Jade Plus: Review

Alright, folks, Dale here, from Quick Bit, your friendly neighborhood… well, the neighborhood crypto boutique, here in Canada. And let me tell ya, I’ve seen a few things in my time. Been around since, well, let’s just say before “crypto” was even a word.

So, this Blockstream Jade Plus, another piece of tech promising to keep your precious sats safe. And you know what? This one ain’t half bad.

What is It?

This Jade Plus, it’s a hardware wallet. Now, for those of you just tuning in, a hardware wallet is like Fort Knox for your Bitcoin. It keeps your private keys – the really important stuff – offline, away from the scumbags lurking in the shadows of the internet. Blockstream, they’re a reputable bunch. They’re not fly-by-night; they’ve been building in this space for a while.

What I Like

• Security: This is job number one, right? And the Jade Plus, it delivers. It’s got all the security bells and whistles you’d expect and a few more.
• Open Source: I like that it’s open source. Means a bunch of smart eyes can look at the code and make sure there’s nothing fishy going on. In this space, trust is rare, so transparency is key.
• Usability: It’s designed for both newbies and old-timers. And that’s important. We don’t want your grandma losing her life savings because she couldn’t figure out how to work the damn thing.
• Blockstream Green: Works seamlessly with Blockstream Green.

What I Don’t Like

• Price: Let’s face it; it ain’t the cheapest piece of kit on the market. But then again, can you really put a price on peace of mind? I always tell folks you get what you pay for. It’s worth considering the long-term costs here. Banks often hit you with a barrage of fees – monthly account fees, transaction fees, ATM fees, and the list goes on. These can easily add up to hundreds of dollars a year. In comparison, a one-time purchase of a hardware wallet like the Jade Plus, while an upfront cost, could save you money in the long run. Especially if you’re holding a significant amount of Bitcoin. You are your own bank, and there are responsibilities that come with that.
• Bitcoin Only (mostly): It’s mostly for Bitcoin. If you’re deep into other coins, you might need something else.

Dale’s Take

Look, I’m an old-timer. I’ve seen enough scams and hacks to make my hair turn even whiter. And I’m here to tell you, self-custody is the way to go. If you don’t hold your keys, you don’t own your coins. It’s that simple.

This Blockstream Jade Plus, it’s a solid piece of hardware. It’ll keep your Bitcoin safe, and it’s not too complicated to use. Is it perfect? Nah, nothing is. But it’s a damn sight better than leaving your coins on some exchange where they can disappear faster than a politician’s promise.

And remember, we’re here at Quick Bit, a Canadian-owned and operated shop. We specialize in this stuff – hardware wallets, cold storage, and education. We’ve got that “inflationary” customer service – you know, the kind where we care and know what we’re talking about. We’re OG, we’re active in the Canadian Bitcoin community, and we’re here to help you navigate this crazy world. So, you know, shop local, support local, and come see us. We’ll treat you right.