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If you’ve been on the hunt for the best Bitcoin wallet , it ends here and now. Well, this is one of the rarest statements for me to make, and I generally tend to be on the “skeptical” side of things before pointing you folks in any direction.

But the reason I started this Ledger Blue hardware wallet review with the statement of it being the best is because it truly is. (Or it was, when we first published the review and now faces competition from the Ledger Nano X)

It’s not just me, anyone who has even the remotest connections to a Bitcoin hardware wallet would agree to the fact that it was one of the most highly anticipated and waited upon Bitcoin wallets in its the early days pre-release, and post-release did live up to its sky-high claims .

As per their official news bulletin, the device was scheduled to be shipped on September 30 ^th , 2017! Which it did, and as of today 10th March, 2019 it’s officially discontinued.

As for this Ledger Blue wallet review,  I aim to dissect the wallet by every inch of its existence, which hold true till date, so let’s get started.

Ledger Blue Wallet Overview

The primary reason we ( and most of the Bitcoin community) have termed the Ledger Blue as the “Best” Bitcoin hardware wallet to have existed is because, unlike most other hardware wallets, it’s not USB-Sized, instead looks identical to a tablet.

So that also means it would feature a large enough color touchscreen and many other features which the other wallets are void of.

We would discuss the features in details, but let’s first get an overall perspective of what the wallet is made up of:

• Weight: 90gm.
• Size: 97 X 68 X 10mm
• Connector: USB Type Micro-B
• Materials used: Zemak Frame & Plastic for the case. Neodymium magnets are present as well.
• OS Support: Windows / Linux / Mac / Chrome OS
• Chipset: ST31G480 +STM32L476
• Screen: 3”5 inches / 320 X 280 Pixels.

It’s launch-price was 229.00USD, while it went upto 268USD which was its recorded selling-price.

1). User-Interface

Even though the wallet isn’t available to the public yet, I’ve tried my best to compile a sneak-peek into the wallet’s User-interface on this Ledger Blue wallet review.

We did get our hands on the device post-release, and this review has been modified accordingly.

The welcome dashboard is decorated with “Icons”, which signify various different crypto currencies including Bitcoin, DogeCoin, Ethereum and many others. This in itself is an edge it holds over other wallets, because this is the first, and only Bitcoin hardware wallet to bring forth a complete, interactive screen in the industry.

Apart from the icons, the whole user-interface thing is pretty simple and straight-forward.  The icons helps you navigate to different apps as I mentioned, and a small rectangle icon can be tapped on the top-right corner from any screen to return to the home-screen.

There’s a settings interface as well which helps you change the settings for your device. The interface which allows you to check your account, send/receive funds uses the exact same interface used by any other Ledger hardware wallet.

It’s divided into the Top-bar and the center-screen as usual. The top-screen holds the following buttons:

• Accounts
• Receive
• Send
• Settings

And the center-screen holds your current balance, and transaction details. Just like any other Ledger wallet out there so I wouldn’t beat the same drum all over again.

That’s pretty much it. Basically, we’ve established that just because it’s advanced, doesn’t mean it’s complicated. As soon as the Ledger Blue wallet is connected to your system and you fire up the Interface, your account details are automatically synced with it and you can proceed with your transactions.

2). Installation Process

As far as the Installation process goes, it couldn’t be any simpler, all thanks to the Ledger Blue’s completely interactive screen.

You turn your wallet on, and are asked to setup your 4-8 digit PIN. The best part about this is, no connection to any kind of system, internet or wifi is required to do so. Meaning it’s completely an isolated process.

Not to mention that, for the first time in Bitcoin hardware wallets’ history, you’ll be able to setup PIN codes with a complete “touch and type” interface, which generally is not the case with most other Bitcoin wallets.

The next step shows you your 24-word long recovery phrase, which you’re expected to write down on the recovery sheet provided with the wallet ( a nice touch!)

