Reports suggest Ledger hardware wallets sold by MediaMarkt contained hidden cellular modules
Reports circulating on social media claim that Ledger cryptocurrency hardware wallets sold through European retailer MediaMarkt contained hidden cellular implants, raising concerns over compromised reseller supply chains.
Reports indicate that Ledger cryptocurrency hardware wallets purchased through European electronics retailer MediaMarkt were found with covert hardware modifications, according to crypto commentary account Bull Theory. Users reportedly discovered hidden cellular modules and antennas inside devices purchased from MediaMarkt stores in Germany and Austria, while tech outlet El Chapuzas Informático noted a report of two Ledger devices from the retailer arriving tampered with spy hardware.[2][1][3]
Photographs shared by user Coinjoined Chris and Blockto depict opened Ledger Nano X units revealing unauthorized wiring, an LTE module, an antenna, and an attached 3.7V 130mAh battery not found in genuine hardware. Coinjoined Chris alleged that affected retail channels may include MediaMarkt and Saturn in Germany, CryptoBilis in Malaysia, Ozon in Russia, and retail at Singapore Airport.[3][4]
The European reports follow recent disclosures involving Southeast Asian distributor CryptoBilis, where researchers identified implanted LTE chips and e-SIMs capable of surreptitiously broadcasting recovery phrases. That attack was linked to an Oct. 9 exploit that drained between $86 million and $93 million from more than 300 crypto wallets. In response to the supply chain concerns, Bull Theory and Blockto advised crypto holders to immediately discontinue using Ledger devices bought from third-party resellers and migrate their funds to new wallets with fresh seed phrases.[2][3]
Key facts
- Users reportedly discovered hidden cellular modules and antennas inside Ledger devices purchased from MediaMarkt in Germany and Austria.
- A customer reported that two Ledger hardware wallets bought at MediaMarkt arrived tampered with spy hardware.
- Images of opened Ledger Nano X devices revealed extra wiring, an LTE module, an antenna, and a 3.7V 130mAh battery absent in genuine units.
- Social media user Coinjoined Chris alleged that affected sellers include MediaMarkt and Saturn in Germany, CryptoBilis in Malaysia, Ozon in Russia, and Singapore Airport.
- The claims follow discoveries in Southeast Asia where implanted CryptoBilis units containing LTE chips and e-SIMs were linked to an Oct. 9 theft of $86 million to $93 million across more than 300 wallets.
- Bull Theory and Blockto advised users to stop using any Ledger wallet bought from a reseller and transfer assets to new wallets with new seed phrases.
Sources · 4 sources
- CH
chapuzasinformatico@elchapuzasPost on X ·
Compran dos wallets físicas Ledger para guardar criptomonedas en MediaMarkt y ambas llegan manipuladas con hardware espía https://t.co/fPo9bnTvAm
Open source - BT
Bull Theory@BullTheoryioPost on X ·
BREAKING: 🇪🇺 The Ledger supply chain in Europe has now also been compromised, according to some reports. Users reportedly found a hidden cellular module with an antenna inside Ledger devices bought from MediaMarkt, an official reseller in Germany and Austria. It comes just days after devices sold by a major supplier in Southeast Asia, CryptoBilis, were found with a hidden implant. Researchers say it had an LTE chip and an e-SIM that can send out your recovery phrase. That attack drained $86M to $93M from 300+ wallets on Oct 9. If you use Ledger: • Stop using any device you bought from a reseller. • Move your funds to a new wallet with a new seed phrase.
Open source - BL
Blockto@TheBlocktoAppPost on X ·
🇪🇺 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧: Ledger devices bought from MediaMarkt in Germany and Austria reportedly contain hidden cellular modules with antennas, days after implanted CryptoBilis units drained $86M to $93M from 300+ wallets. If your Ledger came from a reseller, stop using it and move your funds to a new wallet with a fresh seed phrase(NFA).
Open source - CC
Coinjoined Chris ⚡@coinjoinedPost on X ·
There shouldn't be any cables. First 3 images show the implant, last image a genuine @Ledger Nano X. Allegedly affected resellers so far: MediaMarkt, Saturn 🇩🇪, Cryptobilis 🇲🇾, Ozon 🇷🇺 and Singapore Airport 🇸🇬 https://t.co/fwa6UVBJ0z
Open source