ZachXBT Recommends Dedicated iPhone Amid Controversy Over Cryptocurrency Wallet Security

Controversy Over the Security and Usability of Hardware Wallets

On-chain investigator ZachXBT criticized hardware wallets for being unsuitable for storing cryptocurrencies and signing important transactions, recommending instead the use of a dedicated iPhone for such purposes.

In response, rebuttals and alternatives have been presented by Trezor, wallet developers, and security professionals, sparking a debate over the most suitable methods for self-managing cryptocurrencies.

ZachXBT Raises Usability Concerns and Advocates for a Dedicated iPhone

On Thursday, July 16, 2026, ZachXBT posted on Telegram, asserting that hardware wallets are "completely useless" for critical functions such as signing transactions and storing funds. He suggested that it would be better to prepare a dedicated iPhone solely for cryptocurrency-related activities.

His criticism was primarily directed at Ledger, highlighting issues with frequent UI changes due to updates in Ledger Live and interruptions in basic operations. He also pointed out that in situations requiring urgent high-value transactions, problems such as battery depletion, mandatory upgrades for devices or software, and site malfunctions that hinder signing multi-signature transactions could pose significant obstacles.

On the other hand, ZachXBT did not state that a new breach had occurred at Ledger, nor did he provide evidence indicating that private keys had recently been leaked. Regarding the dedicated iPhone, it was suggested that avoiding browsing, messaging, and the use of unrelated apps could potentially reduce exposure to malicious links and compromised software.

Trezor Points Out the Broader Attack Surface

Danny Sanders, Chief Commercial Officer of Trezor, countered that smartphones have a broader potential attack surface due to features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular connections, and iMessage, compared to hardware wallets.

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