Ledger’s recent introduction of multisignature functionality has sparked significant criticism from developers and users alike. The new feature, offering direct multi-signature transactions through Ledger’s own platform instead of third-party tools like Specter or Sparrow, includes fees of $10 per standard transfer and 0.05% for ERC-20 token transactions. This move has been met with strong pushback from the community who see it as a ‘cash cow’ strategy that undermines Ledger’s original mission to empower self-custody without relying on intermediaries.
While initially viewed positively by some developers, the introduction of these fees and limitations has ignited controversy. Security researcher pcaversaccio, contributor to SEAL-911, termed it a “cash cow” move that contradicts Ledger’s emphasis on user privacy. He warned this per-transaction fee model could transform self-custody into a costly corporate service.
Sarnavo, a developer from the Avalanche ecosystem, echoed these concerns about transparency and control over data. He argued that despite improvements to signing security, access to the new functionality is now hidden behind paywalls, further restricting user autonomy.
The exclusion of Ledger’s Nano S hardware wallet users is also causing concern. Millions rely on this legacy model but lack the necessary memory capacity for clear signing or use of the new multisig service. This move has alienated a large portion of their existing customer base, leading many to view this as a departure from the brand’s open and user-driven philosophy.