Understanding EMP and Electromagnetic Risks for Hardware Wallets
- Cold wallets like Ledger and Trezor are considered the safest way to store crypto.
- But “offline” doesn’t mean invulnerable — they can still be exposed to electromagnetic interference (EMI), EMP events, and wireless threats.
- This article explains real-world risks, with examples of EMF damage, and how protective shielding like a Faraday bag adds resilience.
How Wireless Attacks and EMP Threats Work
- Wireless attack surface: Any device with USB or circuitry can emit/receive unintended signals.
- Electromagnetic pulse (EMP): A burst of electromagnetic radiation that can damage microchips and stored data.
- Electromagnetic interference (EMI): Everyday EMF (from Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth, even solar storms) can disrupt or corrupt unshielded electronics.
Real-World Examples of EMF/EMP Damaging Electronics
- Nuclear EMP events: U.S. Starfish Prime test (1962) — high-altitude detonation knocked out streetlights and communications in Hawaii, ~900 miles away.
- Solar storms: The Carrington Event (1859) and Hydro-Québec blackout (1989) caused widespread power failures; strong geomagnetic storms can induce EMP-like surges damaging electronics.
- Consumer electronics damage: Reports of laptops, credit card chips, and smartphones failing after exposure to strong EMF sources (industrial equipment, radio towers, power surges).
- Military-grade EMP simulators: Documented tests show unshielded electronics (radios, control boards) fail instantly when exposed to high-intensity EM pulses.
➡️ While no confirmed case of a Ledger/Trezor being destroyed this way is public, these examples prove electronics without EM shielding are vulnerable.
Learn how to protect your cold crypto wallets from EMP and wireless threats in our detailed article.
Are Cold Wallets Like Ledger Really Safe From EMF?
- Ledger wallets are secure against online hacks, but:
- They lack built-in EMP shielding.
- Circuit boards and flash memory inside are just as vulnerable as any small electronic device.
- Even a localized EMF spike (e.g., near powerful transmitters) could corrupt or destroy data.
Takeaway: They protect you from hackers — but not from physics.
How a Faraday Bag Protects Your Ledger or Trezor
- A Faraday bag is a signal-blocking enclosure lined with conductive material.
- Blocks wireless signals: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, RFID, GPS.
- Shields against EMP/EMF: The conductive mesh disperses electromagnetic energy, preventing it from reaching your device.
- Protects hardware wallets, phones, USB drives, car key fobs.
- For crypto users: This adds a physical security layer to your cold wallet — ensuring it’s safe even from attacks or accidents outside the digital world.
Final Thoughts — Closing the Last Security Gap
- Cold wallets solve the online attack problem.
- A Faraday bag solves the electromagnetic vulnerability problem.
- Together, they create the most resilient cold storage setup possible.
Learn more about our Faraday bag for crypto wallets — tested to block wireless signals and add EMP protection for Ledger, Trezor, and other cold wallets.