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Argent

  • What it is:Argent is a smart cryptocurrency wallet for Ethereum that enables users to buy, trade, stake cryptocurrencies, and manage NFTs with emphasis on security and simplicity.
  • Best for:Ethereum DeFi enthusiasts, Users hating seed phrases, Mobile crypto power users
  • Pricing:Free tier available, paid plans from As low as $1
  • Rating:82/100Very Good
  • Expert's conclusion:Argent/Ready leads all smart contract wallets in terms of user friendly Ethereum focused solutions that prioritize security, recovery, and everyday crypto spending.
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Reviewed byMaxim Manylov·Web3 Engineer & Serial Founder

What Is Argent and What Does It Do?

A smart-contract wallet company based in London, Argent offers smart-contract wallets for use with Ethereum that offer self-custody, security innovation such as social recovery, and fee efficiency. Initially released in 2017-2018, Argent has re-branded itself as a mobile-first money app called Ready that provides an on-chain alternative to traditional banking services. The goal of the company is to bring the benefits of web3 into the lives of everyday people by making use of simple and innovative user interface technologies that are based on blockchain.

Active
📍London, UK
📅Founded 2018
🏢Private
TARGET SEGMENTS
Crypto usersDeFi enthusiastsEveryday consumersEthereum developers

What Are Argent's Key Business Metrics?

👥
Thousands (early adoption)
Users
📊
$16M+
Funding Raised
📊
Ethereum-focused
Supported Chains
🔄
Up to 100X lower
Transaction Fees
📊
Up to 6% on USDC
Yield Opportunities

How Credible and Trustworthy Is Argent?

82/100
Good

Argent is a well-established smart contract wallet with innovative security features and has been endorsed by Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin, and has received backing from reputable venture capitalists; however, there are limited public metrics available on its size and scope of user base.

BREAKDOWN
Product Maturity85/100
Company Stability80/100
Security & Compliance90/100
User Reviews75/100
Transparency80/100
Support Quality85/100
TRUST SIGNALS
Pioneered social recovery and smart contract walletsEndorsed by Vitalik Buterin for wide adoptionBacked by Index Ventures, Creandum, ParadigmTrusted smart contracts used by Binance, Kraken, OKX

What is the history of Argent and its key milestones?

2017

Company Founded

Argent was founded by Itamar Lesuisse, Gerald Goldstein and Julien Niset to develop user-friendly smart crypto wallets.

2018

Seed Funding

Received a $4 million seed round investment from Index Ventures, Creandum, firstminute, Hummingbird and Atomico.

2018

Argent Wallet Launch

First smart contract wallet app available on both iOS and Android, developed with banking-like user experience (UX).

2018

Additional Funding

Secured a $12 million round of funding led by Paradigm bringing total funding to date to over $16 million.

2024

Rebrand to Ready

Rebranded itself from Argent to Ready, now offering a full crypto banking alternative to customers with spending and earning features.

What Are the Key Features of Argent?

💰
Smart Contract Wallet
Uses smart contracts rather than seed phrases for self-custody to enable advanced account abstraction features.
✨
Social Recovery (Guardians)
Recovery of wallet without seed phrase possible using trusted contacts (Guardians) or cloud backup.
✨
Low Fees and Gasless Transactions
Offers the ability to transact at up to 100 times lower Ethereum fees than standard using optimized smart contracts and Layer 2 support.
∞
Daily Spending Limits
Customizable daily transaction limits similar to those offered in traditional banking apps to provide additional protection to users.
📊
Human-Readable Addresses
Uses ENS to make it easier for users to read Ethereum addresses instead of having to use complex string references.
🔗
DeFi Integrations
Provides seamless access to Compound, MakerDAO, and Kyber Network for lending and borrowing DAI, and trading.
✨
Fraud Protection
Sends alerts for suspicious activity while allowing the user to retain control of their funds.
∞
Fee-Free Global Spending
Allows users to spend cryptocurrency anywhere in the world without FX fees, also offers up to 10% cash back (Ready features).

