Secure hardware crypto wallet for your smartphone

Abstract

Cryptocurrency transactions are increasing in popularity. An important security practice for cryptocurrency transactions includes maintaining a crypto wallet with a private key that signs the cryptocurrency transaction. A hardware-based crypto wallet having a secure element that holds the private key is highly secure. A cable assembly connecting a smartphone baseband processor to a display screen of a smartphone can have a hardware-based crypto wallet disposed on the cable assembly. The cable assembly can have a secure element that connects to the smartphone baseband processor via a wireless connection. In this way, the display screen can be utilized by both the smartphone baseband processor and the secure element, and cryptocurrency transactions can be conducted by applications running on the smartphone, but the private key can be securely maintained in the secure element without exposing the private key to the smartphone baseband processor.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 410,575, filed September 27, 2022, entitled "Secure Hardware Crypto Wallet for Smartphones," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention is directed to crypto wallets, and more particularly, the present disclosure is directed to secure hardware for crypto wallets. [Background technology]

[0003] Crypto wallets are used to generate and store cryptographic keys needed to conduct cryptocurrency transactions. The private keys of a crypto wallet are typically generated through a hierarchical deterministic scheme based on a single master secret called a seed value. In addition to the cryptographic seed value, it is important to also securely maintain the private key and / or wallet personal identification number (PIN) code. If the seed value, private key, and / or wallet PIN code are leaked or compromised, a hacker could gain control of the crypto wallet and / or initiate unwanted transactions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A hardware crypto wallet cable assembly is disclosed. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly is for connecting 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 interconnecting the first connector and the second connector. The cable assembly may include a hardware crypto wallet disposed in at least one of (1) the first connector, (2) the second connector, and / or (3) the cable.

[0005] One or more additional features or aspects may be provided. By way of example, the hardware crypto wallet may include a secure element wirelessly connectable 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 radio transceiver. The hardware crypto wallet may include a multiplexer configured to selectably connect a display screen to (i) the secure element and / or (ii) the smartphone baseband processor such that the secure element can display transaction details of the cryptocurrency transaction on the display screen. The hardware crypto wallet may also include a sensor connected to the secure element to receive biometric data from a user to verify the user's identity with the secure element.

[0006] The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly may be a direct substitute for the cable connecting the smartphone baseband processor and display screen, and the hardware crypto wallet cable assembly interacts with applications running on the smartphone baseband processor via the hardware crypto wallet's wireless connection to the smartphone baseband processor. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly may replace the cable without any other modifications being made to the smartphone baseband processor and display screen.

[0007] A smartphone having a hardware crypto wallet is disclosed. The smartphone may include a smartphone baseband processor configured to execute smartphone applications. 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 include a hardware crypto wallet.

[0008] One or more additional features or aspects may be provided. For example, the cable assembly may include a first connector connected to the smartphone baseband processor, a second connector connected to the display screen, and a cable interconnecting the first and second connectors. The hardware crypto wallet may be disposed on 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 selectably connect (i) the secure element and (ii) the display screen to the smartphone baseband processor so that the secure element can display transaction details of the 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 and verify the user's identity with the secure element.

[0009] The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly may be a direct substitute for the cable connecting the smartphone baseband processor and display screen, and the hardware crypto wallet cable assembly interacts with applications running on the smartphone baseband processor via the hardware crypto wallet's wireless connection to the smartphone baseband processor. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly may replace the cable without any other modifications being made to the smartphone baseband processor and display screen.

[0010] A method for conducting cryptocurrency transactions on a smartphone having a hardware crypto wallet is provided. The method may include, by a smartphone application executing on a smartphone baseband processor of the smartphone, sending a cryptocurrency transaction to the hardware crypto wallet via a wireless communication interface. The method may include, by a secure element of the hardware crypto wallet, receiving the transaction, parsing the transaction, and generating a visual representation of the transaction. The method may include, by the secure element, sending the visual representation to a controller and frame-buffering the visual representation. The method may include, by the secure element, providing a control signal to (i) the smartphone baseband processor and (ii) a multiplexer coupled to the controller, the control signal instructing 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 via a sensor of the hardware crypto wallet, the interaction verifying accuracy of the visual representation. The method may include, by the secure element, signing the transaction with a private key in response to the interaction to generate a signed transaction. The method may include transmitting, by the secure element, the signed transaction via a wireless communication interface to a smartphone application executing on a smartphone baseband processor.

