Despite the price recently crossing $100k and then reaching an all-time high (in dollars), the media have been unusually quiet.
Meanwhile, companies and even entire countries continue signaling support and acquiring bitcoin behind the scenes.
With soaring inflation in countries like Turkey and Argentina, Bitcoin is also hitting all-time highs there, all while educational programs like Trezor Academy are onboarding the next wave of Bitcoiners. More people are looking at Bitcoin as the solution to their problem.
The general consensus? The market feels disconnected from what’s really happening in Bitcoin. Bullish.
Keep reading to learn about how we’re preparing for quantum technology, and what’s been happening in Bitcoin this month.
Welcome to Trezor Pulse! This month, we’re sharing self-custody tips, second wallet strategies, Trezor Suite updates, and a five-star review we can’t stop smiling about.
Let’s dive into the latest updates and insights from Trezor.
Hi,
I’m Josef Tětek, Trezor Academy Lead at Trezor.
You’ve probably heard about Trezor Academy, our global, non-profit initiative that accelerates Bitcoin adoption through free, in-person education. But you might not know that Alex Gladstein’s book Check Your Financial Privilege inspired the whole thing! It showed that Bitcoin helping out with financial inclusion wasn’t just a theory and that it is actually already happening. It’s already fixing broken systems around the world.
That’s when I knew we had to support bottom-up, community-led education. At Trezor Academy, I work with local leaders who are trusted in their communities and can teach Bitcoin in the proper cultural context. You can’t just fly in as an outsider and preach. Local adoption needs local voices.
The reality? In many parts of Africa and South America, fiat money doesn’t work. As a store of value or as a medium of exchange, the infrastructure and credibility simply aren’t there. Cross-border payments are often impossible… unless you use Bitcoin.
This is where the real Bitcoin revolution is happening. Bitcoin’s future may well be decided in the Global South, as it offers a strong alternative to fiat money’s most pressing issues and is permissionless, unlike any other potential solution. Bitcoin thrives in hostile financial environments, which then drives adoption and innovation.
One example is Machankura, a project that lets users send and receive sats using a phone number. Communities across eight African countries (and counting!) already use the Lightning Network on basic mobile phones. Projects like this are reshaping entire economies. In many ways, the Bitcoin economy is more advanced in Africa than Europe or America, and the population is far younger.
If you’re not paying attention to Bitcoin’s revolution in the Global South, you probably should be.
Thanks to everyone supporting this project, from local organizers to Bitcoiners, for spreading the word.
SLIP-39 backups are supported by Trezor Model T, Trezor Safe 3, and Trezor Safe 5.
Can I upgrade my existing BIP-39 wallet to SLIP-39 directly?
No. SLIP-39 is a different backup standard. To switch, you’ll need to create a new SLIP-39 wallet and transfer your funds to it.
Can I upgrade a SLIP-39 backup later?
Yes. If you start with a 20-word Single-Share backup, you can upgrade to a Multi-Share setup anytime using Trezor Suite. Your original backup will still work unless you choose to retire it.
Can I use a passphrase with BIP-39 and SLIP-39?
Yes, but it introduces a new single point of failure. If you lose or forget the passphrase, your wallet can’t be recovered, even with the correct backup. Make sure you write it down and don’t lose it.
What if Trezor stops making hardware wallets?
BIP-39 and SLIP-39 are open standards supported by multiple wallets. Even if Trezor were unavailable, you could recover your wallet using other compatible devices or software.
Is SLIP-39 compatible with multisig?
Yes. SLIP-39 can be used to securely back up one of the keys in a multisig wallet. If the original device is lost or unavailable, the key can be restored using the SLIP-39 shares and imported to a new device.
How many shares can I create with SLIP-39?
Up to 16 shares. More shares can offer more flexibility, but they’re also harder to keep track of.
What happens if I lose a SLIP-39 share?
As long as you still have the required number of shares (the threshold), you can recover your wallet. With fewer than the threshold, recovery is not possible — and no usable information about the wallet or keys can be extracted. If you believe one or more shares may have been compromised, it’s safest to create a new wallet and move your funds.
Why use Multi-Share instead of just splitting a regular backup myself?
SLIP-39 uses cryptography to split your backup securely. Any number of shares fewer than the threshold reveal nothing on their own. Manually splitting a BIP-39 phrase (e.g. writing half in one place, half in another) doesn’t offer the same protection and increases the risk of accidental loss or compromise.