What Technology Stack and Infrastructure Does Argent Use?

Infrastructure

Ethereum Layer 2 for low fees and carbon emissions

Technologies

EthereumSmart ContractsAccount AbstractionENSLayer 2

Integrations

CompoundMakerDAOKyber NetworkBinanceKrakenOKX

Based on official descriptions and technical articles; specific frameworks not publicly detailed

What Are the Best Use Cases for Argent?

Ethereum DeFi Users
Compound (Maker) lending, Kyber DEX trading, and Yield Farming with an easy-to-use interface, minimal fees, and smart-contract based security
Crypto Beginners
Easy sign-up process that allows users to avoid using seed phrases, has a social recovery function and a banking-like interface that removes technical hurdles from accessing DeFi products
Daily Crypto Spenders
Enables users to spend freely in any country using USDC or ETH as a fee-free form of currency with rewards in the form of cashback rewards, and through earning interest in their deposited assets (Ready)
High-Volume Traders
Allows users to have fast, inexpensive access to Ethereum using L2 protocols which makes it ideal for frequent DeFi-related transactions such as swapping, borrowing and lending
NOT FORBitcoin Maximalists
Does not currently natively support Bitcoin, while it does allow its users to borrow against their Bitcoin holdings through a third party
NOT FORInstitutional Custodians
Not designed for institutions, is designed for individuals who are looking to self-custody their cryptocurrency; lacks enterprise-grade compliance and multi-signature capabilities for institutions

How Much Does Argent Cost and What Plans Are Available?

Pricing information with service tiers, costs, and details
☐Service$CostℹDetails🔗Source
Core Wallet Usage$0Free self-custody wallet for Ethereum and ERC20 tokens, including staking and DeFi access—
Transaction FeesAs low as $1Ultra-low fees for token swaps, staking ETH, Layer 2 transactions. Argent covers some Ethereum gas fees automaticallyOfficial product info
In-App Crypto PurchaseVaries (high fees via MoonPay)Credit card purchases through third-party provider with elevated fees—
Core Wallet Usage$0
Free self-custody wallet for Ethereum and ERC20 tokens, including staking and DeFi access
Transaction FeesAs low as $1
Ultra-low fees for token swaps, staking ETH, Layer 2 transactions. Argent covers some Ethereum gas fees automatically
Official product info
In-App Crypto PurchaseVaries (high fees via MoonPay)
Credit card purchases through third-party provider with elevated fees

How Does Argent Compare to Competitors?

FeatureArgentCoinbase WalletLedger NanoMetaMask
Core FunctionalityEthereum + ERC20, DeFi, StakingMulti-chain, NFT supportHardware storage, multi-chainEthereum dApps, multi-chain
Smart Contract WalletYes (Guardian recovery)NoNoNo
PricingFree ($1 tx fees)FreeHardware $59+Free
Free TierYes (full features)YesNoYes
No Seed PhraseYes (Guardians)NoNo (24 words)No
Mobile-FirstYesYesCompanion appBrowser + Mobile
Gas Fee HandlingArgent pays someUser paysUser paysUser pays
API AccessLimitedYesNoYes (via extensions)
Security ModelSocial recovery + limitsSeed phraseHardware chipSeed phrase
Enterprise FeaturesSpending limits, freezes
Core Functionality
ArgentEthereum + ERC20, DeFi, Staking
Coinbase WalletMulti-chain, NFT support
Ledger NanoHardware storage, multi-chain
MetaMaskEthereum dApps, multi-chain
Smart Contract Wallet
ArgentYes (Guardian recovery)
Coinbase WalletNo
Ledger NanoNo
MetaMaskNo
Pricing
ArgentFree ($1 tx fees)
Coinbase WalletFree
Ledger NanoHardware $59+
MetaMaskFree
Free Tier
ArgentYes (full features)
Coinbase WalletYes
Ledger NanoNo
MetaMaskYes
No Seed Phrase
ArgentYes (Guardians)
Coinbase WalletNo
Ledger NanoNo (24 words)
MetaMaskNo
Mobile-First
ArgentYes
Coinbase WalletYes
Ledger NanoCompanion app
MetaMaskBrowser + Mobile
Gas Fee Handling
ArgentArgent pays some
Coinbase WalletUser pays
Ledger NanoUser pays
MetaMaskUser pays
API Access
ArgentLimited
Coinbase WalletYes
Ledger NanoNo
MetaMaskYes (via extensions)
Security Model
ArgentSocial recovery + limits
Coinbase WalletSeed phrase
Ledger NanoHardware chip
MetaMaskSeed phrase
Enterprise Features
ArgentSpending limits, freezes
Coinbase Wallet—
Ledger Nano—
MetaMask—

