Krux Hardware Signer - new release v24.03.0

[Pmalek]

I just noticed that with the latest firmware version you released a few months ago, a new device has become compatible with the Krux DIY hardware wallet. It's the Yahboom K210 module. It's a touchscreen device that runs on Linux and has a touchscreen. It's cheap and can be bought for $50 to $60 at Amazon.

http://www.yahboom.net/study/K210-Developer-Kit

[selfcustodykrux]

I just noticed that with the latest firmware version you released a few months ago, a new device has become compatible with the Krux DIY hardware wallet. It's the Yahboom K210 module. It's a touchscreen device that runs on Linux and has a touchscreen. It's cheap and can be bought for $50 to $60 at Amazon.

http://www.yahboom.net/study/K210-Developer-Kit

Yes that's correct! It was mentioned in the release notes, but I suppose I could have highlighted it better when mentioning the release in here. Users seem to be enjoying it as a viable alternative for a touchscreen device to the Maix Amigo.
https://selfcustody.github.io/krux/parts/#yahboom-k210-module

Although it doesn't have touchscreen, users seems to be enjoying the Maix Cube device as well which costs as much as the Yahboom. Next release the Cube will have official support as well, currently it's only supported through the beta release.

[selfcustodykrux]

Hello Bitcointalk forum!

With our latest v24.03.0 release (https://github.com/selfcustody/krux/releases) having been leaked already by excited contributors and project supporters, we wanted to officially start a thread here and introduce our FOSS bitcoin wallet project. That way our devs can focus on building, and our internz can focus on managing users via social media.

For those that haven't heard of the project yet, I suggest you check out our excellent documentation https://selfcustody.github.io/krux/getting-started/ as well as our Twitter page @selfcustodykrux

The crux of it, pun intended, is a bitcoin hardware signer which consists of open-source firmware that transforms 1/5 (soon to be 6) off-the-shelf Kendryte K210 devices, such as the Maix Amigo, M5StickV and more, into versatile Bitcoin transaction signers. Bitcoin was meant to be used without trusting middlemen, and in the spirit of DIY that is why we build Krux.

For all the info on our latest release as it's too much to list, check out the thread here: https://twitter.com/selfcustodykrux/status/1768569044175650904 or of course, the release notes on github: https://github.com/selfcustody/krux/releases/tag/v24.03.0

Hello again BTC

Our jam packed latest v24.07.0 release is live, and we're excited to hear what users think. There's really too much to list, so check out the changelog here: https://github.com/selfcustody/krux/releases/tag/v24.07.0

[Pmalek]

How does the option to hide private key data work? Is it just a switch you can turn on/off or does it require you to enter a PIN code or password to enable/disable the visibility of private keys?
When you say "Disable backup tools" what does it mean?

[selfcustodykrux]

How does the option to hide private key data work? Is it just a switch you can turn on/off or does it require you to enter a PIN code or password to enable/disable the visibility of private keys?
When you say "Disable backup tools" what does it mean?

There are no switches on any of the devices we support: https://selfcustody.github.io/krux/

1) SETTINGS>SECURITY>HIDE MNEMONICS>TRUE

2) When we say that we mean if the above security feature is set, backup tool info will be hidden. More info here: https://selfcustody.github.io/krux/getting-started/settings/#hide-mnemonics

[Pmalek]

1) SETTINGS>SECURITY>HIDE MNEMONICS>TRUE

2) When we say that we mean if the above security feature is set, backup tool info will be hidden. More info here: https://selfcustody.github.io/krux/getting-started/settings/#hide-mnemonics

Does changing the "Hide Mnemonics" mode from True to False and vice versa require any password or PIN entry or can users change it at any time from their settings menu without having to enter a password/PIN? In other words, would anyone be able to view the sensitive data if they took control of a device that was being used?

[Meuserna]

Does changing the "Hide Mnemonics" mode from True to False and vice versa require any password or PIN entry or can users change it at any time from their settings menu without having to enter a password/PIN? In other words, would anyone be able to view the sensitive data if they took control of a device that was being used?

Krux is used airgapped and stateless, which means it doesn't save your seed phrase or keys on the device.  When you turn it off or reboot, your seed is erased.  Krux doesn't use a PIN or password to unlock the device since there's nothing on the device to lock.

Krux makes loading your seed really easy.  You'll either save the seed to a micro SD card, or make a seed QR code.

Even better, you can encrypt it. I prefer using encrypted seed QR.  It's so fast and easy.

Here's a seed QR I made in Krux as a test.

It's actually faster to scan an encrypted seed QR & scan a decryption key QR on Krux than it is to enter a PIN on a typical hardware wallet.  Scan.  Scan.  Done.  And since your seed isn't saved on the device, if the device gets stolen, there's nothing on it for a thief to find.  And since you can encrypt your seed QR code, if a thief finds it, they can't even scan it, because it's encrypted.

I'm not involved with Krux.  I'm just a huge fan.

I honestly think Krux is the best Bitcoin only hardware wallet, at any price.  And it's free!  The hardware to run it on is cheap too.  Right now, the best device for Krux is probably the Yahboom K210 module ($45-ish).  The Yahboom is a development board type of gizmo with a touchscreen that is popular for DIY AI robotics, but it makes for a great hardware wallet device.

Crypto Guide has a few videos on Krux, on youtube.  That's where I discovered it.  The current version is a lot more advanced than what you'll see in his videos though.  This project has very active development!  They've won grants from OpenSats too.  Krux is legit.

[odudex]

Does changing the "Hide Mnemonics" mode from True to False and vice versa require any password or PIN entry or can users change it at any time from their settings menu without having to enter a password/PIN? In other words, would anyone be able to view the sensitive data if they took control of a device that was being used?

Meuserna is correct; Krux operates statelessly by default.
But you can store a mnemonic in its internal flash memory or on an SD card. When you do this, you'll need to create a PIN. However, with Krux, it's not just a PIN; you can and should use a strong password to enhance encryption. Each time you want to load a stored mnemonic (and you can store multiple), the password (referred to as the encryption key in our documentation) will be necessary. In summary, if someone acquires your device, they won't have access to any unencrypted private information.
The "hide mnemonics" feature conceals your mnemonic AFTER it has been loaded. Therefore, if you leave your Krux on your desk, powered on, with a key loaded, an attacker won't be able to steal its secrets. Moreover, after the "auto shutdown" period, it will power off, thereby unloading the key.

[Meuserna]

Odudex, did you hear NVK from ColdCard was on the Bitcoin Review podcast, raving about Krux & the work you guys are doing?  Here's a link.

"My favorite DIY FOSS Bitcoin signer for a while now."

"You can build this thing for 30 bucks."

"These guys are killing it."

-- NVK

That's some high praise.  And well deserved.  You guys are on fire.

[odudex]

Thank you Meuserna!
Seeing them appreciate and support our work is truly motivating.