On Wednesday, December 19, 2024, Foundation announced the release of its newest device, the Passport Prime.

Introducing Passport Prime – Your Personal Security Platform!

We’re thrilled to present Passport Prime, the world’s first personal security platform designed to secure your Bitcoin and your entire digital life.

Think: A Swiss Army Knife for your online security. pic.twitter.com/3HH2eG7vhU

— FOUNDATION (@FOUNDATIONdvcs) December 18, 2024

The device offers a broad range of features that not only help users secure the keys to their bitcoin but other digital information, as well.

Features

For starters, the Passport Prime offers the same bitcoin wallet capabilities as the company’s second generation Passport device, including multisig functionality and temporary seed phrases.

Beyond Bitcoin-related security, the Passport Prime also helps you to store other sensitive digital data.

Its 2FA Codes app lets users store 2FA codes offline, while its Security Keys app serves as a replacement for Yubikeys and allows users to create multiple security keys for use with NFC or USB.

What is more, the device offers an encrypted flash drive. Users can store up to 50 GB of data on the device. And as a means to keep your data private, the Airlock feature in the File Browser app lets users only access selected files when the device is plugged into a phone or computer.

The device also has its own custom operating system — KeyOS — which enables apps to run in their own sandboxes while the OS manages permissions.

Pushing The Hardware Wallet Industry Forward

Earlier this year, Foundation’s co-founder and CEO told Bitcoin Magazine he was looking to create the iPhone of Bitcoin hardware. The Passport Prime is the closest Foundation has come to this ideal yet.

“The hardware wallet industry has been coasting for years, failing to deliver any meaningful innovation and unable to respond to digital assets’ rapidly evolving utility and use cases,” said Zach Herbert, co-founder and CEO of Foundation in a press release.

“Wallets have become crypto’s weakest link: they are difficult to onboard to, complex to use, and increasingly insecure for a range of modern blockchain transactions,” he added.

“Passport Prime is the first device of its kind, a Personal Security Platform that’s fit for the future decentralized economy, making it simple to safeguard all your private keys in one offline device, and sign every kind of transaction or contract with complete peace of mind.”

Third-Party Apps Welcome

By approximately mid-2025, developers will be able to build third-party apps that will run on KeyOS. In other words, developers will be able to list their own apps in Foundation’s App Catalogue.

The first of these third-party apps will be produced by Cake Wallet and will enable users to more privately transact using Bitcoin, Monero and other cryptocurrencies.

Dynamic, Yet Simple and Secure

Foundation claims that setting up and using the Passport Prime will be easy, despite its various functionalities.

Users can set the device up using Envoy, Foundation’s native app that provides guidance for the set up process and that connects to the device via QuantamLink Bluetooth.

QuantamLink Bluetooth is enabled by a dedicated Bluetooth chip embedded in the Passport Prime that can only send and receive messages that are already encrypted using quantum-resistance technology.

Users can also back up their seed via a 2-of-3 Shamir Secret Sharing configuration splits the seed into three pieces — two stored on physical cards and one stored in the Envoy mobile app.

Details

The device will retail for $299 and ship by Q2 2025.

The device comes in two different colors — Arctic Copper and Midnight Bronze — and it’s both completely open-source and manufactured in the United States.

Learn more about the product here.

Today, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) announced its most recent round of Bitcoin Development Fund grants, in a press release sent to Bitcoin Magazine.

700,000,000 satoshis (7 BTC) currently worth $706,000 at the time of writing, is being granted across 20 different projects around the world focusing on technical education for people living under authoritarian regimes, independent media outlets, decentralizing mining, and providing human rights groups with more private financial solutions — with a main areas of focus for these grants center around countries and regions in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

While the HRF did not disclose how much money each project is receiving specifically, the following 20 projects are the recipients of today’s round of grants worth 7 BTC:

Stratum V2 Reference Implementation (SRI), an open-source software that decentralizes Bitcoin mining by enabling nodes to construct their own block templates. This helps promote solo mining, reduces reliance on large mining pools, and strengthens Bitcoin’s permissionless and censorship-resistant qualities. Funding will support developer bit-aloo’s full-time work on SRI, including benchmarking tools to evaluate the performance of Stratum V2, integration tests, codebase maintenance, and software documentation.

