app handles XRPL tokens. Check Ledger’s support site before relying on a Ledger for tokens such as RLUSD.
What is Tangem?
Tangem Wallet is a hardware wallet in the form of NFC cards or a ring, sold in sets of two or three. Tangem says the private key is generated offline inside the chip. Setup copies the key to the backup cards. Each device is protected by an access code.
Tangem also offers a seed phrase mode. You can generate a 12- or 24-word phrase during setup, or import one. Without a seed phrase, Tangem says losing every card means losing the funds.
The Tangem app supports the XRP Ledger. Tangem’s help center says you can add XRPL tokens and open trust lines, but you cannot close a trust line in the Tangem app. Our Tangem Wallet review covers setup in detail.
Which XRP wallet suits which reader?
The right XRP wallet depends on how much you hold and how often you move it.
- Xaman alone suits someone who uses XRPL features often, such as trust lines or the DEX, and keeps a smaller balance on the phone.
- Xaman with a Xaman (Tangem) card suits someone who wants the Xaman app but wants the key off the phone, and only needs the XRP Ledger.
- Ledger suits someone who holds several blockchains, wants a device with its own screen and is comfortable guarding a 24-word phrase.
- Tangem suits someone who wants a hardware wallet without writing down a phrase, and can store two or three cards in separate places.
One common setup is two wallets: a phone app for small daily amounts and hardware for long-term holdings.
What should you check before choosing an XRP wallet?
The XRP Ledger rules apply to every wallet. An account needs 1 XRP to activate, and each trust line reserves 0.2 XRP, as our trust line explainer covers.
- Buy hardware from the maker or a reseller the maker lists. A new device should ask you to create a wallet, not arrive set up.
- Download apps from the official store link on the maker’s site.
- Write your backup on paper. Never type, photograph or share a seed phrase or Secret Numbers.
- Store backup cards or phrases in separate places.
- Send a small test transaction before moving anything meaningful.
What to check next
Wallet features change. Before you choose, read each maker’s current help pages on XRP Ledger token support, especially for Ledger. If you use Xaman, check its current service fee table. And whichever wallet you pick, confirm that you can restore it from your backup before you depend on it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Xaman a hot wallet or a cold wallet?
On its own, Xaman is a hot wallet, because the keys sit on an internet-connected phone. Paired with a Xaman (Tangem) card, the private key stays on the card's chip and signing happens on the card.
Can I use a Tangem card with Xaman?
Yes, with Xaman-branded Tangem cards, made by Tangem for use with Xaman. Xaman supports them only for the XRP Ledger. It says the Tangem app may work with them on other blockchains, but questions about that go to Tangem support.
Does Ledger support XRP?
Yes. Ledger lists XRP among the assets its Ledger Wallet app (formerly Ledger Live) supports with a Ledger device. Check Ledger's support site for current XRP Ledger token and trust line features.
Which XRP wallet doesn't need a seed phrase?
Tangem can run without a seed phrase. The key is created on the card's chip and copied to one or two backup cards. If you lose every card and never made a seed phrase, Tangem says the funds are lost.
Do I need a hardware wallet for XRP?
Not to hold XRP. A hardware wallet or card keeps keys off your phone or computer, which protects against many online attacks. It suits larger amounts you plan to hold, while a phone app suits smaller amounts you use often.
Education and commentary only, not financial advice. Crypto is volatile and you can lose money. Do your own research and speak to a qualified advisor before making investment decisions. Figures are as of November 3, 2026 and may have changed since.
