- Trezor defended hardware wallets against ZachXBT’s criticism, arguing dedicated devices remain the strongest self-custody solution for most cryptocurrency holders.
- Danny Sanders explained smartphones introduce additional security risks, while hardware wallets provide independent transaction verification and stronger private key protection.
- Roman Storm supported BIP39 passphrase adoption and air-gapped mobile signing, highlighting demand for stronger security features across crypto wallets.
Trezor has defended the role of hardware wallets after blockchain investigator ZachXBT dismissed them as unsuitable for storing cryptocurrency and signing transactions. The company argued that the criticism reflects the needs of advanced users rather than the broader crypto community.
Trezor Chief Commercial Officer Danny Sanders addressed the issue during an interview with The Starting Block. He acknowledged that hardware wallets are not perfect. However, he maintained they remain the strongest self-custody solution available for most cryptocurrency holders.
Sanders explained that experienced investors managing substantial digital assets often require layered security strategies. Even so, he argued that such specialized practices should not become general advice for every crypto owner.
He also acknowledged that balancing usability with strong security remains difficult. Nevertheless, he maintained that dismissing all hardware wallets overlooks the protection they provide to everyday users.
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Trezor Highlights Advantages of Dedicated Devices
ZachXBT recently wrote on Telegram that hardware wallets are “complete garbage” for important tasks such as storing funds and signing transactions. According to ZachXBT, users would be better served by a separate iPhone dedicated exclusively to managing cryptocurrency assets.
However, Sanders disagreed with that recommendation. He argued that smartphones introduce additional security risks because they include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular connectivity, iMessage, and other services that expand potential attack surfaces.
Moreover, Sanders explained that generating private keys directly on a smartphone creates greater exposure than generating them inside dedicated hardware devices. He also noted that hardware wallets include independent displays, allowing users to verify transaction details before authorizing transfers.
Besides protecting private keys, those separate screens reduce the possibility of malware altering transaction information without the owner’s knowledge. Consequently, Sanders described hardware wallets as the strongest self-custody solution currently available for most crypto holders.
He also emphasized that professional investors securing significant holdings often combine multiple security tools instead of relying on a single device. Therefore, he agreed that sophisticated users may require more advanced security setups while maintaining that hardware wallets remain suitable for everyday investors.
Roman Storm Calls for Better Mobile Wallet Security
Meanwhile, Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm agreed with part of ZachXBT’s argument. According to Storm, the larger issue is the limited availability of mobile wallets supporting BIP39 passphrases.
Storm explained that BIP39 passphrases provide another layer of protection if someone gains access to a user’s written recovery phrase. Additionally, he urged mobile wallet developers to introduce air-gapped transaction signing, allowing users to approve transactions without connecting devices to a network.
Conclusion
The differing views from Trezor, ZachXBT, and Roman Storm highlight contrasting approaches to cryptocurrency security. While Trezor maintains hardware wallets remain the strongest self-custody option for most users, the discussion also reflects growing demand for stronger security features across both hardware and mobile wallet ecosystems.
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