Ethereum Foundation launches Universal Ethereum Signer on Passport Prime
The Ethereum Foundation has launched the Universal Ethereum Signer app, operating on hardware maker Foundation's KeyOS and Passport Prime device. The app, developed by Ledger co-founder Nicolas Bacca, marks the first time the Ethereum Foundation has collaborated on a signing application for hardware wallet-like devices.
The Ethereum Foundation has launched its Universal Ethereum Signer app, designed to run on hardware firm Foundation's KeyOS operating system and Passport Prime signing device. The initiative marks the first time the Ethereum Foundation has collaborated on a signing app tailored for hardware wallet-like devices, according to journalist Laura Shin.[1][2][3]
The application was built by Ledger co-founder Nicolas Bacca, Foundation co-founder and CEO Zach Herbert said on an episode of Unchained Premium. During the beta period, users will sideload the Universal Ethereum Signer onto KeyOS. A future App Catalog is planned to let trusted developers push updates directly, comparable to F-Droid on GrapheneOS.[2]
Herbert explained that KeyOS assigns each application a hardened child key instead of granting access to the master seed. The operating system utilizes a microkernel of roughly 9,000 lines of code, which Foundation plans to formally verify and which Herbert noted is far easier to audit than the Linux kernel's 40 million lines. KeyOS also incorporates Magic Backups, which split a seed into three Shamir shares across two NFC cards and a smartphone, restoring encrypted device data without keeping an email address or username on file.[2][3]
The $349 Passport Prime hardware device is built in an ITAR-certified US facility equipped with active anti-tamper switches. Herbert highlighted that he aims for Passport to serve as a neutral platform rather than a companion application focused around swap and on-ramp fees.[2]
Key facts
- The Ethereum Foundation launched the Universal Ethereum Signer app on Foundation's KeyOS operating system and Passport Prime device.
- The app was built by Ledger co-founder Nicolas Bacca.
- This marks the first time the Ethereum Foundation has collaborated on a signing app for hardware wallet-like devices.
- Users will sideload the Universal Ethereum Signer onto KeyOS during its beta phase.
- KeyOS grants each app a hardened child key rather than access to the master seed.
- KeyOS runs on an approximately 9,000-line microkernel that Foundation plans to formally verify.
- Magic Backups divide a seed into three Shamir shares across two NFC cards and a phone, restoring data without retaining usernames or emails.
- Passport Prime costs $349 and is manufactured in an ITAR-certified US facility featuring active anti-tamper switches.
Sources · 3 sources
- CB
Crypto BriefingArticle ·
Ethereum Foundation launches Universal Ethereum Signer app on Passport Prime The launch signifies a shift towards decentralized security solutions, potentially broadening Ethereum's accessibility and user autonomy. The post Ethereum Foundation launches Universal Ethereum Signer app on Passport Prime appeared first on Crypto Briefing .
Open source - UN
UnchainedArticle ·
Why the Ethereum Foundation Is Launching a Signing App on Passport Prime In this episode of Unchained Premium, Zach Herbert, co-founder and CEO of Foundation, joined Laura to talk about the Ethereum Foundation’s new Universal Ethereum Signer app, built by Ledger co-founder Nicolas Bacca, which runs on Foundation’s KeyOS operating system and Passport Prime device. The conversation covers why Herbert calls Foundation’s signing devices “human authority hardware,” how KeyOS gives each app a hardened child key instead of the master seed, and why a 9,000-line microkernel is easier to audit than the Linux kernel’s 40 million lines. Herbert also walks through Magic Backups, which split a seed into three Shamir shares across two NFC cards and a phone, and why Foundation manufactures in an ITAR-certified US facility. With more people suggesting a dedicated iPhone instead of a hardware wallet, why does Herbert think a $349 device is worth it? Listen to find out! Show Highlights: Why Foundation calls signers “human authority hardware” How users will sideload the Ethereum Foundation’s Universal Ethereum Signer onto KeyOS during the beta Why each KeyOS app gets a hardened child key rather than access to the master seed How a roughly 9,000-line microkernel compares with the Linux kernel’s 40 million lines, and Foundation’s plan for formal verification How Magic Backups split a seed into three Shamir shares and restore encrypted device data with no email or username on file Why Foundation builds Passport Prime in an ITAR-certified US facility with active anti-tamper switches How the coming App Catalog will let trusted developers push updates directly, similar to F-Droid on GrapheneOS Why Herbert wants Passport to be a neutral platform rather than a companion app built around swap and on-ramp fees Subscribe to keep reading $10/month or $100/year Upgrade Already a Member? Login Here. What Subscribers Get: Hear it first. Subscriber-only interviews with under-the-radar projects and emerging crypto ideas — the stories everyone else covers six months later Read every word. Perfected transcripts of all Unchained episodes Join the conversation. A members-only Telegram community Ask the questions. Submit questions for guests on the main show The post Why the Ethereum Foundation Is Launching a Signing App on Passport Prime appeared first on Unchained .
Open source - LS
Laura Shin@laurashinPost on X ·
🔐 @ethereumfndn is launching the Universal Ethereum Signer on @foundationhq's KeyOS, the first time it has collaborated on a signing app for hardware wallet-like devices. Foundation CEO @zherbert tells @laurashin why each app gets a hardened child key, never your master seed, and why KeyOS is easier to secure than Linux kernel. 🧠 Subscribe to Unchained Premium to watch! https://t.co/zfZeCZdmLf
Open source