Bitcoin Magazine
Ledger Nano Gen5 debuts affordable hardware security for AI-driven digital identities
Ledger, the most popular cryptocurrency wallet company and one of the oldest in the industry, has announced its newest and most advanced security hardware, the Ledger Nano.
Gen5. Taking the capabilities of previous Ledger devices to the next level, the Gen5 also arrives at a surprisingly low price compared to its predecessors.
Ledger has sold more than “8 million devices in 165 countries, across more than 10 languages, and over 100 financial institutions and business brands,” according to a press release shared with Bitcoin Magazine. “More than 20% of the world’s crypto assets are insured by Ledger,” the company claims.
Ledger Nano The Gen5 is 79.40mm long, 53.35mm wide and 8.64mm thick with a Ledger EAL 6+ certified safe element (ST33K1M5). The E Ink® black and white capacitive touchscreen has a 2.76-inch resolution, 400 x 300 pixels and 181 ppi. It weighs 46 grams and has USB-C connectivity, Bluetooth® 5.2, and NFC.
The device comes with “Ledger recovery key“Included in the box is a highly secure smart card designed to back up the 12- to 24-word passphrase that users create when setting up the device. The Ledger recovery key connects to devices such as the Gen5 via encrypted NFC,Unlock a new, easy-to-use backup devicewhich is a pin pRound in comfort. While the name Ledger Recovery Key may at first glance be a bit confusing, the smart card should arrive blank upon initial purchase and is loaded by users during hardware wallet setup, when they create their passphrase at home.
Signers instead of hardware wallets
Ledger has also decided to rebrand its hardware to be signed instead of hardware wallets, a move that breaks more than a decade of tradition in the cryptocurrency industry. This bold move reflects a shift in the industry towards securing more than just cryptocurrency wealth – secure digital identity from an “AI-accelerated world.” The rebranding also applies to their main software wallet, formerly known as “Ledger Live,” which is now called Ledger Wallet.
A subtle change in wording could address the confusion new users may face when entering the cryptocurrency industry, and perhaps more closely align with the functionality of these security devices and interfaces. However, it remains to be seen how users respond. Ledger was clear that Gen5 is simply expanding its security offerings into the world of identity, while “it will continue to operate as millions know it now” when it comes to securing their cryptocurrency transactions.
Protect your digital identity
When it comes to identity, the world is going through a transformation. Physical IDs are no longer enough; Multiple image generation models have demonstrated sufficient quality to fool identity systems, while identities stolen from major data breaches are regularly used to commit identity fraud. The only viable solution to the digital identity problem is strong encryption, and Ledger is clearly aware of this growing trend.
To support secure identity and logging capabilities, Gen5 and its Ledger Security Key cards support the FIDO2 Passkeys standard that spreads across the web. NFC, which stands for near-field communication, is a fairly secure short-range antenna that has been used in credit cards for decades. The standard is also being rapidly adopted by cryptographic wallets for the same reasons: It’s easy to use for things like approving a recording, while also providing a high degree of security, due to its short range and simplicity.
Bluetooth technology is also integrated into the Gen5, giving the device a wider range of functions. Bluetooth has also become a popular feature among hardware wallets and major exchanges, although it is a feature that is often criticized, due to the high complexity of its code and the long range with which it can be interacted with. Some hardware wallets even choose to skip Bluetooth altogether. While the press release did not explicitly address how Gen5 will secure users against risks posed by Bluetooth, the industry standard is to distrust the chip, separate it from other capabilities, and only use it for encrypted communications across devices.
On the interface front, the Gen5 supports advanced security features like “Clear Signing” and “Transaction Check,” which feature beautiful e-ink.® The touchscreen is likely to provide a more natural and intuitive feel. The press release also explains Gen5’s new identity capabilities, noting that “users can now connect their Ledger directly to popular decentralized applications, like 1inch, for seamless and secure experiences,” adding that “Ledger is integrating Noah, known as Cash-To-Stablecoin, enabling users to top up their wallet with fiat currencies.” (USD or EUR) quickly without additional fees, and instant conversion to stablecoins (USDC)” enables the “easy” use of stablecoins in cross-chain transactions, which is another fast-growing trend.
High-end technology at a reasonable price
When it comes to price, the Ledger Nano Gen5 is significantly less expensive than its predecessors, while maintaining the large touchscreen that has distinguished newer generations of Ledger devices. The Gen5 comes in at more than half the price of the Ledger Stax, and costs $179, which is a very competitive and accessible price among modern crypto hardware wallets.
Pascal Gauthier, Chairman and CEO of Ledger, proudly noted in the press release, “The all-new Ledger Nano is designed to meet today’s challenges and opportunities, and is ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. It’s the new cosigner for everyone, available at an accessible price, with the best security and user interface on the market. The next generation of Ledger starts today.”
The post Ledger Nano Gen5 Affordable Hardware Security for AI-Driven Digital Identities first appeared in Bitcoin Magazine and was written by Juan Galt.
The post Ledger Nano Gen5 Debuts Affordable Hardware Security for AI-Driven Digital Identities first appeared on Investorempires.com.
