Blockstream Jade Hardware Wallet Review: Is It Worth $65 Bucks?

The Blockstream Jade is an affordable Bitcoin-only hardware wallet with a built-in QR scanner and multisig features. Here’s everything you need to know.

Updated: Aug 8, 2023

Blockstream Jade Hardware Wallet Review

Overview

  • The Blockstream Jade is an affordable, $65 hardware wallet for Bitcoin and Liquid assets.
  • It features a built-in camera for airgapped transactions via QR codes and it has a compact, portable design with a 1.14 inch screen.
  • Your Bitcoin can be managed using the Blockstream Green mobile app.

What Is It?

Blockstream Jade is a Bitcoin-only hardware wallet that provides advanced security features, ease of use, and an affordable price. It features a QR code scanner for fully airgapped transactions, singlesig and multisig suport, and a full-color 1.14-inch screen. The wallet is open source and manageable via the Blockstream Green companion app.

Pros & Cons

  • Affordable price point ($64.99)
  • Small and portable (can be a con as well)
  • Easy set up
  • Built-in camera for faster transactions
  • Fully airgapped with many security features
  • Only supports Bitcoin and Liquid Assets (no altcoins)
  • Mobile app can be buggy
  • Limited screen size (1.14 inch)

Things To Know

  • It's a Bitcoin-only hardware wallet (no altcoins supported)
  • Device has two buttons and a slide wheel interface
  • Built-in camera scans QR codes for fully offline transactions
  • Has a companion mobile app called Blockstream Green
  • Small and compact full color 1.14 inch screen
  • Customizable transaction fees
  • Open source and Tor integration for added security
  • Spoof wallets can be created on the same device
  • PIN security feature with self-deletion after 3 incorrect attempts

Key Benefits & Features

  • Easy to Use: Designed to be user-friendly, with a small but full-color 1.14 inch screen that has two buttons and a slide wheel for navigation. It also has a companion app called Blockstream Green for easy management of assets.
  • Bitcoin Only: The Blockstream Jade supports Bitcoin (BTC) and its leading sidechain, the Liquid Network, but no other cryptocurrencies. This makes it a great choice for investors who hold only Bitcoin.
  • Fully Airgapped: With a built-in camera, the Blockstream Jade allows for fully airgapped transactions, enabling users to scan and display QR codes directly on the device to send Bitcoin and verify addresses. This means there's no need to connect the device to the internet, providing an extra layer of security.
  • Companion App: The Blockstream Green companion app allows users to send and receive Bitcoin, customize transaction fees, and manage their assets from mobile or desktop. The app is simple and easy to navigate, with Tor integration for added privacy if you'd like to hide your IP address.
  • Advanced Security Features: It's open-source, uses QR codes for transactions, and if the PIN is entered incorrectly three times, both the server and Jade delete the data. Users can create multiple wallets on the same device, including spoof wallets and the software is compatible with other top hardware wallets like Ledger and Trezor for multisig solutions.

Security

Blockstream Jade offers a variety of security features to protect your Bitcoin. Based on their website, these features include a fully airgapped design, meaning it is not connected to the internet. It also has a self-destructing PIN feature, which will erase all data after three incorrect attempts, ensuring that your funds are protected even if the device is lost or stolen.

Furthermore, it's open-source which means that the code is available for public scrutiny, making it less susceptible to vulnerabilities or exploits. However, since the wallet is not as popular as something like Ledger, it might not get the same amount of testing. The device also supports multisig where you can require multiple signatures to complete a transaction.

Another security feature is the ability to create multiple wallets on the same device, including spoof wallets. This means that users can create fake wallets to deter attackers and give them a false sense of security. When it comes to the wallet's companion app, Blockstream Green, it offers native Tor support if you wish to hide your IP address.

Security Features List:

  • Singlesig and Multisig
  • Fully airgapped design
  • Self-destructing PIN after 3 incorrect attempts
  • Open-source code
  • Create multiple wallets, including spoof wallets
  • Mobile app offers Tor support to hide your IP address

What's In The Box?