What is the difference between a 12-word and a 24-word BIP-39 backup? Is 24 words safer?
A 24-word backup has more entropy, but a 12-word backup is already unguessable in practice. Even with billions of supercomputers, it would take longer than the age of the universe to brute-force.
What matters most isn’t the number of words — it’s keeping your backup safe, private, and offline.
Why does SLIP-39 use 20 words?
SLIP-39 uses 20 words because each share includes extra information — like group and threshold data — and a stronger checksum to detect errors. The longer format helps ensure each share is unique, verifiable, and secure.
Should I upgrade to SLIP-39?
If your BIP-39 backup is secure and works well for you, there’s no urgent need to switch. However, if you’re looking for enhanced security, flexibility, or worry about a single point of failure, SLIP-39 might be a better option.
Welcome to Trezor Pulse! We’re excited to bring you the latest updates and stories from across Trezor, as we continue to create innovative solutions that empower you to safeguard your crypto. In this edition, we explore the balance of design and security that makes Trezor unique, highlight recent developments, and celebrate moments that connect and grow our community. Plus, Adam Budinsky, our Head of Hardware, has a special message about the philosophy guiding our product design.
Over to you, Adam
Hi there,
Adam here, Head of Hardware at Trezor.
Designing hardware is about more than just creating devices. It’s about giving you the power to secure your financial independence and privacy with confidence, without a second thought. From the start, my team and I have been focused on one goal: building products that balance simplicity and security, so you can manage your crypto with ease.
At Trezor, we’re committed to more than just building for today. Our mission is to design tools that prioritize security, privacy, and usability, empowering you to maintain full control of your crypto for the long term. Because we’re open source, it’s not about asking for your trust — it’s about providing transparency, giving you the ability to verify and audit your security at every step.
Personally, I’m inspired every day by the challenge of making complex technology simple and empowering. Knowing that the products we create help people like you safeguard your financial freedom is what drives us forward.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We’ll continue to build on this foundation, ensuring that your digital freedom is secure for the future.
Adam Budinsky
Head of Product (Hardware) at Trezor
In October, we showcased our Trezor Safe 5 and Trezor Expert service at ETHMilan 2024, Italy’s largest Ethereum and Web3 conference. It was the perfect place to exchange ideas with global blockchain enthusiasts and highlight what sets Trezor apart. Who knows — you might see us at an event near you soon!
Back in Cologne, we engaged with the German-speaking crypto community at the BlockTrainer Community Event. We introduced new features like the Smart Trading Engine and gained valuable feedback. Events like these are vital in shaping our future and strengthening our bond with the community.
When we’re not working on new innovations, we’re building connections that fuel our mission. Our team recently enjoyed a memorable surf trip to Portugal, where we blended adventure, relaxation, and camaraderie. Days were spent catching waves, while evenings were for stories, laughter, and reflection at the cozy Captain’s Log.
Closer to home, our business team came together for a three-day bonding retreat filled with frisbee matches, campfire conversations, and countless moments that strengthened our shared vision. Teamwork drives our success — and this was a powerful reminder of that.
The Trezor Safe 3 continues to impress with its simplicity, security, and ease of use. Over a year on the market, it’s still winning over users, and your stories motivate us every day.
Here’s what some of you had to say:
“Great design, easy set up, good price.” — Edmund
“I highly recommend this wallet for ease-of-use and top-of-the-line security.” — Frank Curtis
“It’s literally perfect for my needs. Simple to set up, simple to use.” — Jonathan Laliberte
We’re thrilled to introduce the Smart Trading Engine in Trezor Suite, making it easier to buy, sell, and swap crypto securely from your hardware wallet. The engine evaluates multiple offers to ensure you get the best deals, providing the convenience and safety you expect from Trezor.
Additionally, you can now buy crypto with PayPal through our partnership with MoonPay, streamlining the purchase process.
And don’t miss Trezor Talks, our new podcast featuring insights from industry leaders and Trezor experts.
Stay secure, stay informed, and enjoy every step of your crypto journey.
The good news? They all mean the same thing! But for new users, this terminology can be confusing when securing their assets.
At Trezor, we previously used the term “recovery seed.” However, after seeing firsthand how it caused confusion, we decided to simplify it.