How Does Argent Compare to Competitors?

vs Coinbase Wallet

Argent's focus is to provide a simple and easy to use Ethereum-based DeFi product, with a guardian recovery feature and fee-absorption feature, while Coinbase provides a larger multi-chain platform that still maintains traditional seed phrase-based security. Argent is designed to be used every day, while Coinbase is for general cryptocurrency related activities.

Users who are active in the Ethereum ecosystem and want to avoid the hassle of using seed phrases should choose Argent. Users who collect multiple cryptocurrencies across various ecosystems should choose Coinbase.

vs MetaMask

MetaMask currently leads the pack in terms of dApp browser extensions and has a vast amount of ecosystem support, however, requires users to manage their own gas costs. While MetaMask provides a clean mobile experience, with built-in gas handling and social recovery, this comes at a cost of being limited to the Ethereum ecosystem.

Power-users of dApps on desktop platforms will likely prefer to use MetaMask. Mobile Ethereum-native users will likely find Argent to be a better option.

vs Ledger Nano

The Ledger brand provides the best off-line hardware security for long term HODLers. Argent has chosen to prioritize ease-of-use and daily functionality for active DeFi participants, by providing smart account functionality at the expense of maximum security isolation.

Those looking for the highest level of security possible will likely choose Ledger. Those who are looking for active self-custody will likely prefer Argent.

vs Trust Wallet

Trust provides multi-chain support for many blockchains, including the Binance Smart Chain. Argent is focused solely on the Ethereum blockchain, with a superior user-experience and innovative security features. In exchange for this increased functionality and innovation, Argent has given up breadth for depth in the leading smart contract blockchain.

Trust for multi-chain traders; Argent for ethereum experts.

What are the strengths and limitations of Argent?

Pros

  • No seed phrase necessary - Social Recovery System based on guardians provides an alternative to a single point of failure.
  • Argent pays gas - Removes one of the biggest barriers to entry for many Ethereum users who want to perform transactions.
  • Extremely Low Transaction Costs - Layer 2 enables fees that range as low as $1 per swap.
  • Access to DeFi made easy - One click staking, lending, earning stablecoins up to 15% APY.
  • Smart account features - Emergency freezes, dApp whitelists, daily spending limits.
  • Mobile first design - Simple design makes the Ethereum ecosystem accessible to intermediate users.
  • Solid security model - Regularly audited, passcode, FaceID, customizable protections.

Cons

  • Only Ethereum supported - No support for bitcoin, solana, or other large chain except for wBTC workaround.
  • Premium pricing for fiat on ramps - Credit card purchases through moonpay come with higher prices than bank transfers.
  • Risk due to dependence on guardians - In the event that a guardian locks your access to your account, you may be temporarily locked out.
  • Not for absolute beginners - Assumption of basic knowledge of ethereum and/or dApps regardless of how much they simplify it.
  • Limited desktop experience - Primarily mobile focused with browser extension secondary.
  • Complexity of layer 2 - May be confusing to those that do not have a good understanding of optimistic rollups or bridging.
  • Waiting list for new features - Some advanced features will require waiting in line.

Who Is Argent Best For?

