HARDWARE WALLET MARKET ANALYSIS

Market Size and Trends

The Hardware Wallet Market is estimated to be valued at USD 282.1 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1223.2 Million by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.3% from 2024 to 2031.

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Hardware wallets provide physical security for cryptocurrencies and other digital assets by keeping private keys and data offline on a secure element chip. They are designed to be more secure and easier to use than paper wallets or software wallets. The hardware wallet market is expected to grow substantially over the forecast period driven by the rising adoption of cryptocurrencies worldwide. As value of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin continues to surge, there is growing demand for secure and trusted methods to store digital assets long term. Hardware wallets meet this need as they allow cryptocurrency investors and enthusiasts to maintain full control over their private keys without worrying about hacking or cyber threats. Various hardware wallet manufacturers are expected to launch more user-friendly and advanced products to capitalize on the growing market opportunity.

Growth in cryptocurrency usage and adoption

With the rise of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum over the past decade, the need for secure and decentralized storage solutions has grown considerably. Unlike traditional currencies that exist primarily in digital form controlled by centralized banks and financial institutions, cryptocurrencies operate on blockchain networks that allow peer-to-peer transactions without an intermediate authority. However, this independence comes at the price of higher risks of theft and hacking if the private keys that authorize transactions are not properly protected. Hardware wallets provide an offline, physical key storage solution that has gained popularity among cryptocurrency users as a safer alternative to keeping their private keys on networked devices or online exchanges vulnerable to cyberattacks.

As the total market value of cryptocurrencies has ballooned to over USD 2 trillion and new users continue being attracted to the asset class, hardware wallets have emerged as a preferred option for experienced crypto investors looking to securely manage their holdings. Major hardware wallet manufacturers have ramped up production capacity to meet the needs of this fast-growing customer segment. As of March 2022, the World Economic Forum reports that there are 18,142 cryptocurrencies and 460 crypto-exchanges. The total market cap of cryptocurrencies is $1.7 trillion. Daily trading volume reaches $91 billion, with most trades involving Bitcoin or Ethereum.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

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Another driver strengthening the hardware wallet industry is the general preference among experienced cryptocurrency owners for non-custodial personally controlled storage of private keys rather than leaving them with exchanges or other custodial services. Major exchange hacks and thefts in the past have demonstrated the risks of these custodial solutions, with investors standing to lose all their funds if the exchange is compromised. Hardware wallets solve this issue of counterparty risk by allowing users to retain full ownership of their private keys without reliance on third parties that could be hacked or go bankrupt.

The self-sovereignty offered by hardware wallets closely matches the political economy values around decentralization and censorship-resistance that initially drove the creation of Bitcoin. As the community has matured, these principles of personal control over assets have grown in importance.

In December 2023, Block Inc. which is a fintech company, launched Bitkey, a self-custody Bitcoin wallet available in India and 94 other countries. Bitkey provides investors with a comprehensive solution for owning, managing, and storing Bitcoin off exchanges, incorporating a mobile app, hardware device, and recovery tools utilizing three keys for enhanced security.

Key Takeaways of Analyst:

Major growth drivers of the hardware wallet market include the rising adoption of cryptocurrencies globally and an increasing emphasis on security among crypto holders. As crypto assets become more valuable, there is growing demand for secure and offline storage solutions like hardware wallets. However, high initial costs of these devices may restrain the market to some extent.

The North America region, is expected to dominate the hardware wallet market owing to growing cryptocurrency investments and trading in these markets. Asia Pacific region especially countries like China and India, will continue being another major market backed by strong technological advancements and presence of prominent players.

Within the hardware wallet landscape, desktop wallets are currently the most popular product type but demand for mobile wallets is likely to surge the most. Rising millennial investments in cryptocurrencies and ease of using mobile devices are factors that will drive mobile hardware wallet uptake. Leading hardware wallet vendors are investing in advanced biometric authentication and additional coin/token support to differentiate their offerings. Partnerships between wallet providers and crypto exchanges are also expected to boost market penetration.

Market Challenges: Navigating Security, Awareness, and Cost Challenges

One of the major challenges faced by hardware wallet manufacturers is security vulnerabilities. As cryptocurrency continues to gain mainstream popularity, hardware wallets containing large amounts of digital assets become a lucrative target for hackers. Manufacturers must continue advancing security protocols to prevent private keys from being stolen. Additionally, limited brand awareness among general consumers remains an obstacle compared to familiar software wallets. The high costs associated with production and certification also pose difficulties, especially for startups looking to enter this niche market segment.

Market Opportunities: Rising Cryptocurrency Adoption

Fueled by rising cryptocurrency adoption, the hardware wallet market is poised for significant growth. As more mainstream consumers enter the crypto space, demand for secure storage solutions will soar.  This growth will be further amplified by larger exchanges and institutions integrating hardware wallet support, expanding the potential customer base. Additionally, strategic partnerships between wallet providers and blockchain companies can create a win-win situation for all, fostering wider adoption and innovation within the ecosystem. By continuously improving features, form factors, and compatibility with various cryptocurrencies and blockchains, the hardware wallet market is well-positioned to capitalize on the surging interest in digital assets.

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Insights, By Wallet Type - Convenience drives adoption of hot wallets

In terms of Wallet Type, Hot Wallet is estimated to hold the highest share of 68.6% in 2024, owing to its convenience. Hot Wallets allow easy access to cryptocurrencies through internet connectivity, making transactions fast and simple. With Hot Wallets, users do not need to worry about safely storing private keys like they would with Cold Wallets. This ease of use has particularly driven adoption among younger users and those just entering the cryptocurrency space.

