Ledger, a French startup best known for its secure crypto hardware wallets, has started shipping new wallets almost 18 months after announcing the latest Ledger Stax devices.
The updated wallet features an E-Ink display and was designed in partnership with Tony Fadell, one of the lead designers behind the iPod. E-Ink technology is typically used for e-book readers like the Amazon Kindle or Rakuten Kobo because the screens look good in daylight and don’t require a lot of power.
After fulfilling all pre-orders, the company will list the Ledger Stax on its website as soon as it has more stock available. The reason the hardware wallet has lagged behind is that the company may have over-promised when it came to design. The Ledger Stax has a curved E-Ink display. He said it had been more difficult than expected to produce curved E-Ink displays on a large scale.
So what makes the Ledger Stax different from Ledger’s other wallets, the Nano S Plus and the Nano X? Unlike these two devices, the Ledger Stax has a larger screen with a secure touchscreen that interacts directly with the secure element of the device. It’s supposed to be 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. This means you can initiate a crypto transaction from your phone and validate it in your crypto wallet – no transfer required.
With this new wallet, Ledger also targets high-end customers. The company sold the Ledger Stax for €279 during the pre-order phase (around $300 at the current exchange rate). It won’t confirm the final retail price of the wallet, so you’ll have to wait until it’s available again on its website.
Thanks to the curved screen, customers can view certain information on the back of the device, even when it is turned off. This could be particularly useful for businesses and individuals who own multiple hardware wallets and want to stack them. The Ledger Stax also has built-in magnets for easy alignment and supports Qi wireless charging.
When it comes to security, all Ledger products are based 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 can’t protect you against social engineering and scams.
If you lose your device, you can recover your wallet using a recovery passphrase. The company also offers a subscription product in case you don’t feel comfortable with recovery phrases.
Interestingly, the Ledger Stax also marks the start of a production partnership with Foxconn, the consumer electronics manufacturing company. Previously, Ledger assembled its devices in Vierzon, France, but the Nano S Plus and Nano X devices will still be manufactured in Vierzon.
Ledger said it has sold more than 6 million devices to date and the company estimates it secures around a fifth (20%) of the world’s crypto assets.
techcrunch
