Universala French startup mostly known for its secure crypto hardware wallets has started shipping new wallets nearly 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 master designers behind the iPod. E-Ink technology is generally used for e-book readers like Amazon Kindle or Rakuten Kobo because the screens look good in daylight and don’t require a lot of power.
After all pre-orders are fulfilled, the company will list the Ledger Stax on its website once it has more inventory available. The reason the hardware wallet fell behind schedule is that the company may have overpromised on the design front. The Ledger Stax features a curved E-Ink display. He said it was more difficult than expected to produce curved E-Ink displays at scale.
So what makes Ledger Stax different from other Ledger wallets, the Nano S Plus and Nano X? Unlike these two devices, the Ledger Stax has a larger display with a secure touchscreen that interacts directly with the security element on the device. It’s supposed to be easier to use than the arrow buttons on the other Ledger devices.
While the Nano S Plus only works with a USB-C cable, the Nano X and Stax also have Bluetooth chips. It means you can initiate a crypto transaction from your phone and validate it in your crypto wallet — no cable required.
With this new wallet, Ledger is also targeting high-end customers. The company sold the Ledger Stax for €279 during the pre-order phase (about $300 at today’s exchange rate). He hasn’t confirmed the final retail price for the wallet, so you’ll have to wait for it to become available on his website again.
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 companies and individuals who own multiple hardware wallets and want to stack them. Ledger Stax also has built-in magnets for easy alignment and supports Qi wireless charging.
In terms of security, all Ledger products are based on a secure component where your wallet’s private keys are securely stored. They never leave your crypto wallets, which means that even if your computer or phone is hacked, your assets are safe. However, most crypto hacks are phishing attempts anyway — and Ledger can’t protect you from 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 are not comfortable with recovery phrases.
Interestingly, Ledger Stax also marks the beginning of a manufacturing partnership with consumer electronics maker Foxconn. 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 about one-fifth (20%) of global crypto assets.
