Data BreachJanuary 6, 20264 min read

Ledger Data Breach: Payment Processor Compromise Exposes Crypto Wallet Users

Cryptocurrency hardware wallet maker Ledger confirms customer data exposed after third-party payment processor Global-e suffers cloud system breach.

Sarah Mitchell

Cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger is dealing with yet another data breach—this time through its third-party payment processor Global-e. While Ledger emphasizes its actual wallet infrastructure remains secure, customers are once again left wondering how their personal information ended up in the wrong hands.

What Happened

Global-e, the payment processing service Ledger uses for customer transactions, disclosed that attackers gained unauthorized access to its cloud systems. The breach exposed personal details of Ledger customers, including names and contact information.

Ledger was quick to clarify the scope: "This was not a breach of Ledger's platform, hardware or software systems, which remain secure."

That's technically true—but cold comfort for customers whose data was stolen regardless of which vendor dropped the ball.

The Supply Chain Problem

This incident exemplifies a trend that security professionals have been warning about for years: attackers don't need to breach your systems directly when your vendors offer an easier path. Third-party compromises accounted for a significant portion of breaches in 2025, and early indicators suggest 2026 will continue that pattern.

For cryptocurrency users, the implications extend beyond standard identity theft concerns. Attackers armed with names and contact information can craft highly targeted phishing campaigns, impersonating Ledger support or sending fake firmware update notifications.

Previous Ledger Incidents

This isn't Ledger's first rodeo with data exposure. In 2020, the company suffered a breach that leaked personal information of over 270,000 customers, including physical addresses. That breach spawned years of targeted phishing campaigns, with some users reporting receiving fake Ledger devices through the mail—complete with malware-laden firmware.

The pattern is concerning: even when Ledger's core wallet security holds, peripheral systems and partners create attack surfaces that threat actors exploit.

What's at Risk

The exposed data reportedly includes:

  • Customer names
  • Contact information (email addresses, phone numbers)
  • Transaction-related details

While cryptocurrency private keys stored on Ledger devices remain secure, the stolen information enables:

  • Targeted phishing: Convincing emails impersonating Ledger support
  • SIM swapping attacks: Armed with phone numbers and names, attackers can target mobile carriers
  • Social engineering: Detailed customer profiles enable pretexting calls
  • Physical security concerns: If addresses were exposed, high-value targets face real-world risks

Protecting Yourself

If you've purchased from Ledger, assume your information may be compromised and take these precautions:

  1. Treat all Ledger communications as suspicious. Access support only through official channels you navigate to directly—never through links in emails
  2. Enable phishing-resistant 2FA on all cryptocurrency exchanges and related accounts
  3. Never enter your recovery phrase anywhere except directly on your hardware device
  4. Be wary of unsolicited calls claiming to be from Ledger or crypto services
  5. Monitor for unauthorized account access across all crypto-related services

The Vendor Risk Reality

Companies like Ledger can implement flawless security on their core products while still exposing customers through third-party relationships. Every payment processor, shipping partner, and cloud service represents a potential breach vector.

For security-conscious cryptocurrency users, this creates an uncomfortable reality: the security of your digital assets may depend not just on your hardware wallet's cryptographic strength, but on the security posture of every company in your wallet provider's supply chain.

Moving Forward

Global-e and Ledger are likely conducting incident response and notification procedures. Customers should expect official communications about the breach—while remaining vigilant that attackers may attempt to exploit the situation by sending their own fake notifications.

The cryptocurrency security industry continues to face a fundamental challenge: users gravitate toward these products specifically for enhanced security, yet the companies selling them remain vulnerable to the same supply chain risks as any other business.


Ledger customers should monitor official communications through Ledger's verified channels and remain skeptical of any unsolicited contact claiming to be related to this breach.

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