French startup Ledger has begun shipping its highly anticipated Ledger Stax devices, nearly 18 months after their initial announcement. The new hardware wallet, designed in collaboration with Tony Fadell, one of the key figures behind the iPod, features a cutting-edge E-Ink display.
The E-Ink technology, similar to that used in e-book readers like the Amazon Kindle, provides a clear display in daylight while consuming minimal power. After fulfilling all pre-orders, Ledger plans to list the Ledger Stax on its website once sufficient stock becomes available.
The extended delay in shipping the Ledger Stax can be attributed to significant challenges in producing the curved E-Ink display at scale. This innovative display is larger and includes a secure touch screen that interacts directly with the device’s secure element, enhancing user-friendliness compared to the arrow buttons on other Ledger devices.
While the Nano S Plus requires a USB-C cable, both the Nano X and the Stax include a Bluetooth chip. This allows users to initiate cryptocurrency transactions from their phones and validate them on their hardware wallets wirelessly.
During the pre-order phase, Ledger initially sold the Ledger Stax for €279 (approximately $300). The final retail price has not yet been disclosed and will be announced when the wallet becomes available on the Ledger website.
In terms of security, Ledger products store users’ private keys on the device, ensuring that assets remain safe even if a computer or phone is compromised. While Ledger cannot protect against phishing attempts and social engineering scams, it offers a subscription product for additional peace of mind.
The release of the Ledger Stax also marks the beginning of a production partnership with Foxconn, a consumer electronics manufacturing giant. Previously, Ledger assembled its devices in Vierzon, France. Although the Nano S Plus and Nano X will continue to be manufactured there, the collaboration with Foxconn signifies an expansion in production capabilities.
Ledger has sold over 6 million devices to date and estimates that it secures approximately 20% of the world’s cryptocurrency assets. The company saw a sharp increase in sales following the collapse of FTX in November 2022, as consumers sought self-custody solutions to safeguard their digital assets.
