Ledger’s New Crypto Hardware Wallet Nano X Comes with Mobile Bluetooth Support
by Fintechnews Switzerland January 24, 2019Cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger has unveiled a new signature product, the Ledger Nano X, a Bluetooth-enabled hardware wallet with enhanced security and an improved user experience and design.
Ledger Nano X device and the Ledger Live Mobile app
Just like the Ledger Nano S cryptocurrency hardware wallet, the Ledger Nano X is a USD stick, but with Bluetooth connectivity, users will be able to connect with their smartphone wirelessly, and thanks to the new Ledger Live Mobile app, scheduled to be released on the App Store and Google Play on January 28, they will be able to manage secure transactions and check their real-time balances on the go, enabling for increased mobility without sacrificing security.
A hardware wallet is a special type of cryptocurrency wallet which stores the user’s private keys in a secure hardware device. They have major advantages over standards software wallets such as being immune to computer viruses, they can be used securely and interactively, and private keys are often stored in a protected area of a microcontroller and never need to touch potentially vulnerable software.
Beside Ledger, which has sold over 1.5 million Ledger Nano S devices, other popular manufacturers include Satoshi Labs, the developer behind the TREZOR wallet, and KeepKey.
Speaking to Mashable, Eric Larchevêque, CEO at Ledger, assured that Bluetooth connectivity doesn’t compromise the Ledger Nano X’s security. Larchevêque said:
“The private keys don’t leave the device, whether you connect via Bluetooth or via USB cable. And even if someone could somehow hack your Bluetooth connection, you still see which address you’re sending coins to on the device’s screen itself.”
Even if the Bluetooth connection would be hacked, the Ledger Nano X would still request users’ consent for any action. Additionally, if users are not comfortable using the device with a wireless connection, they can disable the Bluetooth and use the USB type-C cable.
The Ledger Nano X was unveiled earlier this month at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES), an annual trade show held in Las Vegas that hosts presentations of new products and technologies in the consumer electronics industry.
At the event, the Ledger Nano X was awarded the CES Innovation Award in Cyber Security and Personal Privacy for 2019. The CES Innovation Awards recognize outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products that protect and enhance digital security.
“The Ledger Nano X includes all of what you loved about your Nano S, but with new and improved major features,” Larchevêque said in a statement. “With its Bluetooth connectivity and increased capacity, the Ledger Nano X provides an enhanced user experience while delivering the mobility and state-of-the-art security that customers expect from Ledger. It is exciting to be recognized by CES as the go-to leader for securing crypto assets.”
The Ledger Nano X can store up to 100 crypto assets, or six times more than the Ledger Nano S, and supports over 1,100 different cryptocurrencies. The device includes an improved interface with a larger screen and features Ledger’s cutting-edge security which isolates private keys from owner’s computer or smartphone, which are easily hackable.
“As global data-ization continues to change people’s lives, users are looking for trusted partners to protect their critical digital assets,” said Pascal Gauthier, president of Ledger. “At Ledger, we offer customers a way to secure these assets, through our state-of-the-art technology. With the Ledger Nano X, we are delivering increased security, along with improved access through the new Ledger Live mobile app.”
The Ledger Nano X costs US$119 in the US and 119 euros in Europe and will be available in March 2019. Pre-orders started on January 7. The Ledger Nano S costs US$69.99 and will remain a part of the company’s lineup.
Founded in 2014, Ledger is a cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer headquartered in Paris and San Francisco.
