As Bitcoin self-custody becomes the norm for those serious about sovereignty, hardware wallets remain the best method for securing private keys. Trezor, a pioneer in open-source hardware wallets, has introduced the Trezor Safe 5 Bitcoin-Only, designed specifically for security-focused Bitcoiners.
Unlike previous Trezor models, the Safe 5 takes hardware security and usability to a new level, integrating a Secure Element, a modern touchscreen interface, and advanced backup methods. This article provides a detailed technical breakdown of the Trezor Safe 5 Bitcoin-Only, covering firmware architecture, cryptographic security, key management, recovery mechanisms, and privacy enhancements.
Hardware and Security Architecture
At the heart of the Trezor Safe 5 is its EAL6+ Secure Element (SE), a tamper-resistant chip that safeguards private keys and cryptographic operations. This is a significant shift for Trezor, which previously avoided Secure Elements due to concerns over proprietary firmware restrictions. However, unlike competitors such as Ledger, Trezor uses an NDA-free Secure Element, meaning its integration is fully transparent and remains open for external audits.
