Hardware wallets, long considered the gold standard of security in the cryptocurrency world, have received an unexpected blow from the well-known on-chain detective ZachXBT. In his recent analysis, he stated that these devices are not suitable for signing critical transactions or storing large sums of assets.
The analyst proposed an alternative solution: purchase a separate iPhone and manage cryptocurrency exclusively through it. In his opinion, an isolated mobile device with carefully selected software provides a higher level of protection than popular hardware wallets.
Why is Ledger the worst choice?
The Ledger brand came under particularly harsh criticism. ZachXBT called it the worst option among major manufacturers. The main complaint is the frequent software updates of Ledger Live, which, according to the detective, systematically disrupt the device's basic functionality. Users encounter connection errors, synchronization failures, and unstable application performance, which at a critical moment could lead to loss of access to funds.
This statement resonates especially strongly against the backdrop of recent scandals surrounding Ledger, including a customer data leak and the introduction of the Ledger Recover seed phrase recovery feature, which sparked a wave of discontent in the community.
My expert opinion: Although ZachXBT's criticism looks convincing, hardware wallets should not be completely written off. For long-term storage of large sums, they still remain a safer option than hot wallets. However, the recommendation to use a separate iPhone deserves attention — it could indeed be a reasonable compromise between convenience and security for active traders who make frequent transactions.