[0011] The method may include one or more other aspects. By way of example, the visual representation may be a transaction amount and a recipient address. The hardware crypto wallet may be in a cable assembly connecting a smartphone baseband processor of the smartphone to a display screen of the smartphone. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of components of a smartphone, according to various embodiments. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram of components of a smartphone with a secure hardware cryptographic wallet, according to various embodiments. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a diagram of different hardware crypto wallet cable assemblies for a secure hardware crypto wallet, according to various embodiments. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a diagram of a different hardware crypto wallet cable assembly for a secure hardware crypto wallet, according to various embodiments. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a diagram of a different hardware crypto wallet cable assembly for a secure hardware crypto wallet, according to various embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a detailed diagram of components of a secure hardware crypto wallet for a smartphone, according to various embodiments. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 depicts a method of conducting a cryptocurrency transaction on a smartphone with a secure hardware crypto wallet, according to various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following description relates only to various preferred embodiments and is in no way intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, the following description is intended to provide convenient illustrations for implementing various embodiments, including the best mode. As will become apparent, various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in the embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0015] Crypto wallets are used to generate and store cryptographic keys needed to conduct cryptocurrency transactions. Crypto wallets include at least two common types: software wallets, which are smartphone or desktop applications that store cryptographic keys and also manage input and output transactions; and hardware wallets, which have an embedded device, such as a secure element (SE), that stores private keys used to sign output transactions. Hardware wallets communicate with a smartphone, desktop, or web application called a "watch-only wallet," which stores only the corresponding public key of the hardware wallet's private key. The watch-only wallet monitors input transactions and prepares unsigned output transactions for the embedded device, but cannot sign the output transactions. The embedded device verifies the transaction details, obtains the applicable signing key, signs the transaction, and sends the signed transaction back to the smartphone, desktop, or web application for broadcast to mining nodes.

[0016] 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 the private key is vulnerable to software attacks on a shared platform, whereas in a hardware crypto wallet the key never leaves the embedded device. Access to hardware crypto wallet operations is often protected by a personal identification number (PIN) or detected biometrics such as fingerprint or facial recognition.

[0017] The private keys of a crypto wallet may be generated via a hierarchical deterministic scheme based on a single master secret. The master secret is called a seed value. This seed value is important and must be maintained securely. The private keys must also be maintained securely. Additionally, in some instances, a 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.

[0018] Along with these security requirements, wallet users also desire operational convenience. One way to increase convenience is to conduct crypto wallet transactions on smartphones. However, while smartphones increase convenience, they also pose security risks.

[0019] Thus, conducting crypto wallet transactions on smartphones is challenging for a variety of reasons. For example, smartphone software is built on an operating system (e.g., iOS or Android®) that controls and monitors the operation of applications, such as wallet software applications. Malware or malicious software can compromise the operation of applications and / or the operating system. Malicious firmware can compromise the operation and security of smartphone storage components, such as electronic memory, and user interface (UI) components, such as the display and touch controllers.

[0020] These attacks can lead to the compromise of user input and output to / from the smartphone UI and the storage of wallet secrets in the smartphone's electronic memory. Such compromise can lead to a malicious attacker gaining access to cryptocurrency wallet private keys, seed phrases, and / or wallet PIN codes. An attacker can compromise user transaction input or output, allowing the attacker to change the cryptocurrency transaction recipient or cryptocurrency transaction amount.

