Ledger has started shipping its high-end cryptocurrency wallet Stax

French startup Ledger, known mostly for its secure hardware crypto wallets, has begun shipping new wallets 18 months after announcing its latest Ledger Stax devices.

The updated wallet features an E-Ink display and was developed in collaboration with Tony Fadell, one of the iPod’s chief designers. E-Ink technology is commonly used in e-book readers like the Amazon Kindle or Rakuten Kobo because their displays look good in daylight and don’t require a lot of power.
After all pre-orders are fulfilled, the company will post the Ledger Stax on its website as soon as it has more stock. The reason the hardware wallet is behind schedule is because the company may have overdone the design. The Ledger Stax features a curved E-Ink display. The company has said that manufacturing curved E-Ink displays has been more difficult than expected.

The company said that the curved E-Ink displays are more difficult to produce than expected.

What makes the Ledger Stax different from Ledger’s other wallets, the Nano S Plus and Nano X? Unlike those two devices, the Ledger Stax features a larger display with a secure touchscreen that interacts directly with the secure element of the device. It’s supposedly easier to use than the arrow buttons on other Ledger devices. While the Nano S Plus only works with a USB-C cable, the Nano X and Stax are also equipped with a Bluetooth chip. That means you can initiate a cryptocurrency transaction from your phone and confirm it on your cryptocurrency wallet — no wire is required.

The Nano S Plus and Nano X Plus are also equipped with a USB-C cable.

With the release of the new wallet, Ledger is also looking to attract high-end customers. The company was selling the Ledger Stax for 279 euros at the pre-order stage (about $300 at today’s exchange rate). It hasn’t confirmed the wallet’s final retail price, so you’ll have to wait for it to go back on sale on its website.
Thanks to the curved display, buyers will be able to display some information on the device’s spine even when it’s turned off. This could be especially useful for companies and individuals who own multiple hardware wallets and want to accumulate them. The Ledger Stax also has built-in magnets for easy alignment and supports Qi wireless charging.

The Ledger Stax also has built-in magnets for easy alignment and supports Qi wireless charging.

When it comes to security, all Ledger products are based on a secure element where your wallet’s private keys are securely stored. They never leave the crypto wallets, which means that even if your computer or phone is hacked, your funds will be safe. However, most cryptocurrency hacks — are phishing attempts, and Ledger can’t protect you from social engineering and fraud.

And Ledger can’t protect you from social engineering and fraud.

If you lose your device, you can recover your wallet with a secret recovery passphrase. The company also offers a subscription in case you’re not comfortable using recovery phrases.
Interestingly, Ledger Stax also marks the beginning of a manufacturing partnership with Foxconn, a consumer electronics company. Ledger previously assembled its devices in Vierzon, France, but the Nano S Plus and Nano X devices will continue to be manufactured in Vierzon.

Ledger Stax will be assembled in Vierzon.

Ledger said it has sold more than 6 million units to date and estimates it secures about one-fifth (20%) of the world’s crypto assets.