After Bybit's $1.5B Hack, Ambire Releases Hardware Wallet to Stop Blind Signing

Hardware wallets are vital tools for securing cryptocurrency, isolating private keys from internet-connected devices. However, comprehending transaction details before signing, especially with complex smart contracts, remains difficult. Ambire, a company focused on crypto security, has introduced Ambire Ice, a new open-source hardware wallet designed for Safe smart accounts.

This device aims to improve transparency in multisig transactions by enabling users to inspect individual on-chain actions directly on the device before approving them. Safe smart accounts are particularly challenging due to their multi-party control and support for complex transaction types. According to Safe's Q2 2026 report, its smart accounts processed nearly 130 million transactions during the quarter, with 2.73 million active accounts in June.

Traditional hardware wallets focus on keeping private keys offline and requiring physical confirmation for signing transactions, but the information presented during confirmation is often unclear, leading to the practice of "blind signing." This issue gained attention following the Bybit hack in 2022, where attackers stole $1.5 billion by manipulating Safe's wallet interface and tricking signers.

Ambire Ice addresses this by decoding transactions on the hardware device, allowing users to verify what they are signing. It provides warnings for sensitive changes to account permissions, such as modifying owners, signature thresholds, and modules. The wallet employs hardware-level security features, including secure elements from NXP and Infineon, a physical airgap switch for offline signing, and an open-source firmware built on Trezor's code.

Ambire Ice specifically targets the complexities of Safe accounts, allowing users to inspect multiple operations and changes to account permissions, aiming to prevent blind signing attacks.