A Decade of Pioneering: 10 Years Since Trezor’s First Hardware Wallet Revolution

Ready to dive into the past and witness a revolution in cryptocurrency security? On July 29th, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of launching our first product, the Trezor Model One. What started as a simple idea by two passionate crypto enthusiasts, Stick and Slush, has evolved into a trusted brand that has transformed the industry. Curious about how we pioneered the world’s first hardware wallet and became a beacon of trust in the crypto community? Let’s take a journey through our history and innovations.

The Birth of a Security Revolution

It all started in 2011, when Marek “Slush” Palatinus logged onto his mining pool server and found out he had just lost 3000 BTC. Even tech-proficient Bitcoiners who understood security protocols could still fall victim to online attacks. If this was true for them, what chance did the rest of us stand? Marek “Slush” Palatinus and Pavol “Stick” Rusnák envisioned a solution that would simplify crypto storage for everyone. They began developing a small, single-purpose computer that would securely store private keys in an isolated environment. This vision led to the creation of the Trezor Model One, the first-ever hardware wallet.

Cheers to the Early Days! 🍾 Our founders, Stick and Slush, celebrating the prototype phase at Brmlab Hackerspace in Prague, and marking the moment when Bitcoin hit $100.

From Hobby Project to Global Pioneer

What began as a hobby project quickly transformed into an industry-defining product. On July the 29th, 2014, the Trezor Model One was officially launched, introducing the concept of a hardware wallet to the world. It wasn’t just a device; it was a revolution in crypto security.

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we’re launching Self-Custody Week! Starting July 29th, we’ll be dedicating a week to highlight the importance of self-custody for crypto users.

“We wanted to make a couple of hardware wallets for our friends. But soon we realized that we had found a big market gap. Now we are one of the most trusted wallets in the world.”

Marek “Slush” Palatinus, Co-Founder of Trezor

The first prototypes built on a Raspberry Pi

“We started prototyping Trezor on a Raspberry Pi, so the first Trezor prototypes were just extra boards with a display, two buttons, and a USB port that you would attach to a Raspberry Pi. We used this platform to quickly test our ideas and to optimize the user experience as much as possible even before having the ‘real’ Trezors ready.”

Pavol “Stick” Rusnák, Co-Founder of Trezor

Not Just Hardware Pioneers; We Set Industry Standards

We didn’t just create a product; we created an entire industry. We brought to market seed recovery protection with the development of BIP39 and BIP44, setting industry standards for wallet security and usability. Multi-share Backup and SLIP39 further pushed the envelope, offering enhanced backup and recovery processes. Our commitment to open-source development has made Trezor the trusted name in crypto security.

Fun Fact: We took payment in Bitcoin even in the earliest days, during our pre-order phase the price in USD was about $100 😯

100% Self-Owned: The Power of Independence

One of the most significant aspects of our journey is our independence. Being 100% self-owned has given us the freedom to innovate without external pressures. This autonomy means we don’t have to answer to investors or shareholders. We release products when they’re ready, secure, and meet our high standards, not to meet revenue goals or market deadlines.

This independence allows us to be completely transparent with you. We believe firmly that trust is the bedrock of our company. By being open-source, we don’t hide behind anything. You can verify our security measures and trust that we prioritize your safety above all else. This approach has earned us the utmost trust from you, our customers, a trust that we continue to build and maintain.

From Outsiders to Crypto Pioneers

Looking back at photos of our team from 10 years ago, it’s clear how much has changed. Back then, we were a group of geeks passionate about crypto and security. Today, we are pioneers who have shaped the industry, building an awesome community and helping people become financially independent.

Our journey from humble beginnings to industry leaders is a testament to our vision and dedication. We’ve gone from being outsiders with a bold idea to trusted innovators who have empowered countless individuals to take control of their financial future.

“No matter what the future brings, we will continue doing what we are best at — securing and innovating the whole crypto industry while being open about everything we do.”

Pavol “Stick” Rusnák, Co-Founder of Trezor

Why Choose Us?

For new readers, we are not just a brand; we are a promise of security and trust. With over a decade of real decisions without compromise, we offer you unmatched peace of mind.

Ready to be the boss of your financial future? Our commitment to open-source security and innovation continues to drive us forward, ensuring that we remain your trusted choice for hardware wallets.

Celebrate with Us!

As we celebrate this 10th anniversary, we invite you to join us in looking back at our journey and looking forward to a future of continued innovation and security.

Stay tuned on socials for more updates, stories, and celebrations as we mark this significant milestone. Here’s to the next decade of making crypto security simple, accessible, and reliable for everyone!

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this article, give it a clap (or a few!) and drop a comment below — we’d love to hear your thoughts. Don’t forget to follow for more insights and updates on the exciting world of crypto security.

Stay secure, and see you next time!

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A Decade of Pioneering: 10 Years Since Trezor’s First Hardware Wallet Revolution was originally published in Trezor Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.