Insights, By Connection Type - USB dominates due to widespread compatibility

In terms of Connection Type, the USB segment is estimated to hold the highest share of 44.17% in 2024. USB has emerged as the leading connection type due to its near-ubiquitous compatibility across devices. Most computers and smartphones support USB connections out of the box, without any additional hardware requirements. This plug-and-play usability has boosted USB adoption over alternatives like NFC or Bluetooth that require specific device configurations. The accessibility of USB hardware wallets has helped onboard many new users comfortably while giving experienced users a reliable option.

In October 2021, the partnership between CoolBitX, the creator of the Bluetooth hardware wallet CoolWallet Pro designed for DeFi enthusiasts, and Crypto.com, a prominent global cryptocurrency platform, was announced. The official CoolWallet website has seamlessly integrated Crypto.com Pay, a robust payment solution offering users cashback and various benefits for cryptocurrency transactions, along with built-in support for the CRO token.

Insights, By End User - Enterprise needs drive commercial segment

In terms of End User, the Commercial segment is estimated to hold the highest share of 68.38% in 2024. Unlike individual users, enterprises require robust security and management tools to handle cryptocurrency transactions and storage at scale. Features like multisignature authorization, remote monitoring, and configurable access control suit the oversight and compliance needs of companies. Hardware wallets also facilitate seamless integration with business software. These advantages have led to widespread hardware wallet adoption among companies trading, investing in, or otherwise utilizing digital currencies institutionally.

Regional Insights

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The North America region currently dominates the global hardware wallet market and is estimated to hold the market share of 38.91% in 2024, due to high consumer awareness about cryptocurrency security and investments made by hardware wallet manufacturers in the region. Companies like Ledger and Trezor have established their headquarters in the U.S. to cater to the growing demands and leverage the skilled talent pool. Due to the increased investments in security solutions and presence of major hardware wallet vendors in key areas like Silicon Valley, the hardware wallet adoption rate in North America surpasses other regions. Moreover, the open regulations regarding crypto assets ownership and active trading on exchanges have propelled the demand for secure on-device crypto storage like hardware wallets.

Europe comes next only to North America in terms of hardware wallet usage, mainly driven by countries like Germany and the U.K. Many top cryptocurrency exchanges and trading platforms are Europe-based which has enhanced overall crypto exposure and investor interest across other countries as well. This, coupled with initiatives to regulate the crypto industry, has reassured European customers about asset security. Furthermore, hardware wallet manufacturers view EU nations as profitable markets and maintain local manufacturing and distribution infrastructure to effectively serve the demands.

Asia Pacific region, especially Southeast Asian countries, is emerging as the fastest growing market for hardware wallets globally and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 26.12% for the forecast period of 2024-2031. With rising internet and smartphone penetration, cryptocurrency trading and ownership has picked up significantly in nations like India, Vietnam and Indonesia in recent times. Due to the active presence of crypto exchanges, increased merchant acceptance, and growing peer-to-peer trading communities, hardware wallet adoption is gradually gaining momentum in APAC as investors focus on asset protection against cyber risks and volatility. Majority of hardware wallet startups are developing low-cost, user-friendly solutions to cater to the price-sensitive APAC markets and strengthen regional market foothold.

The expansion of cyberattacks within the cryptocurrency market in the region serves as a catalyst for the growth of the local hardware wallet market. For example, in September 2021, a Malaysian web hosting service fell victim to a ransomware attack demanding USD 900,000 in cryptocurrencies. Similarly, in May 2021, four subsidiaries of a multinational insurance company across Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines were targeted in a ransomware attack demanding USD 20 million in payment.

Market Report Scope

Key Developments

• October 2023 saw Trezor a cold storage wallets for crypto providers unveiling of two new products: Trezor Safe 3 and Trezor Metal. Trezor Safe 3, the third generation of its flagship hardware wallet, boasts support for over 1,000 coins and tokens, featuring a larger touchscreen, faster processor, USB-C port, and redesigned interface.
• In July 2023, the Chinese Central Bank introduced a digital yuan "hard" wallet system based on offline SIM cards, enabling users to conduct transactions in the central bank digital currency (CBDC) using powered-off phones, potentially extending usability to 2G devices.
• In May 2023, SecuX a hardware walled provider, entered into a strategic collaboration with Trend Micro, introducing the W20 Trend Micro edition cold wallet pre-loaded with Trend Micro ChainSafer blockchain reputation service. The W20 offers users comprehensive protection across Web2 and Web3, enhancing anti-counterfeiting, authentication, and anti-fraud capabilities.

*Definition: A hardware wallet is a physical hardware device that allows users to securely store cryptocurrency offline and control private keys. The hardware wallet market consists of manufacturers and vendors that design, produce and sell hardware devices that store users' cryptocurrency private keys in a secure offline environment to provide enhanced protection against hacking and theft compared to software or online wallets. Hardware wallets help users securely access and transact with their cryptocurrency holdings while keeping them in cold storage for extra protection.

Market Segmentation

•  Wallet Type Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Hot Wallet
  • Cold Wallet
•  Connection Type Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Near-field Communication
  • Bluetooth 
  • USB
• End User Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Commercial
  • Individual
• Regional Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa
    • South Africa
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East & Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • ARCHOS
  • BitLox
  • Casa
  • CoolBitX Technology Ltd.
  • ELLIPAL Limited
  • Guardarian
  • IoTrust
  • Keystone Hardware Wallet
  • Ledger SAS
  • OPOLO SARL
  • Satoshi Labs SRO
  • Securix Technology Inc.
  • ShapeShift AG
  • Shift Crypto AG
  • Sugi (zSofitto NV)