NFTs—non-fungible tokens—have changed how we view digital ownership, from art and collectibles to gaming assets and tokenized memberships. NFTs are increasingly recognized as valuable digital assets, which makes their secure storage critically important.
The rise of phishing scams and the risk of custodial service failures underscore the need for reliable solutions. The Tangem Wallet effectively addresses this need. It is a hardware wallet designed with a focus on simplicity and robust security features, making it an ideal choice for safeguarding NFTs and other digital assets. In this guide, we’ll show you how to view, receive, and transfer NFTs using your Tangem Wallet.
What are NFTs?
NFTs are digital tokens representing ownership of a unique asset on the blockchain. Unlike cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, NFTs aren’t interchangeable; they’re “non-fungible,” making them perfect for digital art, game items, event passes, and more.
While many users rely on browser extensions or custodial apps to store NFTs, these can be risky. A hardware wallet like Tangem ensures that you only control the private keys to your assets without ever exposing them to the internet.
Setting up your crypto wallet for NFTs
Getting started with Tangem takes just a few steps:
Activate your wallet: Unbox your Tangem card or ring and open the Tangem app (available on iOS and Android).
Create a new wallet or import an existing one using a seed phrase.
Back up your wallet with 2 or 3 linked Tangem cards to ensure recoverability.
Add supported blockchains relevant to your NFT collections (e.g., Ethereum for OpenSea, Solana for Magic Eden).
How to enable NFTs in your Tangem Wallet
Tangem Wallet supports working with NFTs on the following networks: Arbitrum, Avalanche, Base, BSC, Chiliz, Cronos, Ethereum, Fantom, Moonbeam, Moonriver, Optimism, Polygon, and Solana.
By default, the NFT section is hidden. To turn it on, follow a few simple steps:
Open the Tangem app and log in to your wallet.
Tap on the three dots in the upper-right corner of the homepage and select the desired wallet on the Details page.
Activate the NFT switch.
The NFT collection section will appear on the homepage under the list of added tokens.
How to receive NFTs
Here's how to receive NFTs into your wallet
Go to the app's homepage and tap NFT Collections.
Tap Receive NFT.
Select the desired network where you want to receive NFTs.
If the desired network is not displayed, it means that it has not been added to the wallet's homepage. Instructions on how to add a network can be found here.
Use the specified address to send the NFT to the selected network.
After receiving the NFT, go to the NFT section in the app.
Find the desired collection.
Tap on it to expand and view the individual NFTs inside. Basic information for each NFT is displayed, including the standard, ID, contract address, network, and other characteristics (if available).
How to send NFTs
To send an NFT from the Tangem Wallet, follow these steps:
Open the Tangem app and log in to your wallet.
Go to NFT Collections.
Expand the desired collection and choose an NFT from it.
Tap Send.
Enter the recipient's address in the sending window. Be sure to double-check the addresses you copy and paste.
You can adjust the transaction fee level in Fees. You can also set your own network fee amount. Make sure the fee you set is enough to confirm the transaction. If the fee is too low, the transaction might not go through. Tap Next.
Review all information before tapping Send.
Scan your Tangem Wallet to sign the transaction. The transaction has been successfully signed and sent to the blockchain.
You can check its status in the app history or on a blockchain browser. To do this, log in to your wallet card in the Tangem app by clicking on the currency on the home screen. Then, choose "View transaction History" or "Browser" to see the blockchain.
Important! When transferring NFTs, ensure the sender's and recipient's networks match. Many tokens work on different networks at the same time. If you send tokens using a different network than the one the recipient specified, the NFTs may be lost and cannot be recovered.
How to buy and mint NFTs
The Tangem Wallet doesn't have a built-in platform for buying, selling, or trading NFTs. However, you can easily link your Tangem Wallet to popular NFT marketplaces like OpenSea or Rarible using WalletConnect. This allows you to view your NFTs on the marketplace, manage them, and put them up for sale.
The WalletConnect function in Tangem Wallet is available for Solana and EVM networks: ApeChain, Arbitrum, Areon, Aurora, Avalanche C-Chain, Base, Bitrock, Blast, BNB Smart Chain, Canxium, Chiliz EVM, Cronos, Cyber, Dione, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, Ethereum PoW, Fantom Opera, Flare, Gnosis, Kava EVM, Manta Pacific, Mantle, Moonbeam, Moonriver, Optimistic Ethereum, Polygon, Polygon zkEVM, PulseChain, RSK, Shibarium, Sonic, Telos, zkSync Era.
What is preventing the NFTs I sent from appearing in the app?
If your NFTs aren't showing in the app, try these steps:
1. Make sure the NFT option is turned on in your wallet settings: - Open the Tangem app and log in. - Tap the three dots in the top right corner. - Choose your wallet. - Turn on the NFT switch.
2. Check if the network where your NFT is stored is added to the main screen: - If not, add the network to see your NFTs. See how to add a network here.
3. Refresh NFT data: - Go to the homepage, then back to the NFT section. - Or pull down on the NFT collection section to refresh.
This should help you see your inbound NFTs.
Best practices for securing NFTs
When it comes to NFTs, security is very important. NFTs are valuable digital items that can't be replaced if lost or stolen. With Tangem Wallet, you control your private keys, so it's up to you to keep them safe. Here’s how to protect your NFTs and wallet:
Handle your Tangem Wallet with care Keeping your wallet safe starts with handling it carefully. Tangem cards and rings are strong, but treat them like cash or jewelry. Never share your cards, even for a moment. Don't store them where others can see or reach them, like in wallets, drawers, or bags.
Always set up and store backup cards separately Tangem wallets support two or three backup cards. These are critical in case your primary card is lost or damaged. Store each backup in a separate, secure location, like a locked safe at home or a safety deposit box. This physical distribution reduces the risk of all backups being compromised at once (e.g., in the event of theft, fire, or flood).
Beware of scams and phishing attacks The NFT space is full of clever scams targeting both new and experienced users. Stay alert by following these best practices: - Never connect your wallet to unknown or unverified websites. - Avoid clicking on NFT airdrop links from Discord, Twitter, or Telegram DMs—many are phishing traps or “drainers” that empty your wallet. - Always verify you’re on the official website of marketplaces like OpenSea, Magic Eden, or Rarible before listing or buying NFTs. If it seems too good to be true (e.g., free NFTs or surprise winnings), it probably is.
Following these best practices can greatly lower the chances of losing your NFTs or compromising your Tangem wallet. Security is a mindset—and with the right setup, Tangem makes it simple to protect what you own.
