Secure hardware encrypted wallet for smart phone

Abstract

Cryptocurrency transactions become more and more popular. Important security practices of cryptocurrency transactions include maintaining an encrypted wallet with a private key for signing a cryptocurrency transaction. A hardware-based encrypted wallet with a secure element retains a private key that is highly secure. A cable assembly connecting a smartphone baseband processor to a smartphone display screen may have a hardware-based encrypted wallet disposed in the cable assembly. The cable assembly may have a secure element connected to a smartphone baseband processor via a wireless connection. In this manner, the display screen may be utilized by both the smartphone baseband processor and the secure element and the private key may be securely retained in the secure element such that cryptocurrency transactions may be performed by an application running on the smartphone without exposing the private key to the smartphone baseband processor.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 410,575, filed on September 27, 2022, entitled “SECURE HARDWARE CRYPTOWALLETS FOR SMARTPHONES,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to crypto wallets, and more particularly, the present disclosure relates to secure hardware for crypto wallets. Background Art

[0004] Crypto wallets are used to generate and store the cryptographic keys needed to perform cryptocurrency transactions. The private keys of crypto wallets are usually generated via a deterministic hierarchical scheme based on a master secret (called a seed value). In addition to the cryptographic seed value, the private key and / or wallet personal identification number (PIN) code are also important to maintain securely. If the seed value, private key and / or wallet PIN code are leaked or compromised, then hackers may gain control of the crypto wallet and / or initiate harmful transactions. Summary of the invention

[0005] A hardware encryption wallet cable assembly is disclosed. The hardware encryption wallet cable assembly is used to connect a smartphone baseband processor to a display screen. The cable assembly may include a first connector connectable to the smartphone baseband processor. The cable assembly may include a second connector connectable to the display screen. The cable assembly may include a cable connecting the first connector and the second connector to each other. The cable assembly may include a hardware encryption wallet disposed in at least one of (1) the first connector, (2) the second connector, and / or (3) the cable.

[0006] One or more further features or aspects may be provided. For example, the hardware crypto wallet may include a secure element that can be wirelessly connected to a smartphone baseband processor via a communication interface. The communication interface may be a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver. The communication interface may be a wireless transceiver. The hardware crypto wallet may include a multiplexer configured to selectively connect a display screen to (i) the secure element and / or (ii) the smartphone baseband processor so that the secure element can display transaction details of a cryptocurrency transaction on the display screen. The hardware crypto wallet may also have a sensor connected to the secure element to receive biometric data from a user to verify the identity of the user by the secure element.

[0007] The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly can be a direct replacement for a cable connecting a smartphone baseband processor and a display screen, wherein the hardware crypto wallet cable assembly interacts with applications running on the smartphone baseband processor via a wireless connection of the hardware crypto wallet to the smartphone baseband processor. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly can replace the cable without making any other changes to the smartphone baseband processor and the display screen.

[0008] A smartphone with a hardware cryptographic wallet is disclosed. The smartphone may include a smartphone baseband processor configured to run a smartphone application. The smartphone may include a display screen configured to display user-readable output from the smartphone baseband processor. The smartphone may include a cable assembly connecting the smartphone baseband processor to the display screen. The cable assembly may have a hardware cryptographic wallet.

[0009] One or more further features or aspects may be provided. For example, the cable assembly may include a first connector connected to a smartphone baseband processor, a second connector connected to a display screen, and a cable connecting the first connector and the second connector to each other. The hardware crypto wallet may be disposed in at least one of (1) the first connector, (2) the second connector, and (3) the cable. The hardware crypto wallet may have a secure element wirelessly connected to the smartphone baseband processor via a communication interface. The communication interface may be a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver. The communication interface may be a wireless transceiver. The hardware crypto wallet may include a multiplexer configured to selectively connect the display screen to (i) the secure element and (ii) the smartphone baseband processor, so that the secure element can display transaction details of a cryptocurrency transaction on the display screen. The hardware crypto wallet may include a sensor connected to the secure element to receive biometric data from a user to verify the identity of the user by the secure element.

[0010] The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly can be a direct replacement for a cable connecting a smartphone baseband processor and a display screen, wherein the hardware crypto wallet cable assembly interacts with applications running on the smartphone baseband processor via a wireless connection of the hardware crypto wallet to the smartphone baseband processor. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly can replace the cable without making any other changes to the smartphone baseband processor and the display screen.