  • Blockstream Jade Device
  • x1 USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable
  • Quickstart Guide
  • x1 Recovery Phrase Sheet
  • x2 QR Code Recovery Templates 

Online Reviews

The main concern from people on Reddit, Amazon, Trust Pilot, and other online review sites is that the mobile app can be buggy since it's relatively new. The positives say that it's easy to use and an excellent price. Here are some of the most helpful reviews I gathered:

  • One Amazon customer wrote, “A very well designed Hard Wallet for cold storage that allows signing transactions without revealing the private keys. Intuitive user interface and design in general.

    You still need to connect to an app in order to manage your funds but the integrated camera is cool and lets you scan QR easily. I found some glitches with the iPhone app of the Green Wallet but after several tries it finally works. Some times a lot of patience is needed.”

  • A dissatisfied redditor wrote, "Setup was smooth, first pairing worked, BUT now I cant use it with bluetooth on iOS, im having to constantly forget the device and after it pairs it never asks to unlock it! So its a useless brick… sucks. Also firmware update takes forever.”
  • Another person wrote, "This is a fantastic BTC only hardware wallet at an excellent price. I had no issues moving my Bitcoin from a mobile hot wallet to cold storage using the Blockstream Jade. I’d recommend it everyone and get your bitcoin off of the exchanges and into self custody."

While there are some concerns with the mobile app's usability, most of the online reviews are positive. The Blockstream Jade has a 4.3-star rating on Amazon and the iOS app has a 4.7-star rating across 278 ratings.

Who Is This Wallet For?

Ultimately, the Blockstream Jade is for anyone wanting to secure their Bitcoin offline on a Bitcoin-only wallet for an affordable price. It's small, easy to use, and has various security features.

However, if you want the ability to store altcoins, you can get more popular wallets at a similar price point like the Trezor Model One. And if you want to spend more money, you can look for nicer features like a touchscreen. For example, the Keystone Pro gives you a 4-inch touchscreen and built-in camera for $169 and has a Bitcoin-only firmware option as well.

Blockstream Jade Alternatives

With dozens of hardware wallets on the market, you can find one with the features you want most whether that's a touchscreen display, NFT storage, or ease of use. However, every brand has a unique design and security protocol. In light of the Ledger controversy, it's vital to take personal responsibility for your keys and research every brand for yourself.

Some other well-reviewed Bitcoin-only wallets include the BitBox02, Passport Hardware Wallet and ColdCard.

If you want a touchscreen wallet with all the bells and whistles, the Keystone Pro is a $169 air-gapped hardware wallet that features a 4-inch touchscreen, fingerprint sensor, and QR code scanner. During set up, you have the option to install a Bitcoin-only firmware or one that supports 5,500+ digital assets.

Another alternative is the Trezor Model T. At $69, it's affordable like the Blockstream Jade and has been securing investors digital assets for over 10 years. It has over 1 million customers, open-source firmware, and is also easy to use like the Jade. However, like Ledger devices, Trezor is not without controversy. Apparently, it can be physically hacked using specialized software, so make sure to do your own research.

Overall: Final Review

The Blockstream Jade is an affordable Bitcoin wallet that is simple and compact. Here is the summary:

  • Affordable: At $64.99, this wallet is competitively priced compared to other entry hardware wallets like the Ledger Nano S ($79) and Trezor Model One ($69). 
  • Bitcoin-Only: If you want a Bitcoin-dedicated device, Jade has various security features like singlesig, multisig, spoof wallets, and more. 
  • Simple and Compact: The device is very portable and concealable with a 1.14 inch screen.
  • No Altcoins: Investors looking to store altcoins will need a different or additional wallet.
  • Mobile App Can Be Buggy: The companion app has some bugs according to online reviews.
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Jade Versus Alternatives

NDAX.io

Keystone Pro is a $169 wallet with a touchscreen and packed with features.

  • Open source and air-gapped
  • Lots of features
  • Great user-interface
  • Higher price point
  • Battery can die quickly
Ledger

Ledger is the #1 brand for hardware wallets, but they made questionable choices in 2023.

  • Store 6,500 coins
  • Great mobile app and UX
  • Most popular wallets
  • Controversial moves in 2023
  • Not open source


MEXC Global

Blockstream Jade is a Bitcoin-focused wallet at an affordable price.

  • Open source and air-gapped
  • Bitcoin-only
  • Affordable price: $64.99
  • No support for altcoins
  • App can be buggy

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