Somebody on the Ethereum Basis makes use of the imKey Professional. I examined it to search out out why.

I simply launched my {hardware} pockets overview collection and the primary machine to be reviewed gave me shocking outcomes!

The imKey Professional is a $110 bluetooth pockets from the 2019 period. It’s not one thing most individuals have heard of, and at this level, it may be thought-about earlier gen tech, is partially closed supply, and even makes use of microUSB nonetheless (when not utilizing the bluetooth-native connection).

Can it nonetheless maintain up in 2026?

Properly… surprisingly, sure.

Much more assuring is that some years in the past, somebody deeply embedded within the Ethereum Basis (and has turn out to be even MORE deeply embedded since) instructed me she makes use of it solely. Not Ledger, not Trezor, not GridPlus. The imKey. That endorsement alone made me take this machine very critically. So I examined every part: the Infineon SLE78 safe aspect, the bluetooth safety mannequin, the mobile-first UX, the clear signing implementation.

Professionals:

EAL6+ licensed chip (identical as your passport, financial institution playing cards, and Yubikey!!!) (Extra) readable transaction context Wi-fi signing through imToken app Nice construct high quality Entry-level worth

Cons:

2019 {hardware} displaying its age Bluetooth = wider assault floor Firmware isn't open supply Requires binding codes if utilizing the bluetooth connection through imToken app Restricted desktop help

For a $110 entry-level possibility, I’d positively think about it. Initially, ANY migration away from holding your personal keys inside an internet-connected machine (e.g. your laptop computer, a sizzling pockets in your telephone, and so forth.) to a devoted {hardware} pockets shall be a MASSIVE safety improve. Don’t let good be the enemy of fine. However figuring out there’s different, extra trendy choices on the market now, it may be tough to *strongly* advocate the imKey over different choices.

However the query begs… what did my EF affiliate see within the imKey that I didn’t?

I needed to discover out.

Watch my full overview video right here:

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