Crypto Hardware Wallet KeepKey Launches Native ERC20 Token Support

Crypto Hardware Wallet KeepKey Launches Native ERC20 Token Support

By Diana Ngo - 3 min read
Updated 11 June 2021

Cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer KeepKey has launched native support for ERC20 tokens, now allowing users to send, receive and exchange between 30 ERC20 tokens including Augur, Bancor, Numeraire, and District0x, directly on their KeepKey device. Through its native ERC20 token support, KeepKey users can create and view raw transactions directly on the device without connecting to a third-party.

Speaking to CoinJournal on the sidelines of the Consensus conference in May, Ken Hodler, the best-named man in the crypto space and CTO of KeepKey said there are several advantages of the fully native support of ERC20 tokens including greater convenience for users, and additional security.

“Our ERC20 token support is unique because the support is fully native. This means we are not connecting to a third-party wallet such as MyEtherWallet,” Hodler said.

“We did this for a few reasons. For starters, it allows for one simple interface and no restriction on account numbers. All tokens are on the same application as every other coin we support. Next, it adds an extra layer of security because every transaction detail is confirmed on the display of the device. This includes: full address, token name, amount, and gas fee.”

One of KeepKey’s unique features is that the hardware wallet device displays the specific token name, token amount, destination address and total gas cost for the transaction before signing. Users transfer their tokens without having to trust anyone else.

“KeepKey aims to be the most secure and simple hardware wallet available and we have maintained this level of product integrity with our ERC20 token support. Viewing and transferring your ERC20 tokens is transparent and easy for every user, regardless of experience level,” Hodler said.

“We couldn’t be more excited about adding initial ERC-20 token support for our users and we look forward to expanding the list of tokens immensely as the year goes on.”

Founded in 2014, KeepKey builds cryptocurrency hardware wallet devices that focus on ease of use and security. The hardware wallet allows users to generate and store an unlimited number of private keys, which remain at all times on the device. Alongside the 30 ERC20 tokens, KeepKey supports Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Dash and Dogecoin. More top market capitalization tokens will be added throughout the year, the company said.

KeepKey was acquired by Swiss digital asset exchange ShapeShift in August 2017. ShapeShift’s instant exchange feature has been integrated into the hardware wallet, enabling users to exchange cryptocurrencies from their device and make instant transactions with a two-click process.

The full list of KeepKey supported ERC20 tokens: Aragon, Augur, Basic Attention Token, Civic, District0x, FunFair, Golem, Gnosis, OmiseGo, SALT, Bancor, ICONOMI, Melon, SwarmCity, Wings, iExec, Status, Numeraire, Metal, TenX, Qtum, 0x, FirstBlood, Ripio Credit Network, SingularDTV, DigixDAO, WeTrust, Matchpool, Edgeless and Storj.

For more information on KeepKey, read our full review.

Coinbase Announces Plans to List SEC-Regulated Crypto Securities

By Rebecca Campbell - min read
Updated 25 August 2020

The biggest cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S. has announced that it is on track to list SEC-regulated crypto securities, pending approval from federal authorities.

Asiff Hirji, president and chief operating officer at San Francisco-based exchange Coinbase, revealed the company’s intentions. If approved, Coinbase will soon be able to offer blockchain-based securities, under the oversight of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). According to Hirji, this move is made possible by the exchange’s acquisition of a broker-dealer license, an alternative trading system license (ATS), and a registered investment adviser license (RIA).

Following on from Coinbase’s suite of institutional products announcement last month, the exchange is of the opinion that this is an important step in the crypto ecosystem. It also signals that the crypto economy has reached another level of maturation. The exchange is also in the process of rebranding its GDAX platform to Coinbase Pro and is acquiring Paradex, a token trade relay platform.

“Ultimately, we can envision a world where we may even work with regulators to tokenize existing types of securities, bringing to this space the benefits of cryptocurrency-based markets – like 24/7 trading, real-time settlement, and chain-of-title,” said Hirji.

Coinbase’s latest announcement comes in the same week that the head of the SEC made it clear that the agency wouldn’t be changing the rules for the cryptocurrency market when it comes to defining what is or isn’t a security.

“We are not going to do any violence to the traditional definition of a security that has worked for a long time”, said Jay Clayton, chair of the SEC to CNBC. “We’ve been doing this a long time, there’s no need to change the definition.”

He went on to say that the agency is not adjusting the rules for initial coin offerings (ICOs) either. He clarified, though, that cryptocurrencies, which are replacements for fiat currencies are a type of currency that are not a security. Whereas, a digital token, or a digital asset, that is used in an ICO is deemed a security by the SEC’s definition.

“As the regulatory landscape clears up we can expect far more investors, including big ticket institutions, to make their first cryptocurrency investments,” said Iqbal Gandham, U.K. managing director at eToro to CoinJournal. “For the first few months of this year, the crypto industry has been jogging along at a relatively slow pace waiting for the opportunity to stretch into sprint, this might just be that moment.”