Wallet security is the primary concern for millions of blockchain enthusiasts around the world. How can you keep your prized assets safe, whilst proving your ownership of your most valuable NFTs? One tool is tailor made to solve this. That tool is Coldlink.
Developed by the team behind one of the most recognisable NFT collections in the industry, this tool has made it possible to follow best security practices whilst maintaining the flexibility to connect to the services you desire – and it continues to grow in users.
Coldlink has been a game-changer for many – but how did the tool come around, how does it work, and what features could be added to the tool in future?
Here’s our complete guide to Coldlink.
Key Insights
- Coldlink allows users to prove that they own an NFT without directly connecting the wallet it belongs to
- This allows holders to retain flexibility without trading security
- The Coldlink tool currently supports Ethereum and Solana, with plans to expand support in future
- The system is powered using a secure API and private database, with USD costs for each Coldlink made
- Coldlink is created by DFZ Labs, the team behind the Deadfellaz NFT collection
What is Coldlink?
Coldlink is a “universal verification and delegation tool”.
Debuting in early 2025, Coldlink allows users to prove that their cold wallet holds NFTs without directly connecting that wallet to a website, app or service.
This works by allowing users to link their cold wallet to a unique identifier, such as a hot wallet, NFC chip, or even your X handle.
By using Coldlink, users can have both the security benefits of a cold wallet and the flexibility of a hot wallet with zero compromises.
Coldlink has proven to be both a common-sense and a powerful solution, allowing users to utilise the benefits of owning valuable NFT collectibles whilst being safe in the knowledge that Coldlink is helping to keep their most valuable assets safe and secure.
Who created Coldlink?
Coldlink is created by DFZ Labs – the creators of popular Deadfellaz NFT collection.
DFZ Labs is led by co-founders Psych and Betty. They bring over 10 years of experience from creative industries into Web3, and have used that experience to create an array of products, tools and services.
Coldlink was originally designed to solve a problem experienced by many in the Deadfellaz community. With a growing number of products – such as upcoming trading card game Death Touch – holders wanted a way to gain their holder-only benefits without putting their Deadfellaz NFTs at risk.
How does Coldlink work?
To enable Coldlink, users select their cold wallet, set a link duration, choose an identifier they’d like to use – such as a hot wallet, X handle, or NFC chip – and pay a small fee to get the link set up.
This takes less than 60 seconds costs less than $1 USD for a typical link that lasts up to one full year.
The systems that power Coldlink are off-chain and developed by the DFZ Labs team. No smart contracts are involved, with the core processes taking place away from the blockchain. As DFZ Labs is a trusted name in the industry, this has plenty of benefits – although the centralised nature of the service has raised concerns for some.
How can I create a Coldlink?
Creating a Coldlink takes less than 60 seconds:
- Visit Coldlink: Open your web browser and navigate to coldlink.xyz
- Start the process: Click the “Create a Coldlink” button
- Select blockchain: Choose the primary blockchain for your cold wallet
- Enter wallet: Enter the public address of your cold wallet
- Set link duration: Choose how long you’d like the link to be active – from 1 day to 1 year
- Choose identifier: Select another wallet address, X handle or NFC chip as an identifier, and click “Submit”
- Make payment: Pay the displayed fee from your cold wallet to the address shown
- Link activated: Once payment is verified, your Coldlink is now live!
Why should I use Coldlink?
Coldlink’s way of creating off-chain, verified wallet links has many applications, helping to keep your NFTs both safe and connected. Some examples include:
- Secure tokengating: Coldlink enables a hot wallet to be used to verify NFT ownership, claim airdrops, gain access to holder-only sites and more
- Identity linking: By linking your cold wallet to your X profile, you can prove that both your X profile and your wallet address are authentic
- Physical connections: By linking your cold wallet to an NFC chip, users can verify their held NFTs with a physical item, making IRL event access simple
- Share utility: Unable to attend a tokengated IRL event? Use Coldlink to temporarily link your cold wallet to an NFC chip, and give that NFC chip to a friend
What are the pros and cons of Coldlink?
Coldlink has many advantages, but also some drawbacks:
Benefits:
- Reduced risk: Coldlink can decrease the number of apps, services and tools that your cold wallet needs to interact with
- Affordability: Coldlink is affordable, making it a viable option for all Web3 users regardless of disposable funds
Risks:
- Centralization: Coldlink is centralised by design, with the system only as secure as DFZ Labs own core database and API security
- Trust: Coldlink users must trust that DFZ Labs has the best of intentions, and that their security is top-notch – not just now, but in future
- Transparency: During its launch, key technical documentation was reported as being inaccessible – making it difficult to verify Coldlink’s security
What’s next for Coldlink?
DFZ Labs plans to continue development of Coldlink:
- Blockchain support: Layer-1 blockchains such Bitcoin, Cardano and XRP, and Layer-2 networks such as Abstract Chain are set to be added in future
- Linking options: The end goal for Coldlink is to be able to link blockchain addresses to “anything, anywhere”, including Discord IDs and event tickets
- More integrations: Coldlink has submitted a formal proposal to ApeCoin DAO for a custom version of Coldlink
The success of Coldlink will depend on its user uptake, growth, the success of future expansions, and whether DFZ Labs can build and maintain trust and support across the Web3 industry.
Centralised infrastructure is always a tough sell to blockchain enthusiasts. If DFZ Labs can prove that Coldlink is valuable, secure and reliable, the tool could thrive – especially as security is a paramount concern.
Should I use Coldlink?
Coldlink is a practical, smart approach where security meets flexibility – but this convenience comes with centralisation.
If your goal is to avoid possible dangers in third-party applications, and you trust the DFZ Labs team, Coldlink could be a valuable tool for you.
If decentralisation is a major factor for you, you might prefer to stick with traditional security practices – though your user experience will suffer.
In any case, Coldlink asks serious questions about how Web3 should balance security and flexibility – especially as onboarding continues to be a big topic.
Tools such as Coldlink – whether you would use them or not – are important for driving Web3 forwards, and there’s no doubt that its legacy – even at this early stage – could have a lasting impact on the industry at large.
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