Karpelès Says Airport-Bought Ledger Flex Contained Spy Implant

Karpelès said an airport-bought Ledger Flex contained a spy implant, raising fresh concerns about supply-chain security for hardware-wallet users.

Buyer Ben Yorke identified Metapod as the retailer that sold the device. The claim adds to scrutiny of tampered hardware wallets and the risk that compromised devices could expose sensitive recovery information.

Ledger says verified fund losses in its investigation remain tied to wallets sold by CryptoBilis. The company has also said implants found in affected wallets can transmit recovery phrases over LTE.

The developments leave two separate issues in focus: the reported tampering of a Ledger Flex purchased through Metapod and Ledger’s continuing investigation into CryptoBilis-sold devices.