According to BeInCrypto, Mark Karpelès reported that a sealed Ledger wallet contained an unauthorized component designed to extract its secret recovery phrase. The discovery was made when the wallet was opened by the holder or an investigator, revealing an embedded chip within the device’s sealed enclosure. Karpelès indicated the chip functioned in a way that would allow it to capture or transmit the secret words stored in the wallet under normal use conditions.
The article notes that the wallet in question was obtained through a reseller channel and remained sealed until inspection. No technical specifications of the chip were provided, nor was its manufacturer identified. Karpelès did not specify when the wallet was received or used, only that the seal was broken during examination revealing the component. The claim centers on the presence of an undisclosed element inside what is typically a tamper‑evident Ledger device.
BeInCrypto describes the situation as implicating the reseller who supplied the sealed unit, based on the allegation that the chip was placed after purchase. The piece emphasizes concerns about security integrity and urges holders to verify physical condition of devices purchased through third parties.