[0021] The present disclosure includes systems and methods for addressing both convenience and security concerns while avoiding costly or difficult modifications to smartphone hardware. The present disclosure provides a hardware solution that separates crypto wallet operations. The present disclosure maintains the current form factor of smartphones (e.g., phones with a single touchscreen). The present disclosure enables smartphone manufacturers to incorporate hardware crypto wallets into smartphones with minimal modifications to existing smartphone hardware and software. The present disclosure enables hardware crypto wallets to be added via an add-on module or through incorporation into a cable, such as a cable or connector, connecting the smartphone screen to other components of the smartphone. Rather than assembling a phone with a traditional cable or connector connecting the screen to other components, a hardware crypto wallet can instead be added by incorporating the hardware crypto wallet into the cable or connector connecting the screen to other components of the smartphone, without requiring any modifications to the smartphone's hardware or software, except that a cable or connector with an embedded hardware crypto wallet is used.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1 , a smartphone 100 is depicted in block diagram form. The smartphone 100 includes a smartphone baseband processor 102. As used herein, the smartphone baseband processor 102 includes the circuitry and other components that make up the smartphone 100. The smartphone 100 also includes a phone display 104. The phone display 104 includes user interface components that enable human interaction with the features of the smartphone baseband processor 102. For example, the phone display 104 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) display. The phone display 104 may have touch sensors, such as a digitizer or other mechanism, that allow a user to provide input to the phone display 104, such as by clicking, typing against an on-screen keyboard, drawing, writing, and / or the like.

[0023] 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 disposed on one end of the cable 106. The first connector 108-1 may connect the cable 106 on 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 on the other end to the phone display 104.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, one example depicts a smartphone 200 having a secure hardware crypto wallet. The smartphone 200 may include a smartphone baseband processor 102 and a phone display 104. A hardware crypto wallet module 202 may be disposed in electrical connection between the smartphone baseband processor 102 and the phone display 104. The hardware crypto wallet module 202 may be disposed on 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 (FIGS. 3A-3C). By way of example, referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, various different configurations of the hardware crypto wallet module 202 are shown disposed in various ways on the cable assembly 101.

[0025] 3A depicts a hardware crypto wallet cable assembly 300. 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. A hardware crypto wallet module 202 is disposed in the first connector 108-1.

[0026] 3B depicts a hardware crypto wallet cable assembly 300. 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. A hardware crypto wallet module 202 is disposed at the second connector 108-2.

[0027] 3C depicts a hardware crypto wallet cable assembly 300. 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. A hardware crypto wallet module 202 is disposed on the cable 106.

[0028] Thus, one may understand that smartphone 100 (FIG. 1) may be assembled with conventional components, but rather than cable assembly 101 (FIG. 1) for connecting smartphone baseband processor 102 (FIG. 1) and phone display 104 (FIG. 1), hardware crypto wallet functionality is added to smartphone 100 (FIG. 1), and hardware crypto wallet cable assembly 300 (FIGS. 3A-3C) replaces cable assembly 101 (FIG. 1).

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 4 , an exemplary hardware crypto wallet module 202 installed in a smartphone 200 is shown in detail. The hardware crypto wallet module 202 may comprise a variety of different components. For example, the hardware crypto wallet module 202 may include a communication interface 204. In various embodiments, the communication interface 204 may be a Bluetooth low energy communications transceiver. In further embodiments, the communication interface 204 may be a serial communications 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 configured to communicate with a corresponding interface of the smartphone baseband processor 102 without a wired connection. In this manner, the hardware crypto wallet module 202 may communicate with the smartphone baseband processor 102 of the smartphone 200 without requiring any modifications to the smartphone baseband processor 102. In this manner, use of the hardware crypto wallet cable assembly 300 ( FIGS. 3A-3C ) retrofits a smartphone to include a hardware crypto wallet module 202 without modifying the architecture of the smartphone baseband processor 102.

[0030] The hardware crypto wallet module 202 may include a secure element 206. Secure Element 206. A secure element (SE) is a tamper-resistant platform capable of securely hosting applications and their sensitive and cryptographic data. By way of example, the secure element 206 may have memory and / or a processor for storing a seed or private key and performing cryptographic operations using the seed or private key. By way of example, one or more of the key pairs may be generated within the SE for improved security, such that the keys are hardware-protected and not retrievable outside the SE. In various examples, one or more of the private keys are maintained within the SE, again facilitating improved security. By maintaining the keys within the SE, the keys are secured from retrieval outside the SE but may still be used for cryptographic operations. The secure element may store the private key (seed phrase), parse cryptocurrency transactions, generate a visual representation of the transaction that is presented to the user, and / or receive user confirmation via a pushbutton or other input connected to the secure element.

