Can you still trust hardware wallets?
What the 2026 implant and entropy incidents mean for hardware wallets, and the habits that keep them safe.
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Why the debate is back
In 2026 two incidents made headlines: an implant found inside Ledger devices sold by a third-party reseller, and a Coldcard firmware bug that made some seeds predictable. Both were real, and both had clear lessons.
The habits that matter
Buy only from the maker's official store. Check device authenticity and firmware with the maker's tools. Consider adding your own dice rolls when creating a seed. Never type your seed phrase into a computer or phone. For larger amounts, consider multisig across different vendors.
FAQ
- Is a hot wallet safer then?
- Usually not for savings: a phone or computer is online and exposed to malware. A genuine, properly set-up hardware wallet is still a strong option.
On the site
Original bitcointalk.org threads
- Hardware wallets — should they still be recommended as safe? · 30 replies / 271 views (as of 13 Oct 2026)
- Don't buy wallets from third parties · 70 replies / 699 views (as of 13 Oct 2026)
- Human error vs hackers · 69 replies / 588 views (as of 13 Oct 2026)
Our own explanation; forum threads are linked, not copied. Not investment advice.
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