Once you’ve scribbled down the recovery phrase, they’ve added a “fail-safe” to make sure you’ve actually written down the code with care, because you’re asked to verify the code on the next step.

Once you’ve verified the code, you’re done! You can now access your Ledger wallet’s home-screen, and connect it to a computer for all other features.

This recovery phrase helps you recover your account in case you lose it, it also acts as a paper backup if you write the phrase down, and wipe your wallet clean. So the only place the Bitcoins would exist, would be on the “ recovery sheet ”, which can be used on any other hardware wallet to get your coins back.

The one primary difference you’d notice with the setup of the Ledger Blue wallet, and any other wallet is that you can actually “click” and “type” codes and PINs on the wallet itself, instead of clicking on the “ physical buttons ” as is the case with others.

Bottomline, the installation process is simpler than setting up a new cell phone, so yeah for this Ledger Blue wallet review I’d clearly rate the process a 5/5.

4). Security

Security is the most important aspect of any Hardware or software Bitcoin wallet and there’s no second-guessing that.

Now that we’ve termed the wallet “the best” wallet repeatedly throughout this Ledger Blue wallet review, it’s time to give some grounds to the claims.

• 4-8 Digit PIN: Most other Bitcoin hardware wallets support 4-digit PIN codes at most. Well, the Ledger Blue wallet let’s you configure 8 digit PIN codes as well. This adds more security for you on various levels.
• Isolated Environment: Again, where most hardware Bitcoin wallets need a connection to your system to be setup, the Ledger Blue defines its own set of rules by letting you setup the complete device without being connected to any system. So you get to choose your PIN, save your recovery code offline and only after it’s all done are you required to connect the device to a computer or the Internet.
• Isolated Private Keys: I think it goes without saying, but let me be done with it just for the record. Your Private keys are always secure, isolated, and decentralized ( using BOLOS isolation technology) . The only person having access to them is “You”, and not Ledger, or any other third party.
• Recovery Phrase: The Ledger Blue wallet let’s you choose from 3 different versions of recovery keys. 12 / 18 or 24 words. These are the words used to recover your account in case you lose your hardware wallet, or forget your PIN.
• WYSIWYS: It’s an added preventive measure developed by Peter Landrock and employed by the Ledger Blue wallet to make sure that all your digital signatures are authentic, and there is no “ Man in the Middle ” or malware attacks .
• Passphrase: Basically the passphrase is an additional “word” added to your 24-word long recovery seed. This word opens a “ new account/wallet ” which is known only to you because of this random word. So whenever this word is entered along with the rest of the recovery seed, you get access to the other secret wallet.
• Alternate PIN: It’s the an added feature to your Passphrase, because entering the passphrase everytime isn’t feasible or comfortable, you can setup an Alternate PIN which is attached to your passphrase accounts, so the next time you enter this PIN, the account hidden behind the passphrase is accessed.
• U2F Deployment: Apart from being secure in itself, the Ledger Blue wallet can also be used as a “ 2-factor authenticator ” to authenticate various services such as Google / Dropbox / or any other service supporting Fido U2F.
• “Touch and Authenticate”: Every single transaction needs to be authenticated from the physical wallet, and now you can do it by clicking ( touching) a button on the screen.
• Iron-clad Security: We did mention how it’s totally isolated and secure, but who said security is a completely “Software” business? The Ledger Blue comes with two ST31 processors, and STM32 microcontrollers, which in plain English means, your wallet is secure both from a software as well as a from hardware perspective.

Other Features

Apart from security, there are some other features as well upon which the Ledger Blue wallet prides itself so let’s get ourselves introduced.

