Ledger, the renowned French startup celebrated for its ultra-secure cryptocurrency hardware wallets, has finally commenced shipping its latest innovation, the Ledger Stax, after an 18-month wait since its announcement.
This updated wallet, developed in collaboration with Tony Fadell, a prominent figure behind the iconic iPod design, boasts an E-Ink display. E-Ink, commonly found in e-book readers like Kindle and Kobo, offers excellent daylight visibility and minimal power consumption.
After fulfilling pre-orders, Ledger plans to make the Stax available on its website, albeit with a delay attributed to challenges in delivering on its ambitious design promises, particularly concerning the curved E-Ink display, a feature unique to the Stax.
Distinguishing itself from Ledger's existing offerings like the Nano S Plus and Nano X, the Stax boasts a larger display with a secure touchscreen, simplifying user interaction compared to traditional button-based interfaces.
Unlike the Nano S Plus, which solely connects via USB-C, both the Nano X and Stax feature Bluetooth connectivity, enabling seamless transaction initiation and validation via smartphones without wires.
Priced at €279 during the pre-order phase, positioning it as a premium product, the retail price post-pre-order remains undisclosed. The curved display allows for displaying information even when the device is inactive, catering to users managing multiple wallets who may stack them.
In terms of security, Ledger's products rely on secure elements to safeguard private keys, ensuring assets remain protected even in the event of device or software compromise, though they cannot prevent social engineering attacks.
In case of loss, recovery is possible through a secret phrase, with additional subscription options available for enhanced peace of mind. Notably, the Stax heralds a production partnership with Foxconn, marking a shift from previous manufacturing in France.
Having sold over 6 million devices to date and securing an estimated 20% of global cryptocurrency assets, Ledger continues to innovate and expand its product line, reaffirming its commitment to fortifying the crypto ecosystem.