[0031] The hardware crypto wallet module 202 may include a controller 208. The controller 208 may be a microprocessor. In a further example, the controller 208 is a frame buffer. The secure element 206 may generate human-readable output for display on the telephone display 104, and the controller 208 may buffer the output so that it can be properly rendered by the telephone display 104. The frame buffer may be a video frame buffer and / or an image frame buffer. The frame buffer receives a visual representation of the transaction for presentation to the telephone user. In various embodiments, the frame buffer is loaded from the secure element via a direct serial interface. The frame buffer may also be part of the microprocessor that receives the transaction visual representation. Thus, the controller 208 converts the visual transaction representation into a video / image stream at a display interface (e.g., MIPI DSI).

[0032] The hardware crypto wallet module 202 may include a display interface multiplexer (MUX) 212. The MUX 212 is a device operable to select between multiple inputs and provide a selected one of the multiple inputs at an output. Using the MUX 212, the source of data provided to the telephone display 104 may be switched. In this manner, the telephone display 104 may display data provided by the smartphone baseband processor 102 of the smartphone 200 or data provided by a different device, such as the secure element 206. The MUX 212 is connected to the smartphone baseband processor 102 and also to the secure element 206. The MUX 212 is controlled via control lines 210, which are also connected to the secure element 206. In this manner, the secure element 206 may operate the MUX 212 to switch the data provided to the telephone display 104 from data from the smartphone baseband processor 102 to data from the secure element 206 so that a user may securely interact with the secure element 206. In other words, the 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 .

[0033] The hardware crypto wallet module 202 may include optional components. By way of example, an indicator 214 may be provided. The indicator 214 may comprise a light emitting diode. The indicator 214 may comprise 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 telephone display 104. By way of example, the indicator 214 may illuminate in response to the MUX 212 connecting the secure element 206 to the telephone display 104.

[0034] Continuing with the description of optional components, a sensor 216 may also be provided. The sensor 216 may be directly controlled by the secure element 206. The sensor 216 may operate to sense biometric data. By way of example, the sensor 216 may be a touch sensor that detects a user's fingerprint or other unique physiological characteristic. The sensor 216 may be an optical sensor that detects a user's facial features or other unique physiological characteristic related to the user. In various embodiments, the sensor 216 is not directly connected to the secure element 206, but rather is a component of the phone display 104, such as a touchscreen digitizer, or an existing sensor in the smartphone 200. The secure element 206 may use the sensor 216 to verify the identity of a user interacting with the secure element 206. In this manner, unauthorized use of the secure element 206 may be prevented. This further reduces the risk of a PIN code or other information being compromised. In various embodiments, the sensor 216 is a button pressed by a user. In a further embodiment, the sensor 216 is a touchscreen aspect of the phone display 104 that receives user entry of a PIN code.

[0035] Having described aspects of the hardware crypto wallet module 202, attention is now directed to FIG. 5 for a description of an exemplary method of using the hardware crypto wallet module 202. In various embodiments, method 500 may include a user entering a cryptocurrency transaction in a smartphone application executing on a smartphone baseband processor of a smartphone (block 502). The smartphone application may send the transaction to the hardware crypto wallet via a communications interface (block 504). A secure element of the hardware crypto wallet receives the transaction, parses the transaction, and generates a visual representation of the transaction (block 506). In various embodiments, the visual representation comprises the transaction amount and a recipient address. The secure element sends the visual representation to a controller (block 508). The controller may frame buffer or otherwise generate video or images and provide the video or images to a MUX (block 510). The secure element may also provide a signal to a MUX instructing the MUX to disconnect the smartphone baseband processor from the phone display and connect the secure element to the phone display (block 512). The user may interact with the sensor to confirm the accuracy of the visual representation of the transaction on the phone display (block 514). This interaction may take various forms. For example, the user may press a button. The user may enter a PIN code on the phone display 104 via the touchscreen of the phone display 104. The user may provide biometric information, such as touching the sensor to confirm a fingerprint or gazing at the sensor to confirm facial recognition. In response to the interaction, the transaction is confirmed as accurate, and in various embodiments, the user's identity is confirmed as authorized. Thus, in response to the interaction, the secure element may sign a cryptographic transaction using the private key and transmit the signed transaction to the smartphone baseband processor via the communications interface (block 516).The secure element may provide a signal to the MUX instructing the MUX to disconnect the secure element from the telephone display and reconnect the smartphone baseband processor to the telephone display (block 518). The smartphone application receives the signed transaction and publishes the signed transaction to the blockchain to complete the transaction (block 520).

