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Ledger begins shipping its high-end hardware crypto wallet
Registera French startup best known for its secure crypto hardware wallets, started shipping new wallets nearly 18 months later announcing the latest Ledger Stax devices.
The updated wallet features an E-Ink display and was designed in collaboration with Tony Fadell, one of the lead designers behind the iPod. E-Ink technology is typically used for e-book readers like Amazon Kindle or Rakuten Kobo because the displays look good in daylight and don’t require a lot of power.
After fulfilling all pre-orders, the company will list Ledger Stax on its website once it has more stock available. The reason why the hardware wallet has fallen behind schedule is that the company may have overpromised on the design front. The Ledger Stax features a curved E-Ink display. He said it was harder than expected to produce curved E-Ink displays at scale.
So, what makes Ledger Stax different from other Ledger wallets, the Nano S Plus and the Nano? Unlike these two devices, the Ledger Stax features a larger display with a secure touch screen that interacts directly with the secure element in the device. It’s supposedly easier to use than the arrow buttons on other Ledger devices.
While the Nano S Plus only works with a USB-C cable, the Nano X and Stax also have a Bluetooth chip. It means you can initiate a crypto transaction from your phone and validate it on your crypto wallet, without needing any wire.
With this new portfolio, Ledger is also targeting high-end customers. The company sold the Ledger Stax for 279 euros during the pre-order phase (around $300 at today’s exchange rate). It wouldn’t confirm the wallet’s final retail price, so you’ll have to wait for it to be made available again on its website.
Thanks to the curved display, customers can view some information on the back of the device, even when it is turned off. This could be especially useful for businesses and individuals who own multiple hardware wallets and want to stack them. The Ledger Stax also features built-in magnets for easy alignment and supports Qi wireless charging.
When it comes to security, all Ledger products rely on a secure element where your wallet’s private keys are securely stored. They never leave your crypto wallets, meaning that even if your computer or phone is compromised, your assets are safe. However, most crypto hacks are phishing attempts anyway, and Ledger cannot protect you from social engineering and scams.
If you lose your device, you can recover your wallet using a secret recovery phrase. The company also offers a subscription product in case you are not comfortable with recovery phrases.
Interestingly, the Ledger Stax also marks the beginning of a manufacturing partnership with Foxconn, the consumer electronics company. Previously, Ledger assembled its devices in Vierzon, France, but the Nano S Plus and Nano X devices will still be produced in Vierzon.
Ledger said it has sold more than 6 million devices to date, and the company estimates it secures about a fifth (20%) of the world’s crypto assets.
Image credits: with a Ledger license.