Because honestly, how many new people can understand what a “seed phrase” is? It’s not intuitive, especially when the device we use to secure your crypto is called a hardware wallet. It’s easy to get lost in jargon, which only delays taking control of your crypto!
It’s exactly what it sounds like. If you lose your device and need to recover your wallet, use your wallet backup.
Our wallet backup can look like this:
Or this:
Even this:
(We’ll explain this below!)
Think of your wallet backup as the key or master password to your crypto wallet.
If your Trezor hardware wallet is damaged, you’ll need this wallet backup to recover your funds. Without it, you cannot access, transfer, or manage your funds.
It should be kept in a safe place because without it, you could be permanently locked out of your crypto.
When setting up a new wallet, you’ll be asked to write down a list of 12, 20, or 24-word words.
This list of words, generated by your hardware wallet, is your wallet backup. It represents a private key that grants access to your wallet, which holds your assets securely on the blockchain.
“But what about that crazy list of numbers above? Is that also my wallet backup?”
Here’s a fun fact… your wallet backup doesn’t actually start as a list of words!
It originates as a long, random string of mathematically derived characters, which is then converted into words to make it human-readable… crazy, huh?
Another fun fact:Trezor’s founders pioneered this approach!
Once we found a way to translate private key data into simple words, it became the industry standard.
(Just another reason to choose Trezor… humble brag 😉)
Solana staking is now available in Trezor Suite, providing a secure and self-custodial way to grow your SOL holdings.
Unlike other staking solutions, staking using your Trezor hardware wallet ensures you remain in full control of your funds at all times, with no intermediaries or custodians involved.
By staking SOL, you contribute to network security and earn up to 7% APY in rewards — all while benefiting from the proven security of Trezor Suite.
Solana staking allows you to delegate your SOL tokens to a validator, who helps validate transactions and maintain the blockchain. In return, you receive SOL rewards, similar to how savings accounts generate interest.
When staking SOL in Trezor Suite, users delegate their SOL to our staking partner, Everstake. Established in 2018, Everstake is a validator trusted by 735K+ users across 70+ blockchain networks.
Fun fact: Approximately $1B of SOL (~1.5% of all staked SOL) staked with Everstake.
When you stake your SOL in Trezor Suite:
Your funds remain in your control
Only you can withdraw them
Rewards are automatically compounded, maximizing your staking potential
You can unstake anytime, with a short cool-down period of 1 epoch (approximately 2–3 days) before your SOL is fully available.
Instead of leaving your Solana tokens unused, staking allows you to grow your holdings while strengthening the Solana network.
Here’s why it’s worth considering:
Grow your SOL holdings: Receive up to 7% APY while holding your SOL.
Support the network: Your stake contributes towards helping secure the Solana blockchain and process transactions.
While many platforms offer staking, Trezor Suite provides the key advantage of complete security while staking your tokens.
Unlike custodial services that hold your funds, staking using your Trezor hardware wallet keeps your SOL tokens in your control at all times.
Trezor Suite makes staking SOL tokens simple & secure. Users benefit from:
100% security Your keys. Your Coins. Your Rewards. You own your keys, and only you can access your funds.
Seamless staking Delegate SOL in just a few clicks through Trezor Suite’s intuitive interface.
Competitive APY Maximize your staking returns with up to 7% APY, among the most competitive rates in the Solana ecosystem.
Automatic reward compounding Enjoy rewards that automatically compound, maximizing your returns over time.
Low minimum requirement Stake as little as 0.01 SOL, making it accessible for all users.
Learn more here:
Getting started with staking SOL in Trezor Suite is quick and easy. Check out our step-by-step guide here:
Is my SOL locked when I stake? Yes, but you can unstake at any time. A short cooling-off period of 1 epoch (approximately 2–3 days) applies before your SOL becomes fully available again.
How often do I receive staking rewards? Rewards are updated and distributed at the end of each epoch (2–3 days), with no manual intervention needed.
Can I stake less than 1 SOL? Yes! With Trezor Suite, you can stake as little as 0.01 SOL, making it easy for anyone to participate.
What happens if I want to stop staking? You can unstake anytime. After the cooling-off period (1 epoch which is approximately 2–3 days), your SOL will be available in your wallet.
Trezor Suite’s Solana Staking offers a secure, user-friendly way to earn up to 7% APY, empowering users to grow their SOL holdings effortlessly.
Keep full control of your tokens while contributing to the Solana network’s security and scalability.
