Changpeng Zhao, co-founder of Binance, proposed that hardware wallets should feature transparent casings to allow users to visually inspect devices for tampering. This suggestion follows reports from October 9 and 10 regarding a supply-chain attack on Ledger devices sold by the Southeast Asian reseller CryptoBilis.
The incident reportedly led to losses of approximately $86 million in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and TRON. Zhao noted that the issue appears isolated to a single vendor rather than a flaw in Ledger's product design. He emphasized that the primary risk lies in the supply chain path rather than the hardware itself.
The proposal coincides with the launch of tampered.app, a tool designed to detect anomalies in wallets from brands such as Ledger, OneKey, and Trezor. Zhao also reaffirmed his support for self-custody and highlighted YZi Labs' investments in various wallet products, including SafePal and Trust Wallet.
Transparent designs are already being explored, as seen in the Crystal wallet prototype, which uses a clear epoxy casing to expose internal components. However, experts note that visibility is only effective if users can identify unauthorized modifications, making secure sourcing and detection tools essential.
