Vault12 Guard is a non-custodial desktop and mobile application designed for the decentralized backup, inheritance, and recovery of digital assets such as cryptocurrency seed phrases, private keys, and NFTs. The platform operates on a decentralized security model, using a cryptographic method based on Shamir's Secret Sharing to encrypt and partition data into shards. These shards are distributed across a private, peer-to-peer network of user-designated trusted devices, referred to as Guardians, which eliminates reliance on centralized cloud storage or single hardware devices. This architecture ensures the user retains sole custody and control of their cryptographic keys, as the platform has no visibility into or access to the stored data.
The system is blockchain-independent and employs open-source, quantum-resistant cryptography. Communications within the Guardian network are secured by the proprietary Zax protocol, which features communication ratcheting for per-message encryption and Proof-of-Work mechanisms as a defense against network attacks. For local key management, the application integrates with mobile hardware security modules, including Apple's Secure Enclave and Android's StrongBox. Asset recovery and inheritance are facilitated by the Guardian network, which can cryptographically reconstruct the vault's contents on a new device. Additional capabilities include an entropy-based seed phrase generator and an optional local "Hot Storage" copy for immediate retrieval via biometric authentication.
