Edge Introduces Duress Mode for Crypto Wallet Security

Edge, a self-custody crypto wallet renowned for its emphasis on privacy and user control, has introduced Duress Mode, a pioneering feature designed to help users safeguard their real assets in high-risk situations. This new feature allows users to access a decoy wallet discreetly, providing a layer of protection against physical-world threats such as surveillance, forced wallet unlocks, and privacy violations.

Duress Mode is now available in the latest update of the Edge app. It was developed to address real-world risks that users may encounter during travel, protests, or detentions. The feature enables users to log into a separate decoy account using a custom Duress PIN, which functions and appears like a regular Edge account while keeping the real wallets and balances hidden.

Key features of Duress Mode include a realistic, fully functional decoy account that only displays Duress Mode wallets, hidden access to users’ real accounts unless the original PIN is entered, seamless and stealthy operation with no visible indication of being in Duress Mode, and per-account activation for flexibility and realism. This feature was inspired by a request from a high-net-worth Edge user who sought a way to protect their crypto in various real-world situations, aligning with Edge’s mission to empower individuals with tools that protect privacy and self-custody in both virtual and real-world scenarios.

Duress Mode supports a wide range of real-life use cases, including travelers crossing borders with sensitive crypto holdings, activists operating in surveillance-heavy environments, everyday users concerned about device theft or wandering eyes, and individuals building a personal safety plan for threats of physical violence or robbery. Setting up Duress Mode is straightforward and takes just minutes. Users can set it up individually for each account within Edge, enter their Duress PIN to enable the mode, and interact with crypto as usual within the decoy account environment. To exit Duress Mode, users simply log out and re-enter their correct PIN on any account that has Duress Mode set up.

All transactions in Duress Mode are real and verifiable on-chain. For safety, Edge recommends storing only small, non-critical funds in decoy wallets. Duress Mode is available now on the Edge app for both Android and iOS. For more information on how to set up Duress Mode, users can visit Edge’s blog post. Edge is a self-custody wallet that supports the most popular cryptocurrencies on the market. Originally launched in 2014 as Airbitz, the company rebranded to Edge in 2018 to deliver a secure, private, and easy-to-use platform for buying, selling, and trading crypto. With no personal information required and built-in access to decentralized exchanges, Edge puts privacy and control back in the hands of the user.