[0036] The present disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, features of different embodiments can be combined. Accordingly, the specification is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0037] For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques of manufacture and construction may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent preferred 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 a practical method of construction. As used herein, mechanical communication means any joining, connecting, coupling, or arrangement whereby an object is maintained, held, or fixed in a static spatial relationship relative to another object. As used herein, electronic communication means any wired, wireless, analog, digital, or other mechanism whereby information is conveyed between machines, circuits, or devices.

[0038] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with respect to various embodiments. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause or make more pronounced any benefit, advantage, or solution should not be construed as key, necessary, or essential features or elements of the invention. Furthermore, when phrases like "at least one of A, B, and C" or "at least one of A, B, or C" are used in the claims or specification, it is intended that the phrases be interpreted to mean that A may be present alone in an embodiment, that B may be present alone in an embodiment, that C may be present alone in an embodiment, or that any combination of elements A, B, and C may be present in a single embodiment, e.g., A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C.

[0039] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents 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 clarify the general subject matter. Unless otherwise specified, these examples are embodiments of the disclosure and are not meant to be limiting in any way.

[0040] Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in this disclosure is intended to be made available to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is expressly recited in a claim. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for." As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements not only includes the elements in question, but may also include other elements that are not expressly recited or that are inherent in such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Claims

1. 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 connectable to the display screen; a cable interconnecting the first connector and the second connector; a hardware cryptographic wallet disposed on at least one of (1) the first connector, (2) the second connector, and / or (3) the cable; 1. A hardware crypto wallet cable assembly comprising:

2. 10. 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 communications 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. 3. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly of claim 2, wherein the hardware crypto wallet comprises a multiplexer configured to selectably 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.

6. 2. The hardware crypto wallet cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the hardware crypto wallet cable assembly is a direct substitute for a cable connecting the smartphone baseband processor and the display screen, and the hardware crypto wallet cable assembly communicates with applications running on the smartphone baseband processor via the hardware crypto wallet's wireless connection to the smartphone baseband processor.

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

8. 3. 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 user's identity with the secure element.

9. 1. A smartphone having a hardware crypto wallet, the smartphone comprising: a smartphone baseband processor configured to execute smartphone applications; a display screen configured to display user-readable output from the smartphone application in the smartphone baseband processor; and a cable assembly connecting the smartphone baseband processor to the display screen; Equipped with The cable assembly comprises a hardware crypto wallet.

10. The cable assembly includes: a first connector connected to the smartphone baseband processor; a second connector connected to the display screen; a cable interconnecting the first connector and the second connector; Further provided with 10. The smartphone of claim 9, wherein the hardware crypto wallet is disposed on at least one of: (1) the first connector, (2) the second connector, and / or (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. 12. The smartphone of claim 11, wherein the hardware crypto wallet comprises a multiplexer configured to selectably 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. 11. The smartphone of claim 10, wherein a hardware crypto wallet cable assembly is a direct substitute for a cable connecting the smartphone baseband processor and the display screen, and 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. 16. The smartphone of claim 15, wherein the hardware crypto wallet cable assembly replaces the cable without any other modifications to the smartphone baseband processor and the display screen.

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

18. 1. A method for conducting cryptocurrency transactions on a smartphone having a hardware crypto wallet, the method comprising: transmitting, via a smartphone application executing 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 visual representation of the transaction; transmitting, by the secure element, the visual representation to a controller for frame buffering the visual representation; providing, by the secure element, control signals to (i) the smartphone baseband processor and (ii) a multiplexer coupled to the controller, the control signals instructing the multiplexer to (a) disconnect the smartphone baseband processor from a display screen and (b) connect the secure element to the display screen; receiving an interaction from a user via a sensor of the hardware crypto wallet, the interaction verifying accuracy of the visual representation; signing, by the secure element, the transaction with a private key in response to the interaction generating a signed transaction; transmitting, by the secure element, the signed transaction via the wireless communication interface to the smartphone application running on the smartphone baseband processor; A method comprising:

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

20. 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.

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