Blockstream Debuts Open-source Hardware Bitcoin Wallet

The Vancouver, Canada-based major blockchain firm Blockstream said it has launched an open-source, battery-powered hardware wallet for storing bitcoin (BTC) and digital assets issued on the Liquid Network, including tokens like the stablecoin tether (USDT).

The wallet is named Blockstream Jade.

Fronted by British Bitcoin OG Adam Back, a man some internet theorists suspect may be the “real” Satoshi Nakamoto, the firm currently operates the Blockstream Green crypto wallet.

“Having our own hardware wallet will also allow us to roll out advanced hardware wallet features faster,” said Back.

And the Canadian firm stated that its new USD 39.99 wallet would initially provide Blockstream Green support for Android only, but claimed that desktop support was “right around the corner,” with iOS support to follow “soon after,” as well as “the ability to connect the hardware wallet through Bluetooth LE.”

Also, the company said it will activate a few ‘dormant’ features through software updates over the course of 2021.

“One example is the on-board camera. Once activated, the camera combined with the full-color screen will enable you to complete transactions entirely through QR codes, ensuring that you won’t even need to take the risk of connecting your Blockstream Jade to an online device through a cable or Bluetooth,” said Lawrence Nahum, Chief Architect at Blockstream.

The new device features a 1.14-inch IPS LCD display.

Meanwhile, the new hardware wallet in combination with their online wallet offers the multisignature functionality.

Blockstream’s Chief Security Officer took to Twitter to claim that users could even build their own devices at home “from scratch” if they are “worried about supply chain risk or ordering from our store.” “Advanced users,” he said “could flash Jade firmware onto an M5Stack Fire” IoT device they would have to put together using a home assembly kit.
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