Ledger Orders Resellers in Seven Asian Markets to Pull Hardware Wallets Amid $86M Implant Probe

Ledger has instructed distributors across Hong Kong and six Southeast Asian countries to immediately suspend sales and remove its hardware wallets from store shelves while it investigates tampered devices. The company's security team confirmed the physical implants intercept users' 24-word recovery phrases during device setup and transmit them outward via LTE networks, a vulnerability that previously prompted MediaMarkt to pull devices in Germany. On-chain investigators have traced more than $86 million in suspected thefts to the compromised wallets, though Ledger states it has not yet independently verified that total figure. Ledger maintains that its own infrastructure and direct sales channels have not been compromised, noting that all confirmed losses thus far involve devices sold through regional reseller CryptoBilis. In direct response to the supply chain crisis, competing manufacturer Trezor announced it will terminate all third-party reseller authorizations starting January 1, 2027, citing the move as a precautionary measure. "Ledger is asking resellers and distributors in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong to suspend sales of Ledger devices while the investigation is ongoing. This includes taking products off the shelves." — Ledger