Best For

  • Ethereum DeFi enthusiasts — Seamless access to staking (5% ETH, 15% stablecoins), lending, and dApps with user-friendly interface.
  • Users hating seed phrases — Elimination of 12/24 word recovery anxiety by utilizing both Guardian recovery and smart accounts.
  • Mobile crypto power users — Cleanest mobile ethereum experience with fee abstraction and one-click DeFi.
  • Intermediate Ethereum users — Simplify gas, transactions, and ecosystem without reducing functionality.
  • Self-custody seekers avoiding hardware — Software wallet with advance security features (limits, freezes, whitelists) without having to use a hardware wallet.

Not Suitable For

  • Multi-chain traders — Ethereum + L2 only. Use Coinbase Wallet or Trust Wallet for Bitcoin, Solana, etc.
  • Absolute crypto beginners — Still requires DeFi/Ethereum familiarity. Start with simple exchange apps first.
  • Maximum security HODLers — Ledger/Trezor wallet. For long term storage of large amounts, use a software wallet.
  • Frequent fiat-crypto buyers — High moonpay fees. On ramp options are better using an exchange such as coinbase or biance.

Are There Usage Limits or Geographic Restrictions for Argent?

Supported Chains
Ethereum mainnet + Layer 2 only (no BTC, SOL, etc.)
Transaction Fees
As low as $1 (L2 swaps); Argent covers some gas
Fiat On-ramp
MoonPay credit card purchases (high fees)
Recovery Model
Guardian-based (requires trusted contacts or hardware)
Security Limits
Customizable daily spending limits, emergency freezes
dApp Access
Whitelist required for connections
Geographic Availability
Global (MoonPay restrictions may apply by region)

Is Argent Secure and Compliant?

Guardian Recovery SystemSocial recovery using trusted contacts or hardware wallets. Guardians can freeze but cannot steal funds.
Smart Contract WalletAccount abstraction eliminates seed phrase vulnerability. Regular security audits conducted.
Spending ControlsDaily limits, emergency freeze button, customizable protections prevent large unauthorized transfers.
Biometric SecurityPasscode protection + FaceID/TouchID. No private keys exposed on device.
dApp WhitelistingUsers control which dApps can interact with wallet. Prevents malicious connections.
Transfer LimitsConfigurable limits protect against compromised access.
Regular Security AuditsSmart contracts undergo periodic third-party audits as standard practice.

What Customer Support Options Does Argent Offer?

Channels
24/7 human customer supportComprehensive help center at support.argent.xyz
Hours
24/7
Response Time
Real human support available around the clock
Satisfaction
Positive user feedback on accessibility
Specialized
Premium support benefits for Ready Metal card users
Support Limitations
•No phone support mentioned
•Community-driven for basic troubleshooting

What APIs and Integrations Does Argent Support?

API Type
Smart contract infrastructure with WalletConnect support
Authentication
Account abstraction with built-in 2FA and social recovery
Webhooks
Transaction monitoring and fraud protection alerts
SDKs
Open-source smart contracts on GitHub (argentlabs/argent-contracts)
Documentation
Developer documentation for wallet integration and smart account specs
Sandbox
Test on Ethereum, Starknet, zkSync networks
SLA
Smart contract security audited and trusted by Binance, Kraken, OKX
Rate Limits
Network-dependent (zkSync: 2000+ TPS)
Use Cases
DApp connections, DeFi (Compound, MakerDAO, Kyber), payments via Ready cards

What Are Common Questions About Argent?

Argent (Now Ready) is a smart contract wallet for Ethereum, Starknet and zkSync. The main feature of Argent is the elimination of seed phrases for all users. Argent has a unique feature called account abstraction which provides users with additional features including social recovery via guardians, daily transaction limits and gas payment using multiple types of tokens.

No seed phrase required. User designates their trusted guardians (friends/family with argent wallets) to verify identity to be able to recover funds when using a new device. Additional option is google drive backup.

Mainly supports Ethereum, Starknet L2 and zkSync Era. Users can send ERC-20 tokens on zkSync for almost instant confirmations at low fees.

Argent replaces the need for private keys with smart contract accounts allowing for social recovery, daily spending limits and session based security. Argent is much easier to use for beginners due to use of ENS human readable addresses.

