Ledger starts shipping its high-end hardware crypto wallet

French startup Ledger, mostly known for its secure crypto hardware wallets, has started shipping new wallets, roughly 18 months after announcing its latest Ledger Stax devices.

The updated wallet features an E-Ink display and was designed in collaboration with Tony Fadell, one of the main designers behind the iPod. E-Ink technology is often 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 completing all pre-orders, the company will list Ledger Stax on its website when more stock becomes available. The reason the hardware wallet is behind schedule may be because the company overpromised the design. Ledger Stax has a curved E-Ink display. It was stated that producing curved E-Ink displays at a suitable scale was more difficult than expected.

So what makes Ledger Stax different from Ledger’s other wallets, the Nano S Plus and Nano X? Unlike these two devices, the Ledger Stax has a larger screen with a secure touchscreen that directly interacts with the secure element on the device. It is claimed to be easier to use than the arrow buttons on other Ledger devices.

The Nano S Plus only works with a USB-C cable, while the Nano X and Stax also have a Bluetooth chip. This means you can initiate a crypto transaction from your phone and verify it in your crypto wallet; There is no need for a transfer.

With this new wallet, Ledger will also appeal to high-end customers. The company sold the Ledger Stax during the pre-order phase for €279 (about $300 at today’s exchange rate). You will have to wait for the wallet to become available for sale again on the website as it will not confirm the final retail price of the wallet.

Thanks to the curved screen, customers can view some information on the back of the device even when the device is turned off. This can be particularly useful for companies and individuals who own multiple hardware wallets and want to accumulate them. Ledger Stax also has built-in magnets for easy alignment and supports Qi wireless charging.

When it comes to security, all of Ledger’s products are based on a secure element where your wallet’s private keys are securely stored. They never leave your crypto wallets; This means your assets are safe even if your computer or phone is compromised. But most crypto attacks are phishing attempts anyway, 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’re not satisfied with the recovery phrases.

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Interestingly, Ledger Stax also marks the beginning of a manufacturing partnership with consumer electronics manufacturing company Foxconn. Ledger previously 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 estimates the company has secured approximately one-fifth (20%) of the world’s crypto assets.