LedgerA French startup primarily known for its secure crypto hardware wallets, began shipping new wallets almost 18 months after announcing the latest Ledger Stax devices.
The updated wallet features an E-Ink display and has been designed in partnership with Tony Fadell, one of the lead designers behind the iPod. E-Ink technology is generally used for e-book readers like the Amazon Kindle or the Rakuten Kobo because the screens look good in daylight and don’t require much power.
After all pre-orders are completed, the company will list Ledger Stax on its website once it has more stock available. The reason why the hardware wallet was delayed is that the company may have promised too much on the design front. The Ledger Stax features a curved e-ink display. He said it has been more difficult than expected to produce curved e-ink displays at scale.
So what sets Ledger Stax apart from other Ledger wallets? NanoS Plus and the nano-x? Unlike those two devices, the Ledger Stax features a larger display with a secure touchscreen that interacts directly with the secure element of 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 in your crypto wallet, no bank transfer required.
With this new wallet, Ledger is also targeting high-end clients. The company sold the Ledger Stax for 279 euros 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 for it to be back in stock on their website.
Thanks to the curved screen, customers can display certain 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 accumulate 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 stored securely. They never leave their crypto wallets, meaning that even if your computer or phone is compromised, your assets are safe. However, most cryptocurrency hacks are phishing attempts, and Ledger cannot protect you against 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 don’t feel comfortable with the recovery phrases.
Interestingly, Ledger Stax also marks the beginning 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 continue to 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.