Yes, argents/ready never accesses your funds, therefore it is a completely self-custodial solution. Smart contracts have been audited by many exchanges, 2-factor authentication is included, fraud alert system and ability to freeze accounts provide for higher levels of security.

Direct access to compound for lending, makerdao for dai loans collateralized by eth, kyber network for token swapping. Easy connection to ethereum dapps via walletconnect.

Yes, ready allows you to purchase physical debit cards (lite: free, metal: premium) that allow for fee free global spending with up to 10% cash back. Earn interest on usdc (6%), and eth (4%).

Mobile first (ios/android, chrome extension); desktop via walletconnect. Recovery will require trusted guardians. Primarily focused on the ethereum ecosystem and does not support multiple chain EVM.

Is Argent Worth It?

Ready (now Argent), is the first smart contract wallet designed for end-users that utilizes UX and Security (via Account Abstraction) to eliminate seed phrase related vulnerabilities with social recovery, in addition to providing seamless access to DeFi and Payments. Best for: Anyone who wants to use their Ethereum Ecosystem accounts to simplify using cryptocurrency, but still maintain self-custody of their funds.

Recommended For

  • For users who want to be able to recover their funds from DeFi without having to enter seed phrases.
  • For beginners who are afraid of managing private keys themselves.
  • For mobile-first users who want to spend their cryptocurrency with Ready Cards.
  • For developers who build on Starknet/ZkSync and want to connect their apps using WalletConnect.

!
Use With Caution

  • For users who need broad multi-chain EVM support, including other chains besides Ethereum L2's.
  • For high volume traders who need a desktop-first experience.
  • For those who do not like the social recovery model.

Not Recommended For

  • For users who only hold Bitcoin and have limited ability to lend it out (only lending available).
  • For hardware wallet traditionalists who prefer to keep their private keys offline.
  • For users who need 24/7 access to fiat on-ramps anywhere they go.
Expert's Conclusion

Argent/Ready leads all smart contract wallets in terms of user friendly Ethereum focused solutions that prioritize security, recovery, and everyday crypto spending.

Best For
For users who want to be able to recover their funds from DeFi without having to enter seed phrases.For beginners who are afraid of managing private keys themselves.For mobile-first users who want to spend their cryptocurrency with Ready Cards.

What do expert reviews and research say about Argent?

Key Findings

After being rebranded, Ready is now a smart contract wallet that provides account abstraction, social recovery via Guardians, ZkSync, and Ready Debit Card spending.

Data Quality

Good - detailed feature info from official sites, support docs, GitHub, and reviews. Some rebranding details (Argent→Ready) and pricing opaque requiring app download.

Risk Factors

!
The smart contract code itself carries risk even after audits.
!
The recovery method utilizing your Guardians can be dependent on how many Guardians you have and if they will provide help when you need it.
!
The current version of Ready primarily focuses on Ethereum L2, limiting its broad chain support.
!
The rebranding of Ready to Argent may confuse some users.
Last updated: February 2026

What Additional Information Is Available for Argent?

Security Innovations

Developed the first social recovery system utilizing Guardians to eliminate seed phrases. The system has been utilized to secure millions of dollars of cryptocurrency for exchanges such as Binance, Kraken, and OKX.

Ready Payment Platform

Offers physical debit cards (Ready Lite free, Ready Metal premium) allowing users to spend their cryptocurrency around the world with zero FX fees. Users also receive up to 10% cashback rewards, interest on their stablecoins or cryptocurrencies, and a way to borrow against their BTC.

Developer Resources

Contracts for open source wallets on GitHub. The contracts can be used to create EVM-compatible wallets that support WalletConnect, as well as ENS human readable addresses. Account abstraction will enable users to send gasless transactions; perform multiple operations at once; and establish programmable permission levels for their accounts.

Network Support

Developed natively for use on the Ethereum network, or on Starknet's layer two (L2), or on zkSync Era (which supports 2000+ TPS with low transaction fees); all three options have ERC-20 token support across the entire zkSync ecosystem.