Public Pool, a free and open-source mining pool optimized for low hash rate devices (a mining device with limited computational power). Users can self-host a Stratum server and select their own block templates without relying on a third party. By making Bitcoin mining more accessible and decentralized, Public Pool strengthens the Bitcoin network. Funding will support hosting costs, hardware upgrades, and operational expenses.

Naiyoma, the first female Bitcoin Core developer from Africa. Hailing from Kenya, she is dedicated to fostering an open financial system rooted in transparency, freedom, and fairness. Her work focuses on reviewing pull requests (PRs), addressing bugs through new PRs, and improving Bitcoin Core’s codebase. Funds will support her full-time contributions to advancing Bitcoin Core.

Daniela Brozzoni, an experienced software developer. Previously, she contributed to the Bitcoin Development Kit (BDK), a software library that allows you to build cross-platform Bitcoin wallets. She is now shifting her focus to Bitcoin Core, where her work will be reviewing key pull requests (PRs), contributing to new features, and improving testing coverage. Through her efforts, Daniela aims to enhance Bitcoin’s decentralization, privacy, and resilience. This grant will support her full-time contributions to Bitcoin Core.

UX/UI Design for Bitcoin Core, redesign work by product designer Michael Haase that aims to bring the Bitcoin Core App to mobile devices (making it accessible beyond desktop use). This update will enable users to run nodes, access essential wallet features (such as Silent Payments and multisignature) directly on their phones, and improve their financial privacy. Funding will support the project’s design and development.

No BS Bitcoin, a newsdesk delivering the latest Bitcoin news and updates on open-source technologies in a clear and accessible format. Free from ads, tracking and paywalls, the platform consistently highlights privacy and freedom technologies essential for activists and citizens under authoritarian regimes. Funding will ensure the site’s continued operation, enable the hiring of an additional editor, and support the introduction of Nostr features (like Zaps and comments) to foster greater community engagement.

Tando, a new payment application co-founded by Sabina Gitau, empowering 54 million Kenyans to have the option to use Bitcoin for everyday transactions. By integrating with M-PESA, Kenya’s leading mobile payments system, Tando allows users to pay in Bitcoin via a Lightning wallet, while merchants receive Kenyan Shillings. The platform is KYC-free and has no fees, offering an affordable and private payment solution. Funds will help boost Tando’s liquidity, support a growing user base, and drive expansion across the African continent.

YakiHonne, a client for the decentralized Nostr protocol built by a team in East and Southeast Asia. It was developed by Wendy Ding to support free speech and promote Bitcoin payments across 170 countries. With innovative functionality and a blend of online and offline events, YakiHonne seeks to drive the adoption of decentralized social media. Funding will support smart widget development, relay network improvements, and influencer engagement to expand Nostr’s reach and impact.

SeedSigner Multi-language Support, a translation project by developer Ace to integrate multi-language functionality into the fully customizable, open-source SeedSigner hardware wallet. This will enhance accessibility for users worldwide and empower marginalized communities to achieve financial sovereignty through inexpensive and accessible self-custody. Funding will support the developer’s efforts to deliver a multi-language version of SeedSigner within the next year.

Vexl, a peer-to-peer Bitcoin trading application founded by Lea Petrasova to provide users with a private and Know-Your-Customer (KYC) free Bitcoin experience. By connecting users through their phone contacts, Vexl enables secure, direct Bitcoin transactions in a peer-to-peer manner. The app aims to make private Bitcoin usage more accessible while offering critical protection against authoritarian regimes. Funding will support Vexl’s growth, focusing on reaching African communities and driving improvements to its backend infrastructure.

