Trezor reassures its users after Ledger discovers a hardware vulnerability

Trezor confirmed a vulnerability in the TROPIC01 chip of its Safe 7 wallet, discovered by Ledger’s Donjon security team during a lab audit. However, the company specifies that no crypto or private key can be compromised through this flaw.

When two competitors cooperate to better secure the ecosystem

Donjon, Ledger’s security research division, managed to bypass certain protections of the TROPIC01 chip in a controlled laboratory setting. The team then passed their findings to Trezor, which led Tropic Square to identify a related flaw potentially exposing additional data stored on the chip.

This type of collaboration between direct competitors remains rare in the hardware wallets sector. The episode reminds us of a frequently overlooked reality: hardware security depends as much on the transparency of the actors as on the quality of engineering.

Matej Žák, CEO of Trezor, praised this approach in an official statement:

I believe that the open process through which this vulnerability was discovered, examined, and disclosed is the model that the industry should follow.

What the flaw allows, and what it does not

To succeed in an attack, a hacker would need at least three simultaneous conditions: physically possess the target device, have expensive laboratory equipment, and master advanced technical skills. Needless to say, the exploitability remains very theoretical.

Moreover, the vulnerability affects only one layer among several in the Safe 7’s security architecture. Trezor emphasizes: even if TROPIC01 is compromised, private keys and wallet backups remain inaccessible. No evidence of real exploitation has been observed to date.

This is not the first time external researchers have found vulnerabilities in hardware wallets; this exercise is part of the normal hardware security audit cycle. What is different here is Trezor’s public responsiveness and clarity of communication regarding the disclosure.

Ultimately, this episode illustrates two dynamics worth attention. First, the robustness of hardware wallets rests precisely on this layered architecture: a compromised chip does not mean a compromised wallet. 

Second, Trezor’s transparency in response to its direct competitor’s findings sends a strong signal to the entire sector. For crypto holders, the rule remains the same: protect your recovery phrase, maintain secure physical access to your device, and follow firmware updates. 

To deepen security best practices around wallets, consult our guide on the 10 best Bitcoin security tips.