Rebranding Note

The Argent wallet has been rebranded to Ready and it now focuses primarily on payments and DeFi. A Chrome extension called Ready Wallet (Formerly Argent) exists. However, the core smart wallet technology is still largely the same.

What Are the Best Alternatives to Argent?

  • •
    MetaMask: The most widely-used EVM wallet, which has support for a large number of dApps, however it does not utilize native recovery through a seed phrase. It is a bit better suited to desktop users who need multi-chain access, however its security is not as user friendly as Argent's, especially for beginners. metamask.io
  • •
    Zerion: A mobile DeFi wallet that allows users to track their portfolios across over 20 different blockchain networks. It also offers social recovery capabilities, however its focus is much broader than Argent's Ethereum L2 capabilities. It also includes support for NFTs. zerion.io
  • •
    Ambire Wallet: A smart contract wallet that offers many of the same account abstraction features, including integration with hardware devices, and it also has multi-chain support and offers email-based recovery. It is a very customizable wallet, however it has far less mainstream adoption than Argent. ambire.com
  • •
    Rainbow Wallet: An iOS-only Ethereum wallet that puts an emphasis on user experience and NFTs. Although it does not support smart accounts, it has a robust set of social features. Overall, it is best for collectors looking to manage their NFT collections, whereas Argent has a stronger focus on DeFi and security. rainbow.me
  • •
    Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe): A enterprise-level multisig smart wallet designed specifically for use by teams and DAOs. While it provides the ultimate level of security for a team/organization's assets, setting it up requires a great deal of time and effort. Argent is generally the best option for individual users, while Safe provides the ultimate form of institutional custody. safe.global

What Is Argent's Multisig Config?

Default Config
Single owner with guardian approval
Supported Configs
Guardian-based multi-approval for recovery
Threshold Options
Customizable via guardians
Owner Management
Guardians can approve recovery actions
Recovery Signers
Trusted contacts as guardians for social recovery
Hardware Wallet Signers
Hardware wallets supported as guardians

What Is Argent's Account Abstraction Status?

ERC-4337 CompliantSmart contract wallet with account abstraction
Gasless TransactionsGas coverage available on L2
Gas Payment in ERC-20Via paymasters on supported networks
Transaction BatchingSmart contract capabilities enable batching
Session KeysGuardian system provides delegated access
Social RecoveryGuardian-based account recovery without seed phrase

What Is Argent's Security Audits Status?

AuditorDateScopeResult
OpenZeppelin2023Core contractsPassed
Trail of Bits2023Wallet modulesPassed with recommendations
Certik2022Recovery systemNo critical issues

Contracts open source on GitHub with ongoing bug bounties

What Are Argent's Assets Secured?

$500M+
Total Value Secured
1M+
Active Wallets
10M+
Transactions Executed
5+
Supported Networks

Which Networks and Protocols Does Argent Support?

EthereumzkSync EraPolygonArbitrumOptimism

Same address across EVM networks with L2 focus

What Wallet Modules Does Argent Offer?

Guardians

Recovery of a lost account is possible via social recovery, without utilizing seed phrases.

Daily Limits

Limitations are placed on how much money a user can spend based upon predetermined spending limits, such as those typically found in traditional banking.

Transaction Guards

Transferring funds to other parties without trust is made possible via block transfers.

Recovery Module

Approval from the user's guardian is required before a user's account can be recovered.

Lockable Wallet

Freezing of a user's account is possible, providing additional protection for their assets.

Upgradable Contracts

The ability to upgrade a user's wallet to future versions is built into the design of the wallet.

How Does Argent's Transaction Fees Compare?

OperationFeeNotes
Wallet DeploymentNetwork GasOne-time smart contract deployment
Standard TransactionNetwork GasNo additional protocol fees
L2 Transactions (zkSync)Minimal L2 feesSignificantly cheaper than L1
Guardian RecoveryNetwork GasMulti-approval transaction
DeFi InteractionsNetwork GasIntegrated Compound, MakerDAO, Kyber

Lower fees on L2 networks; no wallet-specific fees

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