[0011] A method for performing cryptocurrency transactions using a smartphone with a hardware crypto wallet is provided. The method may include sending a cryptocurrency transaction to the hardware crypto wallet via a wireless communication interface by a smartphone application running on a smartphone baseband processor of the smartphone. The method may include receiving the transaction by a secure element of the hardware crypto wallet, parsing the transaction, and generating a visible representation of the transaction. The method may include sending the visible representation to a controller by the secure element to frame buffer the visible representation. The method may include providing a control signal by the secure element to a multiplexer connected to (i) the smartphone baseband processor and to (ii) the controller, the control signal directing the multiplexer to (a) disconnect the smartphone baseband processor from the display screen, and (b) connect the secure element to the display screen. The method may include receiving an interaction from a user by a sensor of the hardware crypto wallet, the interaction verifying the accuracy of the visible representation. The method may include, in response to the interaction, signing the transaction by the secure element using a private key to generate a signed transaction. The method may include transmitting the signed transaction to the smartphone application running on the smartphone baseband processor via the wireless communication interface by the secure element.

[0012] The method may include one or more other aspects. For example, the visible representation may be a transaction amount and a recipient address. The hardware crypto wallet may be in a cable assembly that connects a smartphone baseband processor of a smartphone to a smartphone display. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to similar elements throughout the drawings, and:

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of components of a smart phone according to various embodiments;

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of components of a smartphone with a secure hardware crypto wallet according to various embodiments;

[0016] Figure 3A-3C is a schematic diagram of different hardware crypto wallet cable assemblies of a secure hardware crypto wallet according to various embodiments;

[0017] Figure 4 is a detailed illustration of components of a secure hardware crypto wallet for a smartphone according to various embodiments; and

[0018] Figure 5 Depicted are methods of performing cryptocurrency transactions using a smartphone with a secure hardware crypto wallet in accordance with various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following description relates only to various exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. On the contrary, the following description is intended to provide a convenient description of various embodiments for implementing the best mode. It will be clear that various changes may be made to the functions and arrangements of the elements described in these embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0020] Crypto wallets are used to generate and store the cryptographic keys required to perform cryptocurrency transactions. Crypto wallets include at least two common types. A software wallet is a crypto wallet that is a smartphone or desktop application that stores cryptographic keys and also manages incoming and outgoing transactions. A hardware wallet is a crypto wallet with an embedded device, such as a secure element (SE), that stores a private key for signing outgoing transactions. The hardware wallet communicates with a smartphone, desktop, or web application "watch-only wallet" that only stores the corresponding public key of the hardware wallet private key. The watch wallet monitors incoming transactions and prepares unsigned outgoing transactions for the embedded device, but cannot sign outgoing transactions. The embedded device verifies the transaction details, retrieves the applicable signing key, signs the transaction, and sends the signed transaction back to the smartphone, desktop, or web application to broadcast to the mining node.

[0021] Hardware crypto wallets are known to be more secure than software crypto wallets because software crypto wallets coexist with other applications on a smartphone or desktop, and therefore private keys are vulnerable to software attacks on the shared platform, whereas keys in a hardware crypto wallet never leave the embedded device. Access to hardware crypto wallet operations is typically protected by a personal identification number (PIN) or a sensed biometric feature such as a fingerprint or facial recognition.

[0022] The private key of the crypto wallet can be generated via a deterministic hierarchical scheme based on a master secret. The master secret is called a seed value. This seed value is important and must be maintained securely. The private key must also be maintained securely. In addition, in some cases, the user may be required to enter a PIN code associated with the crypto wallet to authorize various transactions. The PIN code should also be maintained securely.

[0023] In parallel with these security requirements, wallet users also expect operational convenience. One way to increase convenience is to perform crypto wallet transactions on a smartphone. However, while smartphones increase convenience, they also introduce security risks.

[0024] Therefore, performing crypto wallet transactions on a smartphone is difficult for a variety of reasons. For example, smartphone software is built on an operating system (e.g., iOS or Android) that controls and oversees the operation of applications (such as wallet software applications). Malware or malicious software may compromise the operation of applications and / or the operating system. Malicious firmware may compromise the operation and security of smartphone storage components (such as electronic storage) and user interface (UI) components (such as displays and touch controllers).

