Germany · Bitcoin.com News
Ledger Spy Implant Scandal Prompts Mediamarkt Sales Freeze
Compiled by KHAO Editorial — aggregated from 2 sources. See llms.txt for citation guidance.
◎ Multiple-sources
On Oct. 13, the hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger revealed new details about how criminals tampered with its hardware wallets and potentially stole customers’ cryptocurrency.
Key facts
- Initially, reports detailed that projected losses amounted to around $86 million, but estimates have since increased to $93 million
- Ledger has been dealing with a catastrophic issue after reports noted that funds were being siphoned from its devices on Oct. 9, 2026
- On Oct. 13, the hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger revealed new details about how criminals tampered with its hardware wallets and potentially stole customers’ cryptocurrency
- This device could secretly read a customer’s 24-word recovery phrase and transmit it to the attackers over a cellular network
Summary
Ledger investigators discovered that attackers secretly installed hardware implants capable of capturing customers’ 24-word recovery phrases and transmitting them over cellular networks. Estimated reported losses have climbed from $86 million to $93 million, but Ledger says the figures remain unverified and confirmed losses involve devices sold through Southeast Asian reseller Cryptobilis. European retailer Mediamarkt Saturn has suspended Ledger sales following a separate tampering report in Germany, while rival Trezor is tightening its reseller network amid growing supply chain security concerns. Ledger has been dealing with a catastrophic issue after reports noted that funds were being siphoned from its devices on Oct. 9, 2026.