In a recent announcement, Ledger Live has added compatibility for Cosmos, a rapidly growing blockchain ecosystem. This update will enable Ledger Live users to send, receive, and stake Cosmos’ native ATOM token, as well as three other Cosmos-based projects: Onomy, Quicksilver, and Persistence. Additionally, Ledger plans to integrate more than 20 new Cosmos projects into its platform by year-end, with Axelar set to be added within the next two weeks.
What makes Ledger the first hardware wallet to offer all three functionalities for Cosmos is its commitment to the space. According to Ledger’s CTO Charles Guillemet, supporting new assets is a challenge that the team embraces by leveraging dedicated teams and development platforms, such as the Developer Portal. This platform enables third-party developers to bring their own assets and blockchain specifics into Ledger Live, simplifying the process of adding new Cosmos projects.
Beyond ATOM, all Cosmos tokens are expected to be staked through Ledger Live. For ATOM staking, Ledger will operate the node itself. However, for other Cosmos tokens, Ledger has partnered with staking firm Chorus One.
Why has Ledger chosen to prioritize Cosmos now? Guillemet acknowledges that there are “plenty of interesting” projects within the blockchain space but maintains that focusing on Cosmos aligns with their current priorities. Already supporting the top 100 blockchains on their device, Ledger has shifted its focus to integrating more features on major chains, adopting an approach similar to those applied to Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Guillemet considers Cosmos to be one of the biggest innovation hubs today and is especially intrigued by the platform’s unique scalability tactics and bridging technology offered by the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol.
The blockchain industry has faced several challenges, with scalability being arguably the most significant among them. Various solutions have been proposed to address this issue, ranging from sharding (which has been partly discarded) to highly promising layer-2 solutions. Some projects have even attempted to develop a fast layer one, though at the cost of centralization.
By integrating with Cosmos, Ledger effectively recognizes the platform’s potential to address the scalability conundrum. With both innovative technology and active developer participation, Cosmos could pave the way for major advancements in the blockchain space. Meanwhile, Ledger’s commitment to providing an accessible and versatile hardware wallet solution remains evident as it continues to support various projects and blockchain ecosystems.
Source: Decrypt