[0025] These attacks may result in compromise of user inputs and outputs to / from the smartphone UI and storage of wallet secrets in the smartphone electronic memory. Such compromise may result in a malicious attacker gaining access to crypto wallet private keys, seed phrases, and / or wallet PINs. An attacker may compromise user transaction inputs or outputs, allowing the attacker to change a cryptocurrency transaction recipient or cryptocurrency transaction amount.

[0026] The present disclosure includes systems and methods that address both convenience and security considerations while avoiding expensive or difficult changes to smartphone hardware. The present disclosure provides a hardware solution for isolating crypto wallet operations. The present disclosure maintains the current form-factor of smartphones (e.g., phones with a single touch screen). The present disclosure enables smartphone manufacturers to integrate hardware crypto wallets into smartphones with minimal changes to existing smartphone hardware and software. The present disclosure enables hardware crypto wallets to be added via add-on modules or via integration into cables (such as cables or connectors that connect a smartphone screen to other components of a smartphone). By integrating the hardware crypto wallet into a cable or connector that connects the screen to other components of a smartphone, the hardware crypto wallet can be added without requiring any changes to the hardware or software of the smartphone, except that instead of assembling the phone with a traditional cable or connector that connects the screen to other components, a cable or connector with an embedded hardware crypto wallet is used.

[0027] refer to Figure 1, depicts a smart phone 100 in block diagram form. The smart phone 100 has a smart phone baseband processor 102. As used herein, the smart phone baseband processor 102 includes circuits and other components that make up the smart phone 100. The smart phone 100 also has a phone display 104. The phone display 104 includes user interface components that allow human interaction with the features of the smart phone baseband processor 102. For example, the phone display 104 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD) display. The phone display 104 can have a touch sensor, such as a digitizer or other mechanism by which a user can provide input to the phone display 104, such as by clicking, typing on an on-screen keyboard, drawing, writing, and / or other similar methods.

[0028] The smartphone baseband processor 102 and the phone display 104 are connected by a cable assembly 101. The cable assembly 101 may include a cable 106. The cable assembly 101 may include a first connector 108-1. The first connector 108-1 may be provided at one end of the cable 106. The first connector 108-1 may connect the cable 106 at one end to the smartphone baseband processor 102. The cable assembly 101 may have a second connector 108-2. The second connector 108-2 may connect the cable 106 at the other end to the phone display 104.

[0029] Go to Figure 2 , in one example, a smartphone 200 with a secure hardware crypto wallet is depicted. The smartphone 200 may include a smartphone baseband processor 102 and a phone display 104. The hardware crypto wallet module 202 may be disposed in an electrical connection between the smartphone baseband processor 102 and the phone display 104. This hardware crypto wallet module 202 may be disposed in a cable assembly 101. The combination of the cable assembly 101 and the hardware crypto wallet module 202 may be a hardware crypto wallet cable assembly 300 ( Figure 3A-3C ). For example, refer to Figure 3A-3C , illustrating various different configurations of the hardware encryption wallet module 202 provided in various aspects of the cable assembly 101.

[0030] exist Figure 3A , a hardware crypto wallet cable assembly 300 is depicted. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly 300 includes a cable 106 having a first connector 108-1 at one end and a second connector 108-2 at the other end. The hardware crypto wallet module 202 is disposed in the first connector 108-1.

[0031] exist Figure 3B, a hardware crypto wallet cable assembly 300 is depicted. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly 300 includes a cable 106 having a first connector 108-1 at one end and a second connector 108-2 at the other end. The hardware crypto wallet module 202 is disposed in the second connector 108-2.

[0032] exist Figure 3C , a hardware crypto wallet cable assembly 300 is depicted. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly 300 includes a cable 106 having a first connector 108-1 at one end and a second connector 108-2 at the other end. The hardware crypto wallet module 202 is disposed in the cable 106.

[0033] Therefore, it can be understood that the smart phone 100 ( Figure 1 ) can be assembled with conventional components, but not with cable assembly 101 ( Figure 1 ) connects to the smartphone baseband processor 102 ( Figure 1 ) and the telephone display 104 ( Figure 1 ), but the cable assembly 101 ( Figure 1 ) is replaced with the hardware encryption wallet cable assembly 300 ( Figures 3A-3C ), adding hardware crypto wallet functionality to smartphone 100 ( Figure 1 )middle.

