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Rolling dice for seed phrases: a cybersecurity dilemma

Users Turn to Dice Rolls to Generate Crypto Seed Phrases | Trust Issues Mount

By

Fatima Hassan

Aug 29, 2026, 01:10 PM

Edited By

Markus Huber

3 minutes estimated to read

A hand rolling colorful dice on a table with cryptocurrency symbols in the background, representing the process of generating seed phrases.

As crypto enthusiasts increasingly question the security of hardware wallets, some are resorting to unconventional methods for seed generation. This trend follows reports of hardware bugs raising doubts about random number generators, prompting fears and a push for self-custody solutions.

Many users are concerned after the Coldcard entropy bug caused significant trust issues within the crypto community. One user noted, "I can't shake the fear it could happen again." As a workaround, they've turned to rolling dice, raising questions about the procedures involved in generating secure seed phrases. With only six sides per die, one user expressed anxiety about needing a significant number of rolls to yield sufficient entropy, compounded by worries of messing up the conversion process.

Hardware Wallet Skepticism Grows

Users cite the Trezor wallet’s long history in the market, yet concerns remain about relying solely on its random number generation. Some believe that "if you don’t trust the integrity of their stack you have more things to worry about than entropy." Furthermore, recommendations have emerged suggesting a two-out-of-three multisig wallet from various hardware vendors as a more secure alternative.

Rolling Your Own Seed: Risks and Advice

Generating a seed using dice seems straightforward but requires careful preparation. Users shared valuable insightsβ€”emphasizing the use of modified environments like Tails OS and ensuring that old computers are air-gapped.

"I purposely ran my generation program on an offline engineering calculator." This meticulous approach underscores the careful mindset needed in today's climate of distrust.

Best Practices Shared by Users

A community member even noted, "Most people lose funds due to giving away their seed to scammers" This highlights the importance of not over-complicating setups while ensuring a diversified security approach. Here are some best practices that surfaced:

  • πŸ”‘ Use a Trusted Hardware Wallet: Rely on devices from different manufacturers.

  • 🎲 Roll Your Own Seed: Utilize dice rolls carefully, ensuring proper conversions.

  • βš–οΈ Consider a Passphrase: Add an extra layer on your seed phrases for security.

Key Insights from the Conversation:

  • 🚨 Trust in hardware wallets is wavering, with many advocating for diverse, layered security.

  • πŸ” Rolling dice for seed generation could provide a solution, but requires thorough checks.

  • πŸ› οΈ Users are open to experimenting with tools like the Ian Coleman application but remain cautious.

In these tumultuous times for crypto security, how will this trend of DIY seed generation evolve? It’s a developing story that highlights a growing divide between trust in traditional methods and the exploration of new, personalized security strategies.

Future Directions in DIY Seed Generation

There’s a strong chance that as skepticism towards hardware wallets persists, more people will explore DIY methods for generating seed phrases. This could lead to an increase in user education about secure practices, as well as the adoption of modified software or dedicated hardware for enhanced security. Experts estimate around 60% of crypto enthusiasts might try alternative methods in the next year, driven by recent hardware bugs that have raised alarms. Additionally, as community discussions continue to proliferate, a rise in collaborative tools for seed generation could emerge, further pushing individuals towards self-custody solutions.

Echoes of Tech Evolution

This scenario is reminiscent of the early days of personal computing when users gradually lost faith in mainstream operating systems due to security flaws and bugs. Much like those tech enthusiasts who experimented with Linux as a safer alternative, today’s crypto fans are gravitating towards customized setups and diverse security measures. Just as that shift transformed the landscape of personal computing, the current trend in DIY seed generation could reshape trust in crypto security, fostering a more self-sufficient and educated community moving forward.