On December 19, 2024, Foundation introduced its latest innovation, the Passport Prime. This groundbreaking device is touted as the world’s first personal security platform aimed at not only safeguarding your Bitcoin but also securing your entire digital life.
Foundation describes the Passport Prime as “a Swiss Army Knife for your online security.” This cutting-edge tool comes equipped with a plethora of features that assist users in managing not just their Bitcoin keys, but also a wide array of sensitive digital information. With the increasing threats to digital assets, the Passport Prime is a welcomed advancement in the security hardware sector.
What sets the Passport Prime apart? For starters, it maintains all the bitcoin wallet features available in Foundation’s previous generation device, including multisig functionality and temporary seed phrases. Here’s a closer look at its remarkable features:
- 2FA Codes App: Users can conveniently store 2FA codes offline, adding an extra layer of security.
- Security Keys App: This acts as a replacement for Yubikeys, enabling users to create multiple security keys for NFC or USB.
- Encrypted Flash Drive: Store up to 50 GB of data privately, a perfect solution for sensitive files.
- Airlock Feature: This unique feature allows users to access selected files only when the device is connected to a phone or computer.
- Custom Operating System: The Passport Prime runs on KeyOS, which facilitates sandboxed app environments, ensuring better security management.
Earlier this year, the co-founder and CEO of Foundation expressed a vision to create the “iPhone of Bitcoin hardware”. The Passport Prime represents a significant stride towards achieving this goal. According to Zach Herbert, the hardware wallet industry has stagnated, failing to innovate amid the evolving needs of digital asset management. With the Passport Prime, users can store all their private keys on one offline device, making transactions simpler and more secure.
Looking ahead, approximately by mid-2025, developers will be allowed to create third-party apps for KeyOS. This paves the way for a diverse app ecosystem. The initial offerings will include applications from Cake Wallet, designed to facilitate more private transactions using Bitcoin, Monero, and other cryptocurrencies.
Foundation assures users that despite Passport Prime’s extensive functionalities, setting it up and using it will be straightforward. The device can be initialized using Envoy, Foundation’s proprietary app that connects to the Passport Prime via QuantamLink Bluetooth. This enhanced Bluetooth technology allows encrypted communication, leveraging quantum-resistant protocols.
For added safety, users can back up their seeds utilizing a 2-of-3 Shamir Secret Sharing scheme, splitting the seed into three corresponding parts—two stored on cards and one safeguarded within the Envoy app.
The Passport Prime is slated to retail for $299 and is expected to ship by Q2 of 2025. It will be available in two stylish colors: Arctic Copper and Midnight Bronze, and its open-source nature underscores Foundation’s commitment to transparency and security.
To learn more about this innovative product, visit here.