[0034] Now go to Figure 4 , showing in detail an example hardware encryption wallet module 202 installed in a smart phone 200. The hardware encryption wallet module 202 may include a variety of different components. For example, the hardware encryption wallet module 202 may include a communication interface 204. In various embodiments, the communication interface 204 may be a Bluetooth low energy communication transceiver. In other embodiments, the communication interface 204 may be a serial communication transceiver. The communication interface 204 may be a wireless communication interface or a wired communication interface. In various embodiments, the communication interface 204 is a wireless communication interface that is configured to communicate with a corresponding interface of the smart phone baseband processor 102 without a wired connection. In this way, the hardware encryption wallet module 202 can communicate with the smart phone baseband processor 102 of the smart phone 200 without requiring any changes to the smart phone baseband processor 102. In this way, the hardware encryption wallet cable assembly 300 ( Figure 3A-3C ) is used to improve the smartphone to have a hardware encryption wallet module 202 without changing the architecture of the smartphone baseband processor 102.

[0035] The hardware encryption wallet module 202 may include a security element 206. Security element 206. A security element (SE) is a tamper-proof platform that can safely host applications and their confidential and cryptographic data. For example, the security element 206 may have a memory and / or processor for the storage of seeds or private keys and for the execution of cryptographic operations using seeds or private keys. For example, for enhanced security, one or more key pairs may be generated within the SE so that the keys are hardware-supported and cannot be retrieved outside the SE. In various cases, one or more of the private keys are retained in the SE. This also contributes to improved security. By retaining the keys within the SE, the keys are protected from the threat of retrieval outside the SE, but can still be used for cryptographic operations. The security element may store private keys (seed phrases), parse cryptocurrency transactions, generate visible representations of transactions to be presented to users, and / or receive user confirmation via buttons or other inputs connected to the security element.

[0036] The hardware encryption wallet module 202 may have a controller 208. The controller 208 may be a microprocessor. In other cases, the controller 208 is a frame buffer. The security element 206 may generate human-readable outputs for display on the phone display 104, and the controller 208 may buffer these outputs so that they may be correctly presented by the phone display 104. The frame buffer may be a video frame buffer and / or an image frame buffer. The frame buffer receives a visible representation of the transaction for presentation to the phone user. In various embodiments, the frame buffer is loaded from the security element via a direct serial interface. The frame buffer may also be part of a microprocessor that receives a visible representation of the transaction. Therefore, the controller 208 converts the visible transaction representation into a video / image stream via a display interface (e.g., MIPIDSI).

[0037] The hardware crypto wallet module 202 may include a display interface multiplexer (MUX) 212. MUX 212 is a device operable to select between multiple inputs and provide a selected one of the multiple inputs on an output. By using MUX 212, the data source provided to the phone display 104 can be switched. In this way, the phone display 104 can be made to display data provided by the smartphone baseband processor 102 of the smartphone 200, or the phone display 104 can be made to display data provided by a different device (such as a secure element 206). MUX 212 is connected to the smartphone baseband processor 102 and is also connected to the secure element 206. MUX 212 is controlled via a control line 210 that is also connected to the secure element 206. In this way, the secure element 206 can operate MUX 212 to switch the data provided to the phone display 104 from the data of the smartphone baseband processor 102 to the data of the secure element 206, so that the user can interact with the secure element 206 securely. In other words, MUX 212 multiplexes the phone display 104 between the smartphone baseband processor 102 and the secure element 206 in response to control signals from the secure element 206 .

[0038] The hardware crypto wallet module 202 may include optional components. For example, an indicator 214 may be provided. The indicator 214 may include a light emitting diode. The indicator 214 may include another human-readable indicator device, such as a tactile feedback device. The indicator 214 is connected to the MUX 212 and operates to indicate which input is currently being provided to the phone display 104. For example, in response to the MUX 212 connecting the secure element 206 to the phone display 104, the indicator 214 may light up.

