Is Elios safe?
Safety at Elios starts with a structural choice: we never hold your funds. Your stablecoins sit in a smart wallet on chain that only your keys control. There is no central pot of user funds at Elios that could be mismanaged, frozen, or lost, which is the failure mode behind most of the industry's worst collapses.
Every permission your wallet grants to Elios is scoped and enforced on chain. Each one unlocks a single feature, such as card spending or settlement, and nothing more. Elios cannot move your funds outside the rules each permission encodes, and you can review them anytime under Settings, Permissions.
The smart contracts your wallet runs on have been independently audited by a specialized security firm. Your balance is held in USDC, a fully-reserved digital dollar issued by Circle, and your card is issued by Rain, a licensed and regulated card partner.
On your side, the app is protected by Face ID, and your card can be frozen instantly from the app at any time. The one thing we ask of you: back up your 12-word recovery phrase and keep it somewhere safe offline. It is what guarantees your access, independently of your device and of Elios itself.
How should I protect my recovery phrase?
Your keys live on your device. You can export your 12-word recovery phrase under Settings > Security. Store it somewhere safe, offline, and never share it with anyone.
Self-custody means you stay in control, but it also means you are responsible for your backup. If you lose your phone without saving your recovery phrase, Elios cannot recover your funds for you.
Encrypted cloud backup is coming soon. Until then, make sure to keep your recovery phrase somewhere safe.
Should I keep my app updated?
Yes. Always use the latest version of the Elios app to receive security updates and product improvements.
How do I protect myself?
Self-custody puts you in control, and a few simple habits keep that control firmly in your hands.
Protect your recovery phrase. It is the master key to your wallet. Store it on paper, somewhere safe and offline, and never share it with anyone. Elios will never ask for it. Anyone who does is trying to steal your funds.
Protect your device. Your phone is how you access Elios, so keep it locked with Face ID or a passcode, keep it updated, and only download Elios from the official App Store.
Watch out for impersonators. Only trust communication from official Elios channels. We will never contact you to ask for your recovery phrase, your card PIN, or to "verify your wallet" via a link. When in doubt, reach out to support directly from the app.
Double-check before you send. On-chain transfers are final. Verify the recipient address before confirming, and remember to send only USDC to your deposit address.
Use your card controls. If your card is lost or you spot a transaction you do not recognize, freeze it instantly from the app, then contact support.
Does Elios ever ask for my recovery phrase, password or OTP?
No. Never. Not in the app, not by email, not on Telegram, not in a support conversation. There is no situation in which Elios needs your recovery phrase, your card PIN, or a verification code to help you.
Anyone asking for these is not Elios. Scammers commonly impersonate support teams, especially in community channels, and often create a false sense of urgency, claiming your account is at risk or your wallet needs to be "verified" or "synced". These messages can look convincing, complete with logos and official-sounding names.
If someone contacts you asking for any of these, do not respond, and report it to us through the app or at support@eliospay.com. If you have already shared your recovery phrase, move your funds to a new wallet immediately, then contact support.
A note on why: Elios support never needs this information because we never hold or control your funds in the first place. Your keys stay with you, and every legitimate support flow works without them.
What should I do if I suspect fraud?
Act fast, and start with the part that is at risk:
Suspicious card transaction or lost card: freeze your card straight away from the Cards tab in the app, then contact us at support@eliospay.com. Freezing is instant and blocks all new payments while we investigate.
Compromised recovery phrase: move your funds to a safe wallet immediately, then contact support. Do not wait for a reply before securing your funds.
We treat these reports as top priority and will respond as quickly as possible.