In contrast to a hardware wallet like the Jade, the Blockstream app is a software wallet, which means that the private keys it generates are stored directly on the device you have installed the app on, whether that’s your mobile device or computer.
While software wallets provide excellent usability and security for most users, your private keys ultimately reside on an internet-connected device, which makes them subject to the same risks that affect any other connected system, including:
- Malware or viruses
- Phishing attacks
- Deceptive download links
- Operating system vulnerabilities or unpatched software
- Physical theft or unauthorized access to your computer or mobile device
Because of these factors, software wallets are known as “hot wallets”, meaning they’re always at least partially exposed to the internet. For small amounts of bitcoin or day-to-day spending, that’s usually an acceptable tradeoff. But for long-term storage or significant holdings, a hardware wallet offers the strongest protection.
How Jade Provides Maximum Bitcoin Security
Jade is a hardware wallet, so rather than generating and storing your private keys on an internet-connected device, Jade keeps them isolated and protected using open-source blind oracle technology. Unlike software wallets, hardware wallets like Jade are not connected to the internet, hence why they are referred to as “cold storage” devices.
Jade’s security model ensures that your private keys remain safe, even if your computer or mobile device is compromised by malware, and even if the device is physically stolen. Since the blind oracle enables encrypted private key protection without a physical secure element chip, there is nothing of value to steal from the locked device itself.
When you make a transaction using a paired companion wallet like the Blockstream app, Jade simply signs the transaction internally and sends back the signed data, without ever exposing the keys themselves.
Hardware wallets like Jade are purpose-built for one thing: to safeguard your private keys in a way that’s virtually impossible for attackers to reach.
When paired with the Blockstream app, Jade provides the best of both worlds:
- intuitive user experience and seamless transaction management
- Robust security and peace of mind for long-term storage
We recommend using both the Blockstream app and the Jade for a comprehensive, flexible, and secure Bitcoin experience. You can use the app to bring small amounts of bitcoin with you for everyday spending, while keeping your long-term savings stored away in cold storage.