This post is for my audience, and it is also for Ledger if you are listening.
I have been covering crypto on YouTube for years. I have spoken on global stages and worked as a C-level executive in both traditional and crypto companies. So when I speak on something, I am not ranting for clicks. I am telling you what is really going on from someone who has been in this space since 2017.
Let us talk about the Ledger Nano S.
Want to watch the video instead? Click here
Yes, Ledger Retired the Nano S in 2022
Ledger announced on May 30, 2025, that it is ending support for the original Ledger Nano S. But what most people do not know is that they actually retired it in 2022.
Yes, two years ago.
They just did not tell us properly. No email. No clear alerts.At least no meaningful ones (On Ledger Live doesn’t count) No visible warning on their website when people were still buying it. Even now, many users still do not know.
That is a serious problem. This is a device people use to store life-changing amounts of crypto. Silent retirement is not acceptable.
This Is Not Just “Old Hardware Being Retired”
Some people are saying, “Just move your seed phrase to another wallet.” But that misses the point completely.
Here is why this matters.
Many people store the device in a vault with only the PIN and instructions. The seed phrase is stored separately for safety.
Some people pass away and leave these devices to family members who may not understand the situation.
Bitcoin wallets use change addresses. If you move your seed phrase to a new wallet, your full balance may not be visible unless you know how to dig deeper.
If the firmware is outdated and the user tries to move funds years later, the wallet may not function. Or worse, malware could exploit it.
This is not about whether the device works today. It is about what happens later. And it is about trust.
The Nano X Got a Recovery Feature After You Bought It
Now let us talk about the Ledger Nano X.
Remember when Ledger introduced the seed phrase recovery service? The one where they split your private key across three custodians?
That was not there when you bought the device. It was pushed as a firmware update later on. You did not agree to it at the time of purchase. You were never told that something like this could be added to your device later.
Ledger says it is optional. That is fine. But this should have been an entirely new product. Not something silently added to a wallet that many people trusted specifically because it had none of that functionality.
This is why I kept using and recommending the Nano S. Because it did not have that kind of recovery mechanism. It was simple and secure.
I Kept Recommending the Nano S. Now I Regret It
I supported Ledger even during the seed recovery drama. I gave them the benefit of the doubt.
But now I find out the Nano S was quietly retired two years ago. That is not acceptable.
Ledger leaked our email addresses in the past. You had the ability to notify us. You just chose not to.
Instead, you kept selling the device through distributors. People were buying it, not knowing that support had already ended. Including people I recommended it to.
That makes me feel responsible. And it makes me angry.
Real-World Risks People Are Not Thinking About
I was in the hospital fighting cancer. if I had my Ledger Nano S with me and I gave instructions to someone in case I did not make it. My seed phrase was stored separately.
If the device stopped working, if there was a bug, or if malware was present, my funds could have been lost. Forever.
Many people have similar setups. They use their wallets in emergencies. They may not have immediate access to their seed phrases. They may not even know support has ended.
And yet Ledger said nothing.
This Is Not the Same as an Old Phone Losing Support
People compare this to an iPhone 5 being outdated. That is ridiculous.
No one stores over a million dollars in crypto on an old iPhone. Apple gives users several years of warning and public updates. Ledger gave us none of that.
You cannot compare a phone to a hardware wallet. The stakes are not the same.
What Ledger Should Have Done
Ledger should have sent clear notifications when they ended support. They should have stopped selling the Nano S right away. They should have created a new product line for the recovery feature, not silently pushed it to existing users.
They should have respected their customers and their responsibility as a custodian of self-custody tools.
What You Should Do Now
If you still have a Ledger Nano S, move your funds to a supported wallet.
Personally, I use the Ellipal X card. It comes with a small device to generate your private keys offline. You then tap the card on your phone to manage crypto. It is simple, secure, and easy to carry.
It costs about 99 dollars or so and it works well.
I also use other wallets like Trezor, Tangem, and Ellipal. I rotate and diversify my holdings. But I no longer use any Ledger product. They lost my trust.
Final Words to Ledger
Ledger, you were the industry standard. You had my support when others were criticizing you. I defended you publicly.
But now you have lost the one thing that matters most in crypto. Trust.
You failed to communicate. You failed to respect the importance of your role. And now people like me, who once recommended your products, can no longer stand by you.
If you are reading this and think I am overreacting, maybe this post is not for you. But someday, when someone in your family needs access to a Ledger Nano S and it no longer works, maybe then you will understand.
If you want to see my full breakdown, watch the video linked here
Check out the wallet I use now. And always remember — self custody is serious. And trust must be earned.