[0039] Continuing the discussion of optional components, a sensor 216 can also be provided. The sensor 216 can be directly controlled by the security element 206. The sensor 216 can operate to sense biometric data. For example, the sensor 216 can be a touch sensor to detect the fingerprint or other unique physiological characteristics of the user. The sensor 216 can be an optical sensor to detect the user's facial features or other unique physiological characteristics of the user. In various embodiments, the sensor 216 is not directly connected to the security element 206, but as a component of the phone display 104, such as a touch screen digitizer, or an existing sensor of the smart phone 200. The security element 206 can use the sensor 216 to verify the identity of the user interacting with the security element 206. In this way, the unauthorized use of the security element 206 can be prevented. This further reduces the risk of the PIN code or other information being leaked. In various embodiments, the sensor 216 is a button pressed by the user. In another embodiment, the sensor 216 is the touch screen aspect of the phone display 104, and receives the user's typing of the PIN code.

[0040] Having discussed each aspect of the hardware crypto wallet module 202, attention is now directed to Figure 5, for discussion of an example method for using the hardware crypto wallet module 202. In various embodiments, the method 500 may include a user typing a cryptocurrency transaction on a smartphone application running on a smartphone baseband processor of a smartphone (box 502). The smartphone application may send the transaction to the hardware crypto wallet via a communication interface (box 504). The secure element of the hardware crypto wallet receives the transaction, parses the transaction, and generates a visible representation of the transaction (box 506). In various embodiments, the visible representation includes the transaction amount and the recipient address. The secure element sends a visible representation to the controller (box 508). The controller may frame buffer or otherwise generate a video or image and provide the video or image to the MUX (box 510). The secure element may also provide a signal to the MUX, directing the MUX to disconnect the smartphone baseband processor from the phone display and connect the secure element to the phone display (box 512). The user may interact with the sensor to confirm that the visual representation of the transaction on the phone display is accurate (box 514). This interaction may take various forms. For example, the user may press a button. The user can enter a PIN code on the phone display 104 via the touch screen of the phone display 104. The user can provide biometric information, such as touching a sensor to confirm a fingerprint or looking at a sensor to confirm facial recognition. In response to the interaction, the transaction is confirmed to be accurate, and in various embodiments, the identity of the user is confirmed to be authorized. Therefore, in response to the interaction, the security element can sign an encrypted transaction using a private key and forward the signed transaction to the smartphone baseband processor via the communication interface (box 516). The security element can provide a signal to the MUX, directing the MUX to disconnect the security element from the phone display and reconnect the smartphone baseband processor to the phone display (box 518). The smartphone application receives the signed transaction and publishes the signed transaction to the blockchain to complete the transaction (box 520).

[0041] The present disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the features of different embodiments may be combined. Therefore, this specification should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0042] For the sake of brevity, this paper may not describe in detail the conventional techniques for manufacturing and construction. In addition, the connecting lines shown in the various figures included herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and / or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may exist in actual construction methods. As used herein, mechanical communication means any engagement, connection, combination or arrangement, thereby maintaining, retaining or fixing an article in a relatively static spatial relationship with another article. As used herein, electronic communication means any wired, wireless, analog, digital or other mechanism, thereby transmitting information between a machine, circuit or device.

[0043] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with respect to various embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may make any benefit, advantage, or solution occur or become more apparent should not be construed as key, essential, or basic features or elements of the invention. In addition, when a phrase similar to "at least one of A, B, and C" or "at least one of A, B, or C" is used in a claim or specification, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A may be present alone in an embodiment, B may be present alone in an embodiment, C may be present alone in an embodiment, or any combination of elements A, B, and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

[0044] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "for example", "for example", "such as", or "including" are meant to introduce examples that further illustrate a more general subject matter. Unless otherwise noted, these examples are embodiments of the present disclosure and are not meant to be limiting in any way.

[0045] In addition, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly stated in the claims. Unless any claim element herein is explicitly stated using the phrase "components for...", these elements shall not be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112 (f). As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that a process, method, article, or device that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements, but may also include other elements that are not explicitly listed or inherent in such a process, method, article, or device.

Claims

1. A hardware crypto wallet cable assembly for connecting a smartphone baseband processor to a display screen, the cable assembly comprising: a first connector connectable to the smartphone baseband processor; a second connector, the second connector being connectable to the display screen; a cable connecting the first connector and the second connector to each other; as well as A hardware encryption wallet is disposed in at least one of (1) the first connector, (2) the second connector, and / or (3) the cable.

2. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hardware crypto wallet comprises a secure element wirelessly connectable to the smartphone baseband processor via a communication interface.

3. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly of claim 2, wherein the communication interface comprises a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver.

4. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly of claim 2, wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless transceiver.

5. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly of claim 2, wherein the hardware crypto wallet comprises a multiplexer configured to selectively connect the display screen to (i) the secure element and (ii) the smartphone baseband processor, such that the secure element can display transaction details of a cryptocurrency transaction on the display screen.

6. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the hardware crypto wallet cable assembly is a direct replacement for a cable connecting the smartphone baseband processor and the display screen, wherein the hardware crypto wallet cable assembly interacts with an application running on the smartphone baseband processor via a wireless connection of the hardware crypto wallet to the smartphone baseband processor.

7. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly of claim 6, wherein the hardware crypto wallet cable assembly replaces the cable without making any other changes to the smartphone baseband processor and the display.

8. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly of claim 2, wherein the hardware crypto wallet further comprises a sensor connected to the secure element to receive biometric data from a user to verify the identity of the user by the secure element.

9. A smart phone with a hardware encrypted wallet, the smart phone comprising: a smartphone baseband processor configured to run smartphone applications; a display screen configured to display user-readable output from the smartphone application on the smartphone baseband processor; as well as a cable assembly connecting the smartphone baseband processor to the display screen, The cable assembly includes a hardware encryption wallet.

10. The smart phone of claim 9, wherein the cable assembly further comprises: a first connector connected to the smartphone baseband processor; a second connector connected to the display screen; as well as a cable connecting the first connector and the second connector to each other; The hardware encryption wallet is disposed in at least one of (1) the first connector, (2) the second connector, and (3) the cable.

11. The smartphone of claim 10, wherein the hardware crypto wallet comprises a secure element wirelessly connected to the smartphone baseband processor via a communications interface.

12. The smartphone of claim 11, wherein the communication interface comprises a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver.

13. The smartphone of claim 10, wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless transceiver.

14. The smartphone of claim 11, wherein the hardware crypto wallet comprises a multiplexer configured to selectively connect the display screen to (i) the secure element and (ii) the smartphone baseband processor, such that the secure element can display transaction details of a cryptocurrency transaction on the display screen.

15. The smartphone of claim 10, wherein the hardware crypto wallet cable assembly is a direct replacement for a cable connecting the smartphone baseband processor and the display screen, wherein the hardware crypto wallet cable assembly interacts with the smartphone application running on the smartphone baseband processor via a wireless connection of the hardware crypto wallet to the smartphone baseband processor.

16. The smartphone of claim 15, wherein the hardware crypto wallet cable assembly replaces the cable without making any other changes to the smartphone baseband processor and the display.

17. The smartphone of claim 11, wherein the hardware crypto wallet further comprises a sensor connected to the secure element to receive biometric data from a user to verify the identity of the user by the secure element.

18. A method of performing cryptocurrency transactions using a smartphone having a hardware crypto wallet, the method comprising: sending, by a smartphone application running on a smartphone baseband processor of the smartphone, a cryptocurrency transaction to the hardware crypto wallet via a wireless communication interface; receiving, by a secure element of the hardware crypto wallet, the transaction, parsing the transaction, and generating a visible representation of the transaction; sending, by the secure element, the visible representation to a controller to frame buffer the visible representation; providing a control signal by the secure element to a multiplexer connected to (i) the smartphone baseband processor and to (ii) the controller, the control signal directing the multiplexer to (a) disconnect the smartphone baseband processor from the display screen and (b) connect the secure element to the display screen; receiving, by a sensor of the hardware crypto wallet, an interaction from a user, the interaction verifying the accuracy of the visible representation; In response to the interaction, signing, by the secure element, the transaction using a private key to generate a signed transaction; as well as The signed transaction is communicated by the secure element via the wireless communication interface to the smartphone application running on the smartphone baseband processor.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the visible representation includes a transaction amount and a recipient address.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the hardware crypto wallet is in a cable assembly connecting the smartphone baseband processor of the smartphone to a display screen of the smartphone.

Images