Tomatech, a community focused on building a team of developers in India to advance Bitcoin infrastructure and Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) projects. By offering mentorship and training, it bridges the gap between education and practical experience. Additionally, its Goa-based cultural center and community space will foster a vibrant Bitcoin community through meetups, workshops, and residencies. Funding will support developer training, the creation of a developer hub, bounties and grants, and general operations.

Krux, open-source software that turns generic devices into hardware wallets for secure Bitcoin self-custody and transactions. It features air-gapped operations, key management and backups, an intuitive interface, and support for 10 languages. This project can help decentralize Bitcoin custody and safeguard freedom and property rights in authoritarian regimes. Funding will help developer Odudex further advance this innovative open-source project.

Iris, a Nostr web client created by developer Martti Malmi designed to make private and secure messaging simpler and safer. Using the MIT-licensed nostr-double ratchet library, it aims to improve protection for metadata and message content, ensuring conversations remain private—especially in surveillant environments. Funding will support hiring a developer to expand Iris’s features and functionality.

African UX Bitcoin Bootcamp, a program that empowers talented Bitcoin UX designers from authoritarian countries with the opportunity to attend the Africa Bitcoin Conference (ABC) for hands-on training and networking. Led by Bitcoin Design Foundation’s co-founder, Mogashni Naidoo, participants will receive on-ground training and test the usability of their products at ABC. Funds will cover the program expenses, including flights, accommodations, and logistics, ensuring accessibility for all participants.

Bitcoin History, a research project by Pete Rizzo dedicated to documenting and preserving key people, events, and materials (ie. photographs, videos, links, information) that shaped Bitcoin’s rise as a global monetary and human rights force. Focused on “the history of the future of money,” the project highlights Bitcoin’s role as a tool for financial freedom. The grant will support an additional researcher to investigate and document stories of Bitcoin’s use against authoritarian regimes.

Cashu-ts, the primary Software Development Kit (SDK) in the Cashu ecosystem developed by Gandlaf21. It simplifies wallet creation, integrates the latest protocol updates, and powers popular wallets (like Minibits, eNuts, and Nutstash). By enabling the development of secure, privacy-focused “digital cash” wallets, Cashu-ts plays a vital role in advancing the Cashu ecosystem and financial privacy. This grant will support the developers in maintaining and improving this essential library.

Unify, a Payjoin wallet developed by Fontaine to enhance privacy in Bitcoin transactions. Built using Nostr and Bitcoin Core, it leverages Payjoins to obscure transaction histories by enabling multiple parties to make collaborative payments (making Bitcoin inherently more private). This functionality is especially crucial for individuals navigating repressive regimes. Funding will support the developer’s full-time contributions, advancing Unify’s features and expanding its compatibility with other wallets.

The Financial Freedom Policy Coalition, a policy coalition founded by Venezuelan activist, Jorge Jraissati, brings together youth leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to promote economic opportunities for people living under authoritarian regimes. The coalition plans advocacy missions to educate policymakers on how Bitcoin can support human rights and create social benefits. Funds will cover the costs of organizing and running these missions.

Jon Atack, a Bitcoin Core contributor and Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) editor, recognized as one of the top all-time contributors to Bitcoin Core. As a dedicated developer, he plays a pivotal role in enhancing Bitcoin’s decentralization and robustness. Atack is also a staunch advocate for using Bitcoin and open-source software as tools to resist tyranny and advance global human rights. This grant will empower him to continue his vital contributions to Bitcoin development.

Brink, an organization committed to strengthening the Bitcoin protocol through research and development. Co-founded by Mike Schmidt, Brink supports Bitcoin protocol engineers with grants and offers training and mentorship to onboard new contributors to open-source development. This grant will cover operational expenses, ensuring continued support for open-source developers and the advancement of Bitcoin’s core infrastructure.

The HRF is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies. The HRF continues to raise support for the Bitcoin Development Fund, and interested donors can find more info on how to donate here. Applications for grant support by the HRF can be submitted here.