• Secure MultiApps: You might have understood this by now if you’ve come this far down on this Ledger Blue wallet review that Ledger is obviously the most advanced Bitcoin hardware wallet existing in the industry, so one of its other advanced features is that it let’s you install and uninstall apps according to your will. This interface is built in such a way that at no times the apps will be able to gain access to your personal information such as the PIN or the recovery seed.
• 3-4 Hours Battery life: We tested the wallet’s Battery life for the purpose of this Ledger Blue hardware wallet review, and with its default sleep time of 30-seconds after screen inactivity, it lasted around 3 hours.
• Anti-theft: In case your wallet is stolen or lost, worry not, after 3 failed PIN attempts, the wallet is rendered useless so there’s not much havoc that can be caused by the perpetrator.
• Bluetooth support: Again something that makes the Ledger Blue unique is its support for Bluetooth. Although as of right now, it’s not a completely functioning feature because no Crypto apps or assets support Bluetooth for now, still it’s a nice addition which would be helpful in the near future.

After shipping quite a few Ledgers, the company realized that the installed BLE chip wasn’t as stable as it should be, hence they removed the feature altogether, and refunded people for the unavailability of Bluetooth. (Source)

5). Integrations and Currency Support

The opening paragraph of this Ledger Blue Wallet review coined the wallet as the best Bitcoin wallet, so obviously you’d be expecting nearly all the possible integrations with all the possible Blockchain assets, well fortunately, that’s exactly what the Ledger Blue delivers.

It can be integrated with the following currencies (a total of 1100+ as of today):

• Bitcoin / Litecoin / DogeCoin ( and all other Bitcoin clones).
• Ethereum
• Ripple
• Monero
• TenderMint
• HyperLedger
• Sidechains
• Komdo
• Bitcoin Cash

Not to mention the plethora of available third-party integrations including:

• All Ledger apps.
• Copay
• GreenBits
• Electrum
• Mycelium
• Bitgo

And these are just some of the possible integrations that the Ledger Blue wallet supports, with new assets constantly being added.

If you want to buy bitcoins and also looking to check other Bitcoin software or hardware wallet review then check out below given posts.

• Ledger Nano S Hardware Wallet
• Trezor Hardware wallet Review
• KeepKey Hardware Wallet Review
• Best Bitcoin wallet for computer/Web/Mobile
• How to buy Bitcoins with PayPal
• How to buy Bitcoins with Credit Card
• How to buy Bitcoins with Debit Card
• How to buy Bitcoins with Cash
• Best Trading platform for Trade
• Electrum Wallet Review
• Exodus Wallet Review
• Blockchain Wallet Review
• How to open your bitcoin account

It’s Discontinued, Should You Buy a Second-Hand Ledger Blue?

If this Ledger Blue review left an impression, or if you’ve heard enough praise-songs for the Blue, chances are you may be tempted to buy a second-hand device.

Which is the worst financial decision you can ever make!

That’s simply because on second-hand Ledgers, the first-owner would have access to the recovery seed which can be used at a later time to recover funds from your wallet without your permission.

It actually DID happen and you can read the story on the official Ledger site.

So what do you do when you still need the Ledger? Obviously you can’t purchase the Ledger Blue anymore, but Ledger didn’t just ditch us, they came up with the Blue’s successor, the Nano S.

You can read a detailed Ledger Nano S review here, which is still in stock, and available for purchase. Or you could wait for the Nano X which is being shipped this very month!

Final Words about the Ledger Blue Wallet Review

So that’s a wrap as far as this Ledger Blue wallet review goes folks. Well considering the device still isn’t out for Public use, I’d say they’ve done a great marketing job.

And if the security features are honestly as secure and strong as advertised, the Ledger could just be rewriting history, but that’s to be seen.

As for now, it’s one of the most secure, and advanced wallet in the industry, although we would love to hear your thoughts on this Ledger Blue wallet review ones you get your devices?

If you already read my previous hard wallet reviews like as Trezor wallet , KeepKey Wallet , Ledger Nano S Wallet then you already know all these don’t offer highly user-friendly environment. If you are looking most trusted, secure, user-friendly hardware wallet then this is only for you.

If you are eagerly waiting for this awesome wallet and want to make your Bitcoin security at the next level then preorder now .